24^th September 2017

The Festival of the Fells in Ambleside asked us to put on a 'NEW' trail race for their event this last September and so we've come up with this little course! Fully marked, a great mix of trail and fell and organised by a professional organisation who bring you races such as the 'Lakes Sky Ultra'.

Starting at Rothay Park, the race route follows the footpath straight through the park and heads North East once over the bridge to come out opposite the University of Cumbria. It then follows the pavement/road past the Climbers Shop and Bilbo's Cafe to start the main ascent up the Stockghyll Force road and onto Wansfell. Ascending by the main footpath from Ambleside to the summit of Wansfell Pike, you will have burning lungs and legs.

Once the summit is reached you will be glad of a short break for the legs until you start the undulations go the summit ridge which seem much tougher after the main ascent! This leads to the summit of Wansfell and a 'Wainwright' for all you baggers, and the start of the first descent! Marked, but fell running in essence, you weave your way down a steep descent before taking the soft ground to the walled 'Hundreds Lane' and the new footpath to the start of the second ascent.

The second ascent is no easier, as tired legs and 'runable' terrain allow for a those with the fitness and skills to take this in 'their stride' (make no mistake, it is tough although not so far in distance). On reaching Wansfell Pike for a second time you will be directed down one of the best descents in the Lakes. The footpath is narrow and slippy in places, care will be needed by those not used to off road descending, but if you have the skills the race can be won or lost on this technical, but amazingly flowing and fun part of the course. On reaching the 'Kiln' at the bottom of the descent you will be treated with a typical wooden 'Lakeland Style' to cross, a good one for crampy legs!

Now enter a different realm, from fell to woodland trails and these ones are perfect. Follow single track into the woods and some very technical terrain to start with and then join the main footpath (same as the L100/50) to come out opposite the large garden centre in Ambleside and then follow the L100/50 route back to the park and your 'GLORY' finish.

**This is a marked course, with a mix of road (not more then 20%), trails and single track (30%), open fell (40%) and woodland trails (10%). The whole course is marked and marshaled well throughout.

Location

Parish Centre, Vicarage Road, Ambleside LA22 9DH

Timetable

Registration: 08:00 until 09:30

Race briefing: 09:50 until 09:59

Race start: 10:00

Entry fees

£20 per runner plus a small administration fee (**).

The minimum age limit for the run is 16 but we will allow runners 12 and above to enter provided they are accompanied throughout by an adult. Please contact charlie@mountainrun.co.uk if you would like to qualify for this age category.

** A booking fee of 75p per entrant will be added together with a small per-order charge (approximately 1.25%) to cover the cost of processing your debit or credit card.