Lakeland Trails™™ 08

"What a weekend and what a race. Really good carnival atmosphere with a Samba Drum band playing you off from the start, and music, beer tents, bouncy castles, climbing wall etc at the finish. In between there were some hair raising ascents and descents with some of the best views your likely to experience in a race. The weather was superb, the organisation faultless and the atmosphere amazing. I will definitely be back next year, but will make sure I do some proper hill training first!!" Cavey

 

"This has got to be one of the most scenic and fun races in the country - for the other contenders see the rest of the series... Fantastic! A really good day out for everyone, even if you don't have children. Party atmosphere from start to finish and a beautiful, well laid out trail in between. Nice touches such as the skeleton at the start of the coffin trail and the slogan on the finishers' t shirts. It IS a challenging race but that makes it all the more rewarding. Real buzz in the village too and I particularly liked the balloons guiding the way from the village to the arena. Thank you Grham and Claire - you've surpassed yourselves" Stepford Wife

 

"Fantastic event, will definitely be back next year. Good selection of pubs in Hawkshead." Ian Hughes

 

"Superb weather allied to excellent organisation and a quite brilliant opening drum band made this a memorable event" Roy Male

 

"Great family-oriented organising, and fabulous weather - and the drumming band were something else!" Tim Ratcliffe

 

"Truly inspiring Lakeland event set in some of the most amazing scenery in the country" Adam Critchley

 

"Fantastic day of races and very well organised. Well done everyone from all at Penny Lane Striders. Definitely see you next year" Happy Trotter

 

"Gorgeous scenery, really good trail running course, with great (but steep - make that v steep in places) ascents and some great decents. Brilliant atmosphere at the start and end." Charlie Smith

 

"What a race! The change of start and finish points worked really well and the drummers at the start - wow! My heart rate was 102 before I moved a step. The extra water station was a great addition, especially on a warm day. Thanks to all the organisers for a sterling event. I'd recommend this race (and the series) to anyone looking to try trail running in a friendly and supportive atmosphere." Chester Steve

 

"Amazing start with Brazilian drumming band who were fantastic. Well organised. Great route, although a bit of a tuff one." Lisa Richardson

 

"Superb atmosphere, great views, a real challenge accessible to all, and of course that famous Cumbrian sunshine made it a great day" Paul Chrisp

 

"Drums at the start fab, music halfway reminded me it was meant to be fun!" Peter Harrow

 

"Extreme climbs, suicidal downhills, scenery to die for - and no shame in walking. Who could ask for more." Thomas Giles

 

"Another great family day out. Literally something for everybody - from kids to slow runners/non-runners through us mere mortals and up to international class athletes. Another triumph of organisation by Graham and Claire. The addition of the Sport Trail - (not quite) 5k - to the already excellent mix of Challenge, Race and kids fun trails means there really is something for everybody. African drums to send us off, same challenging route as last year (as near as makes no difference), plenty to keep you there and entertained afterwards and a government minister to hand out the prizes all in the hot sunny version of the Lake District seen by too few. The whole family are already looking forward to next year. Roll on Garburn!" CumbrianAndy

 

"I was a spectator, having done the FLM the week before, but whole day was fantastic, from the organising of the event to the kiddies races, All in a perfect setting. I will be recommending these races to my club mates." LCDasher

 

"Fantastic day out for every one. Much harder than I expected. Fantastic, relaxed atmosphere. Band at the start were brilliant." Geoffo

 

"Well, that was quite challenging ..... but what excellent fun. What a wonderful day. The weather was perfect, the atmosphere friendly, the course interesting & challenging ... a triumph for the organisers. Loved the band & the prize giving as well, even though I missed out. [Was a bit worried at one point that I might be in danger of winning the free entry to the new event ..] The skeleton at the beginning of the coffin trail was a nice touch" Mudlark

 

"Marvellous!!!! What can I say... I ache like mad now but it was worth every ounce of effort. Glad to say I entered the Challenge not the race as was worried about being last - the atmosphere was great, like a street party and it made a great day for spectators and runners alike. Nice to see some class athletes there alongside plodders like myself. Will be back next year after some more hill work ;-)" Su2

 

"It's difficult to imagine a better race. Superb location, weather, organiation and atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyable and will definitely sign up for next year" Nick Lyons

 

"Ffantastic views and great atmosphere. Brilliant family day out" Martin Hibbert

 

"Graham and Claire managed to better 2006, without doubt one of the bext three of over a hundred races I've done in the pact few years. Simply outstanding...bring on Garburn! An event that has just about everything: wonderful location, challenging route, great cameraderie amongst runners & marshalls & organisers.... The series itself is a must on my race calendar after doing them all last year, and probably deserves all 4 to be in the RW top 10 races. Might have difficulty putting them in some sort of order though!" Phil Fortun

 

"A superb event with something for everyone. As my first go at "serious" trail racing, what better place to start than with this event? Everything about it was well nigh perfect. Great atmosphere at the start generated by the drum band, and well organised number collection in the start marquee. Course was never going to be easy in this part of the world, and I had some apprehension down a few of the downhill sections were you basically just trust to luck and your ankle support! But stunning views, and a real sense of enjoyment and camaraderie on the way round. I'll never forget the coffin trail. Finish area a little chaotic, and wasn't immediately clear where the water was (and sad to say it did run out at one point), but this is constructive comment and in no way detracts from my overall enjoyment of the event. I brought the family, and my two youngs boys had great fun on the climbing wall and were chuffed to win medals in the fun run (which was a great event to watch the kids). Organisers should be praised for the podium presentations at the end where they really did generate a homely, "feelgood" atmosphere. Can't believe how some parents can take their kids home before they had perhaps a once in a lifetime chance to be applauded for first/second/third place whilst stood on a medal podium. Unbelievable. Beat the traffic home, did you? Well done. Anyway, thanks to the other runners who couldn't be bothered to hang about....I won a great Falke jacket! Moral of the story - do this event, stay all day, bring your family, have fun. You'll be so glad you did. Thanks all for organising one of the toughest, but most enjoyable events I've ever taken part in. Deffo back next year. Roll on Garburn!" Simon Smith

 

" A great race in one of my favourite places in the world - bring on the next one!" Comfort not speed

 

"Simply one of the best places in the world to run!" Lil devil

 

"First Lakeland challenge, won't be my last. Trail race & Lake district should have given me a clue as to how hilly it was going to be but it was still a shock to the system! The atmosphere and scenery more than made up for it so count me in for the next one" Martin Bagshaw

 

"When I'm too old to run, I will look back on this event with fond memories!" Matthew Brown

 

"A great start to the best series of races in the world........................ever!" Kev scone

 

"One of the hardest races I've ever done and quite scary going downhill, but well worth it for the views. The weather was wonderful and the bouncy castle, children's races etc made it a great family day out. We'll be back next year." Etcetera

 

"The route was brilliant - difficult to beat scenery and views. Hilly, but that's why I did it! Great atmosphere at the finish - the kids races were fun too. A good family day out." Happy Running

 

"A fantastic race on a beautiful course, a credit to the organisers. The drums at the start just added to the great festival atmosphere around the event centre. The start of the race was fairly congested but with proper road closures didn't cause too much problem. It took me a few km to get into my stride and start enjoying the scenery. There was plenty of water at the 2 stations which I needed on such a warm day (nice to see the use of biodegradable cups!). The skeleton at the bottom of the coffin trail did make me smile and brought home the spirit of the event - I'm sure there were some fast times on the day from the pros but this really is an event to be enjoyed by everyone. Can't wait for the rest of the series." Ant Cooper

 

"Fantastic location & superbly well run. Probably the friendliest race I've attended." Osn

 

"This is so much more than a Trail Race. It's a fun day out for all the family with a race thrown in for good measure. A fantastic, well marshalled course, great facilities and top entertainment all wrapped up in chocolate box scenery. Looking forward to the next one." XB

 

"A splendid day, I can't think of many better ways of spending time in the Lakes. The complete package has been thought through too - from activities for children, through to a kit shopping opportunity. Thanks, Graham and Claire." Stephen Burrowes

 

"First ever trail run.The course was tough & quite a challenge espescially as it was such a hot day, but the scenary was awesome & the organisation was superb. I can't wait for the Garburn trail." Jarvo