Phil's Memories of Staveley

I first visited the Kentmere valley, home of Lakeland Trails in Staveley, in 1998.  Living close to the Lake District, it was the easiest area to access for some great mountain biking.  Little did I know that I’d be running on some of those same trails 16 years later and then organising the events 5 years after that. 

One of my late, dear friends, a wonderful lady called Charm Robson kept on running late into her 70s (and was very put out when she was latterly in hospital because ‘what they don’t understand is that I’m a runner).

When I had a lesser role in Lakeland Trails, and speed in my legs, my challenge was always to try and catch Charm.  Like so many runners, she would set off in the Challenge – exactly the same route as the ‘Race’ but with an additional hour to complete.  I was never fast enough to be competing at the front of the field in the Race so that was my goal. 

I’m sure it caused some people concern when they heard me shout, ‘Come on you old biddy!’ as I approached her (she was even celebrated as ‘Phil’s favourite old biddy’ as she crossed the line once) but it was always in good humour.  Charm told me once that when she was running a half marathon in Jordan, what she described as the toughest she’d done, it was the thought of me hollering behind which kept her motivated.

It’s the characters like Charm who really help to make the events what they are.  Only one person can win, but everyone can achieve a goal, escape a problem, or just enjoy running (or walking) with a group of friendly, like-minded people in the beautiful areas we run in.

By setting the elite Race runners off an hour behind the recreational Challenge runners (and walkers), nobody starts and finishes at the back without seeing another person.  Everyone has a chance to be given a few words of encouragement and feel their efforts are appreciated.

Staveley was also the place, in 2019, where I remember having my ear bent by the partner of the previous owner.  We’d just started talking about me buying Lakeland Trails.  Leaning on the playground fence looking across at a field of happy runners, all the dedicated crew and enthusiastic volunteers, it was an easy choice for me to make.

Ever since I ran my first event in 2013, the sense of community at the events, the sense of achievement, the memories and friends made, Lakeland Trails had played a huge part in my life.  Knowing that the events continue to mean as much to so many people as they do to me give me a huge sense of pride and privilege.

If you’ve got a memory of the events that you’d like to share, why not get in touch?