Marathon,1/2 and Mini-10k in Coniston

8th June 2025

  1. Events
  2. Marathon, 1/2 & Mini-10k

Incredible views on the most scenic trail marathon in the country

The Lakeland Trails Marathon takes in a complete circuit of Coniston Water along fully marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways. Taking in the idyllic beauty spot of Tarn Hows and the elevated Beacon Tarn, the whole course gives panoramic views of Coniston Water and the surrounding peaks of the Old Man, Swirl How, Wetherlam and Dow Crags. Described by Runners' World magazine as 'the most scenic trail Marathon in Britain' this event is quickly becoming a classic European trail marathon.

For those wanting a shorter option, the Lakeland Trails Half Marathon utilises the first section of the marathon course as far as Tarn Hows, before heading back to Coniston.

Wanting a quick blast? The completely new Mini-Marathon 10k route will also take in Tarn Hows for maximum scenery delights!

We have a new venue this year, the Coniston Sports and Social Centre, and will be updating our maps and event information shortly.

A carnival atmosphere is guaranteed for both spectators and competitors, with live music, race commentary, food and drink all available at the start and finish. So, whether you're new to trail running, an experienced athlete, or simply looking for an unforgettable day out in the Lake District, a family-friendly, festival atmosphere and some amazing trail running awaits you!

Entry

Lakeland Trails Marathon Challenge Early Start

07.00am

£45

REGISTRATION IS ONLY OPEN ON THE SATURDAY FOR THIS START TIME - this is due to the early time and restrictions imposed on us by stakeholders. If you can only Register on the day itself, please choose a later start time. An event for less competitive runners and fitness walkers. If you want to take it easy and enjoy the views, this is the one for you. There is a time limit of 8 hours for the Challenge and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. Please note that prizes for the Marathon are only available to those in the 9am 'Race' start. It is no longer possible to order an event-specific t-shirt but we'll have a great selection of NEW general designs available on the day.

OPENS October

Lakeland Trails Marathon Challenge

08.00am

£45

An event for less competitive runners and fitness walkers. If you want to take it easy and enjoy the views, this is the one for you. There is a time limit of 7 hours for the Challenge and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. We would advise you register on the Saturday to get your race off to a relaxed start but Registration will also be open for a short time on the Sunday morning for this event. Please note that prizes for the Marathon are only available to those in the 9am 'Race' start. It is no longer possible to order an event-specific t-shirt but we'll have a great selection of NEW general designs available on the day.

OPENS October

Lakeland Trails Marathon Race

09.00am

£45

For the competitive runner, a well marked and marshalled course with fast, graded runnable climbs and descents for those used to off road running. There is a time limit of 6 hours for the Race and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. It is no longer possible to order an event-specific t-shirt but we'll have a great selection of NEW general designs available on the day.

OPENS October

Lakeland Trails Half Marathon Challenge

10.00am

£35

An event for less competitive runners and fitness walkers. If you want to take it easy and enjoy the views, this is the one for you. There is a time limit of 4 hours for the Challenge and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. Please note that prizes for the Half Marathon are only available to those in the 11am 'Race' start. It is no longer possible to order an event-specific t-shirt but we'll have a great selection of NEW general designs available on the day.

OPENS October

Lakeland Trails Half Marathon Race

11.00am

£35

For the competitive runner, a well marked and marshalled course with fast, graded runnable climbs and descents for those used to off road running. There is a time limit of 3 hours for the Race and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. It is no longer possible to order an event-specific t-shirt but we'll have a great selection of NEW general designs available on the day.

OPENS October

Mini Marathon 10k

11.15am

£29 / U25 £15

For both competitive and casual runners, a well-marked and marshalled 10K course with fast, graded runnable climbs and descents for those used to off road running. There is a time limit of 2 hours for the 10K and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. It is no longer possible to order an event-specific t-shirt but we'll have a great selection of NEW general designs available on the day.

OPENS October

Course Maps & Profiles

Further Information

If you're familiar with our Marathon and Half Marathon courses, you'll be pleased to know we've kept all of the bits on this year's revised routes and if you're new to the event, you'll soon see why the Marathon route was voted as the most picturesque trail marathon in the country by Runners' World!

We've kept all of the best bits, including a circuit of Tarn Hows, the undulating trail on the edge of Grisedale Forest running the length of Coniston Water and the stunning Beacon Tarn as you turn back and head home but do watch out for race route signs pointing in different directions to previous years!

The Mini-Marathon 10k route is completely new and we know you'll love it. Gone is the flat, boring section of cyclepath from previous years - it's replaced by a beautiful run through Tarn Hows woods, a circuit of the iconic tarns and a fast tree-lined descent to the event village. The views along the course are stunning!

Marathon, 1/2 and Mini-10k - Race Day

All of the pre-race information is now shown below rather than in an Event Guide to make it more accessible. Please take time to read this information.

The event requires over 50 marshals and stewards, so if you want to volunteer to help us in any way we would love to hear from you. Check out our volunteers' page for more details.

Can you fill your car with someone from your local club or car share? We've set up a Facebook group to help arrange that. Join that HERE to save money and emissions.

Send us a photo / screenshot of your public transport ticket to the event, or a photo of your bike in the event ground HERE and we'll randomly choose someone for a FREE entry.

Essential Information

We won't be holding a Safety Briefing as all of the ESSENTIAL information is covered below.

✅ Follow the postcode LA21 8AL to Coniston and then follow our car park signs

✅ All day parking is £5 for cars, £6 for vans

✅If the ground is soft, use LOW revs and set off in a straight line

❌Only SMALL vans (max. VW Transporter) are permitted on our event parking (anything bigger could get stuck at the entrance and cause problems for everyone else)

❌ NO EXIT before 1pm as both car parks have only one entrance / exit

✅ Race number to be collected on the day AT LEAST 45 minutes before your Start Time (the 7am start must collect theirs the day before between 2pm and 5pm)

✅Your race number must be attached HORIZONTALLY or the timing chip won’t be read

✅ Set off at your allocated time or you won't show on the Results

✅You can swap your entry to the Race, Challenge at least 45 minutes before the earliest Start Time of the two (e.g. if you want to swap from the 1pm Challenge to the 2pm Race, 12:15pm is the deadline).

✅To arrange this you can either: edit your entry online up to 6 days before the event, contact us up to the Wednesday beforehand or do it in person at Registration on event day. The deadline to defer or request a refund has passed.

✅ Carry your own water or bring your own cup for the water stations on course or by the marquee

✅ If you arrive at a closed gate, please close it behind you – there may be lambs in the fields

✅ If you find the terrain is tricky, be prepared to slow down so that you can negotiate it safely

❌No over ear or in ear headphones (bone conducting ones permitted)

❌Snot rockets or spitting on the course

❌No pushing past other runners

✅ Be considerate to other trail and road users - our events rely on the goodwill of others

✅ Have a wonderful day

Please note, registration for each race closes 45 minutes before your scheduled start time apart from the 7am Marathon Challenge (Registration ONLY open on Saturday for this)

Start Lists

Provisional Start Lists up to 16th May are available below. Final Start Lists will be published after entry has closed.

If you want to swap to a different contest, you can do so through your account HERE up until 6 days before the event. The deadline to defer or request a refund has passed.

Any later than that, please visit the Enquiries desk at Registration on the day, at least 45 minutes before the earliest start of your current and desired contest. e.g. if you'd like to swap from the 13:15 Challenge to the 14:00 Race, the cut-off would be 12:30.

Event Timetable
Sustainable Travel
Parking - very important
Registration
Start and Finish
Marathon Cut-off Times
Event T-shirts
Course Information
Water and Feed Stations
What to wear
Safety
Event Village
New to Lakeland Trails?
Children's Fun Trails
Exclusive Merchandise
Spectators
Event Photos
Après Trails Music and Prize Giving
Results and Prizes
Public Transport - Win a FREE entry!
Car Sharing - park for FREE!
Volunteers
Lost Property

Public Transport

With bus prices are capped at just £2 per journey all year, why not relax and take in the views along the route, save on the cost of parking and reduce your carbon footprint?

Coniston is on the 505 Bus Route from Kendal and the bus stop is only a few minute's walk from Coniston Sports and Social Centre. You can find the latest timetable HERE

Send us a photo of your public transport ticket for all or part of your journey and we'll award one lucky winner at each event with a FREE ENTRY to a future event. Email your photos HERE

Car Sharing

The environmental impact of travelling by car is much reduced if it's full so why not join up with your friends / running club members to travel together? There's always plenty to do in and around our venue and visiting local businesses helps support them too. Visit our Car Share group on Facebook HERE to start planning!