"Will the boats sail?" is a running joke with the Lakeland Trailers as the weather can prevent them from sailing - we even had too much water one year! We've been lucky in the last 3 years and you can't beat the stunning complimentary cruise along Ullswater to the start of the run, enjoying a classic performance from singer/songwriter Pete Lashley on the way.
We have two, recently improved, stunning contingency routes (which people enjoyed in 2017 and 2018) so you can still enjoy the stunning trails along Ullswater's eastern shore and up to the viewpoint of Silver Crag just in case we can't get on the boats. At Side Farm, the 14k course will give you a challenge as you climb up to Boredale Hause, before an exhilerating descent back down to the Patterdale Valley with breathtaking views.
We'll also have live music from Boom Dang and Pete Lashley, 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, atmosphere and some amazing trail running awaits you!
09:00 Sailing
£30 / U25 £15
A shorter distance event for everyone over the age of 16, on a well marked and marshalled course, with graded runnable climbs and descents. There is a time limit of 2 1/2 hours and to enter you must be at least 16 years old. You will have the option to add a t-shirt to your entry for just £12.50. Checkout the News article and Ts and Cs for more information. Please note that there will be one t-shirt for the weekend so only add one if you're running on both days!
10:30 Sailing
£30 / U25 £15
An event for less competitive runners and fitness walkers. If you want to take it steady and enjoy the views, this is the one for you. There is a time limit of 3 1/2 hours for the Challenge and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. Please note that prizes for the 14k are only available to those in the 1.30pm 'Race' sailing. You will have the option to add a t-shirt to your entry for just £12.50. Checkout the News article and Ts and Cs for more information. Please note that there will be one t-shirt for the weekend so only add one if you're running on both days!
12:00pm Sailing
£30 / U25 £15
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 3 hours for the Challenge and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. Please note that prizes for the 14k are only available to those in the 1.30pm 'Race' sailing. You will have the option to add a t-shirt to your entry for just £12.50. Checkout the News article and Ts and Cs for more information. Please note that there will be one t-shirt for the weekend so only add one if you're running on both days!
13:30 Sailing
£30 / U25 £15
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 2 hours for the Race and to enter you must be at least 18 years old. You will have the option to add a t-shirt to your entry for just £12.50. Checkout the News article and Ts and Cs for more information. Please note that there will be one t-shirt for the weekend so only add one if you're running on both days!
08.00 Car Park opens
08.00 Registration opens in the main marquee
09.00 Ullswater Trail Run 10k Sailing (time limit 2 1/2 hrs)
10.30 Ullswater Trail Challenge 14k Sailing (time limit 3 1/2 hrs)
12.00 Ullswater Trail Challenge 14k Sailing (time limit 3 hrs)
13.30 Ullswater Trail Race 14k Sailing (time limit 2 hrs)
14.30 Fun Trails with Zeraffa the Giraffe
15.00 Live Performance by Singer / Song-writer Pete Lashley
16.00 Prize giving & spot prize giving
This event requires lots of 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.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT Nearly all of our runners are kind, courteous and friendly and follow our instructions so venues look forward to us coming. It was a HUGE challenge to secure parking last year because just a couple of people didn’t read the information about car parking and were abusive towards volunteers at the car park.
If this happens again, it will impact on everyone next year. Car parking will be CASH ONLY and £5 per car in our official car park. All money goes straight to the venue.
Camper vans, whatever the size, must be parked in the main pay and display car park in the village – no ifs, buts or maybes.
No exit before 1pm
Car Parking will be at King George V Playing Fields. Use the postcode CA11 0US (our event venue) to get you to Glenridding then follow our signs.
If our main carpark is full, we have a couple of overflow options in the village where payment may be different.
In the advent of adverse weather conditions preventing use of our designated areas, we will operate a Park and Ride service and communicate plans via email and Facebook.
All Race Numbers must be collected from Registration in the main marquee on race day.
Registration opens at 8:00am on Sunday - you can collect your number up to 45 minutes before your allocated start time.
Start Lists won’t be on display in the marquee but are available above and we will confirm your number by email a couple of days before the event.
If you forget what your number is, you can check it on a tablet in Registration.
If you’ve got any questions about your entry, please go to the Enquiries desk on the right-hand side of the main marquee and a friendly face will help you.
There will be a baggage storage adjacent to the main marquee.
Please note there are no entries on the day and entries are not transferrable. Runners competing with someone else's number will be disqualified and will not be eligible for prizes or appear in the results.
We will also prevent them from taking part in future Lakeland Trails events, such is the safety risk if something were to happen to a person whose details we don’t have on our system.
On Sunday, the boats will sail promptly from Ullswater Steamers pier, adjacent to Jenkin’s Field. Please make sure you’re there 10-15 minutes before the scheduled sailing time so your compulsory kit can be checked.
Once everyone has disembarked and congregated in Howtown, we will Start the timing and you will run back to Glenridding on some stunning trails.
If the boats are unable to sail, we will start our contingency routes in Jenkin’s Field. Please note, the alternative 14k Challenge route has a big hill towards the end.
The finish is under our inov-8 gantry in Jenkin's Field. When you cross the finish line, it’s really important that your whole number is clearly visible – there are various events on the day, and failure to display your number fully will result in disqualification.
Once you’ve finished, you’ll go through the main marquee to collect your specially designed gender-specific Lakeland Trails T-shirt (we’ll give you a couple of minutes to get your breath back if needed!).
If you’ve chosen the BiodiversiTee option (your number will have a green background if this is the case), please just walk straight through and don’t be tempted to collect a t-shirt (some people have been doing this which means those expecting them have missed out).
All courses will be well marked and marshalled by our magnificent Lakeland Trails volunteers, all of whom work hard to make your run as enjoyable and safe as possible.
The courses have a variety of terrain, mainly beautiful, scenic trails with short sections of tarmac. Please stay alert near roads and keep in on the short section near the finish on each day.
There are quite a few rocky and rooty sections on the course which may be slippery!
If you think the terrain is too tricky, it’s fine to slow down or walk! Some gates on the course may not be staffed so if you arrive at a closed gate, please close it after you – we want any livestock to stay in the right place. Please put any litter in your pocket until you reach a bin.
Please stay alert at the road crossing close to the finish. Our marshals don’t have authority to stop traffic, so please be prepared to slow down and wait if necessary.
VERY IMPORTANT: DOGS AREN’T ALLOWED ON THE COURSE
October can be cold & wet; frost is not uncommon and there may even be some snow. On Saturday’s Helvellyn Trail you are advised, and may be required, to carry the items listed below as being compulsory for the Ullswater Trail.
On Sunday’s Ullswater Trail, every competitor MUST carry with them a hat / Buff, gloves, waterproof jacket and over-trousers or running tights. Everyone will be kit checked before boarding and there will be no exceptions.
We recommend you wear suitable inov-8 trail running shoes.
Event Advanced Life Support Medics from Event Safety Group will be in attendance and our in-house Comms Team will provide radio coverage to the marshals and crew. The medics priority is medical emergencies and more severe injuries. With that in mind, they may not be able to help you with minor cuts and scrapes that you’d normally be able to sort out yourself.
We'll also have Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team on hand with their new boat, which we helped buy. This is just in case we need to get to anyone on the opposite side of the lake quickly.
If you are unable to finish your event and need to retire, you must report to the finish line or an event marshal and hand in your race number.
Please remember to treat fellow runners, members of the public, our volunteers and crew with respect. We want everyone to have an enjoyable day!
Our partner, inov-8, will have their experts on hand to talk to you about their latest products, with Pete Bland Sports selling a wide range of inov-8 products and race essentials with great discounts on all inov-8 footwear and clothing – even their current season products.
There will be some great food and drink stalls including exciting offerings from our local caterers. Our regular caterers include Fiery Mammas Pizza, Bandito Burrito and Mansergh Hall Hog Roast, with great coffees from The Coffee Bug and Fellside Coffee. We sometimes have guest traders too! We use all small local businesses who sell locally sourced food.
Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team will be onsite showing off their new boat which we have helped to fund.
A PA system with race commentary from our fantastic MC will keep you informed of progress of runners and give you a warm welcome as you cross the finish line!
Portable loos and a urinal unit are also on site.
We have a fantastic selection of merchandise available, including hoodies, long sleeved technical t-shirts and Big Bobble Hats. Check out our SHOP page for further information.
We'll have some great deals on end of line products.
All children Under 12 have the chance to run alongside, or maybe even in front of, Zeraffa, the long-lost cousin of the late and much-loved Gerry the Giraffe and experience the buzz of racing. Entry is only available on the day and is free for competitors’ children. All the children are rewarded with a special finishers’ medal.
Please note: If the weather's bad, we might have to cancel this Race to avoid soaked children!
The legendary Singer / songwriter Pete Lashley will be performing live on the Ullswater Steamers AND for an hour with Prize Giving following on afterwards. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow competitors, the organising and marshalling teams.
There will still be a great range of Spot Prizes up for grabs. We’ll choose the winning numbers at random during our Prize Giving ceremony where you’ll be in with a chance of winning a free race entry, tickets to a Lake District attraction or inov-8 vouchers.
Results will appear LIVE on the Results section on our website.
Prizes are awarded to the following:
Trail Run 10k and Trail Race 14k
First 3 Men & Women and V40, V50, V60, V70, V80
Veteran Classes: First Man & Woman (V40, V50, V60, V70, V80)*
All prize winners receive a free entry into the following year's event and an inov-8 voucher.
With the exception of V60 and V70, competitors need to take part in the Trail Race 14k to be eligible for a prize. V60 and V70 competitors can take place in the Challenge.
*If a Vet is placed in the overall results, they will receive the Senior Prize only and a prize will not be awarded for that Vet category.
We do not post prizes out.
Why not relax and take in the stunning scenery along the route, save on the cost of parking and reduce your carbon footprint?
Glenridding is on the 508 Bus Route from Penrith - perfect to link up with the West Coast Mainline trains. The bus stopis only a few minute's walk from Jenkin's Field. 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 before the Monday after the event.
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!