Lakeland Ultra 50 - Saturday 28th July 2012

Having run the Ultra Tour Lake District (UTLD) 100 last year I was looking to running the sister 50 mile race. Paired up with Kath Aubrey (Helm Hill) our training, levels of fitness and injury situation had not been great in the build up to the race; however, we are both strong runners and very determined, this was to prove useful.

Having registered and watch the UTLD 100 mile race set-off on the Friday evening, we met at Coniston in time for the mandatory safety briefing; not much new here but a couple of useful pointers regarding the route, particularly where it differed slightly from 2011.

An hour’s bus ride to Dalmain House and a 12pm start is not the best of preparation, it is difficult to gauge food intake and a queue for the loos (and lack of them) meant time was tight; in fact, the start line had already swelled by hundreds of runners and we sneakily managed a front row start.

An initial, led and flagged 4 mile loop of Dalmain was required to make the race 50 miles in length; however, having been led the wrong way and doubling back, we were, very, soon back at Dalmain; no way was that 4 miles ! Then on with the route proper, I knew this well and only once grabbed for my map as a double check.

Climbing out of Pooley Bridge we saw Charlie and Nic (Outdoor Warehouse), they cheered us on and took photos. Charlie had hoped to run the 50 but had spent all night manning the Buttermere Checkpoint for the 100 milers, he decided then running 50 miles was perhaps not the best plan !

Although Kath was not feeling on top form we ran well and were soon at the Howtown checkpoint, a quick drink and some food and we were back out heading to Fusedale and then Haweswater. This is the highest section of the route, I explained to Kath what lay ahead (for this section), she later told me that she thought I had explained the whole route so had only been expecting one climb…yeah, yeah !

We took it steadily, I could see Kath was finding this section hard but we pushed on and soon dropped to Haweswater and then the long undulating run along the shore to the checkpoint at Mardale Head. Although warm in the sun, there were often drizzly showers but not enough for a soaking. The climb from Mardale to the top of Gatescarth Pass is tough but words of encouragement from some Dallam runners helped us along.

From the summit lies a long run down into Longsleddale and then up and over to Kentmere; we were now on familiar terrain and the checkpoint at Kentmere provided us with welcome refreshments. Russ, who had unfortunately decided to not start the race due to injury, met us on the Garburn Pass, again it spurred us on to have some company and words of encouragement.

Up to Troutbeck and then around Robin Lane and Jenkin Woods brought us to Ambleside where Kath’s son, Jacob, was to cheer us on. The welcoming crowd in Ambleside was great and having names on our race numbers meant that we received even more support.

As Jacob pointed out, I had 4 pieces of cake and 4 cups of flat coke at the checkpoint in the Lakes Runner, great stuff – just the fuel I needed for the last 16 miles. Down through the park and then over the lower shoulder of Loughrigg brought us to Skelwith; no time for coffee and cakes in Chester’s today, we were on a mission. Heavy showers and dark sky were now upon us and we decided that jackets would be sensible, it was also cooler.

Through Elterwater and then along to Chapel Stile; the checkpoint this year had moved further down the track and seem to take ages to come into view. The guys and girls here were great; I feasted on stew and bananas and we were put out by a 100 mile competitor who thought that Kath was threatening her 3^rd place position…everyone else, 50 or 100 milers and all checkpoint staff were great all the way through.

We had run this section together several times and knew it well. Along pass the campsite and the climb up to Blea Tarn; a slight change this year was a compulsory checkpoint on the Wrynose Pass road to prevent runners cutting the corner, but as the race organiser pointed out at the briefing, cutting the corner could result in being swallowed up by a bog !

Now heading to Tilberthwaite, we passed Lawrence who was in the 100; he was suffering, we gave words of encouragement, there was little more we could do; I knew he would dig deep and make it to the finish (he did). A quick stop at the last checkpoint and we made sure that our headtorches were to hand; we would need them but, fortunately, not for long. It must have been about 21:30 when we left and we had just the 4 miles section to the finish.

Towards the top of the climb we switched our headtorches on, mine being so bright meant that my running behind Kath did no more than cast a shadow for her and resulted in her not being able to see where she was going…..my turn to be in front (the new Petzl Nao…..great headtorch). Fast running led down through the Copper mine valley and just as I expected, Kath picked up the pace; we stormed past several other runners who later said they tried to stay with us but couldn’t! Into Coniston and joined by Kath’s boys we sprinted to the finish. 10 hours 25 mins and 1^st Mixed Pair, a great result; Kath ran so well despite not feeling her best, a real achievement.

Having won an entry into next year’s race we may need to come back…..but will it be for the 50 mile race or the 100 ???