From Nicky Liptrot…
At the Lakeland trails Coniston weekend there are events running across Saturday and Sunday to cater for all, with the marathon and half marathon on the Sunday. Lakeland Trails offer both a race option and a challenge option, with an earlier start and more generous cut off times. I opted for the marathon challenge on Sunday, having done the half marathon in previous years and really enjoyed it. This was my first marathon event, and my aim was simply to appreciate the views and get round! I had done enough (but not excessive!) training and was lucky to do most of my long training runs with fellow Ilkley Harriers, which really helped!
On the day, the route was just as advertised, with stunning views of the surrounding peaks, taking in a complete circuit of Coniston Water, Tarn Hows and the elevated Beacon Tarn. To achieve the views however quite a bit of climb was necessary, with 3,400 feet of elevation. The route is mainly on tracks and trail, with some fast steep climbs and fast descents. I started off very steadily and walked the steeper hills to conserve my energy, so managed to thoroughly enjoy the first 22 miles! The weather was perfect, not too warm, with only a couple of very light rain showers and this made going underfoot very good generally, with only one boggy section around Beacon Tarn. The challenging part (as I had been warned) was at around mile 22 when the route dipped down to the shores of Coniston and through a wooded area, as the tree roots made it very tricky going for a couple of miles, on tired legs! Delighted to be out of the woods without tripping, I ran the final 2.5 miles with a fellow runner from Lancaster, which was a massive boost as we had both felt pretty spent, but this gave us both strength to push on for a strong finish!
The organisation of the event was excellent, the course was very well signposted, with frequent and brilliantly stocked food/drink points and marshals were superb. I thoroughly recommend this event hope to be back! I managed to finish in 5:06:32 and was 7th of 66 ladies, which I was delighted with. Fellow Ilkley Harrier Helen Thurston also ran the marathon that day, but unfortunately I didn’t see her, as she opted for the race and finished in a fantastic 4:10:59!