From Kate Archer…
This was my first (and quite possibly last) 100-mile event. The ‘Ultra Tour of the Lake District’ is a 105 mile trail circuit of the Lake District.
Although it doesn’t take in the tops, the course still manages to find 21,000ft of climb. Having run and thoroughly enjoyed the 50 last year, I decided to have a go at the ‘full’ distance.
The event field has the feel of a festival and there was a real buzz when I arrived in Coniston. I was quickly regretting my choice of the 100 which sets off at 6pm while those on the 50 mile event get to enjoy the evening and a good night’s sleep before setting off at 11:30 the next day. Stood on the start line with Ben Sheppard, I was really nervous, not helped by having been informed at the race briefing that only a little over 50% of runners would make it round.
I cannot say I enjoyed the first half of the race, I spent the first few hours deliberating with myself as to when I would pull out and at which checkpoint it would be easiest to do so. There was a really horrible boggy section where there were clouds of midges waiting and at this point I was wondering whether running is for me at all!
The miserable weather meant that the night section was long, especially when compared to the night of my Bob Graham round (that night it had been clear as anything). Then, heavy rain arrived in the early hours, but I was still running comfortably and felt buoyed when the light finally arrived.
At the halfway point (well 59 miles), you reach Dalemain which is the start of the 50 mile race and your drop bag awaits. A much-needed change into dry socks and shoes, suncream applied (wishful thinking on my part), a bowl of soup and I was on my way. From here I knew the course well and started to enjoy myself.
The next few checkpoints came and went (all 14 checkpoints are manned by enthusiastic volunteers, usually in fancy dress, who greet you on arrival and ask what you need). I was eating plenty at each stop and feeling good, with just a little discomfort in one knee. The 50 runners started to pass me (the leading runners were flying – did they not know the race is 50 miles!) with each one congratulating me and commenting that I was running well – the compliment never became wearing despite hearing it hundreds of times!
Great to see Andrew Merrick supporting in his usual spot, a friendly face offering words of encouragement as I attempted to run the flat section to Chapel Stile. By the time it got dark for the second time I knew I was nearing the finish and really started to believe I could do it. I just had to dig in for the last steep climb. I had no idea where I was position wise, but I had seemed to be passing other 100 runners. Just before the last descent into Coniston I saw a small group of 100 runners ahead including one woman and the race was on for the final run in! I think that took my mind off the pain of running downhill on tarmac. I crossed the line in 29:38 and 5th F. So happy and such a relief to finally stop running.
Well done to Ben who finished in a fantastic time of 28:46 and with a massive pb.
From Ben Sheppard…
Congratulations to Kate Archer for an incredible performance at the Lakeland 100, finishing fifth lady in 29:38 on her first go at the 100-mile distance!
The race was won by Andy Berry (who earlier this year broke the Lake District 24-hour fell record) in 20:03 and the ladies race was won by renowned long-distance fell specialist Sabrina Verjee in 23:00.
Both are mind-blowing times for a race with a total distance of 105 miles (which is not very amusing by the time your watch tells you you’ve done the 100 miles and you just want it to be over) and 21,000ft (6,300m) of ascent (and descent, as my quads remind me). It starts in Coniston where the event atmosphere is incredible, and for roughly half the runners finishes there too (there were 380 finishers out of 750 entrants). It takes you on a scenic tour of the Lake District punctuated with 14 manned checkpoints – thank you to all the marshals who give up their time and help make the experience so amazing!
I was fortunate to suffer no major mishaps in my race. Sure, I could have been fitter and better trained, but my preparation, planning and kit selection seemed to turn out OK and the weather was better than expected – just a bit blustery at times and a couple of hours of rain. I had some low points and some issues with eating too much or the wrong things at checkpoints but I managed to maintain a steady pace, consistently edging slightly ahead of my 2021 splits, sometimes running with one or two other runners for quite long stretches while the miles ticked away.
A full change of kit at Dalemain (60 miles), including the bliss of dry socks and shoes, was welcome. Jack Wood popped up at Howtown to cheer me on, having run out from Pooley Bridge where he missed me because I was ahead of schedule. The slog up Fusedale and then the trudge along the edge of Haweswater Res began to take their toll as Saturday wore on. By Kentmere the legs were painful but morale was boosted in Ambleside and again at Elterwater where Emma and the kids were supporting.
The wheels were falling off by this stage but unlike 2021 I rallied in the final two sections, mysteriously summoning what I could swear was an actual sprint finish coming off Tilberthwaite fell and into Coniston as I override the safety switch and hung on to the tails of a sprightly L50 racer. The sight of my family among the supporters lining the main street nearly turned me into a blubbering wreck before I crossed the finish line in 28:46. I was delighted to have cut 65 minutes from my previous time but my overwhelming emotion was utter relief to be finished. It is such an incredible race I don’t ever want to do it again.