From Debbie Nicholson…
Photo credit Epic Events
The Montane 20-mile Ullswater Race run by Epic Events follows the Ullswater Way around the lake, with a few detours to add in some hills (it’s actually 21.5 miles rather that 20; maybe they worry the extra 1.5 miles will put people off?!?). It’s an absolutely beautiful route, a mix of technical ground up the east side of the lake and then runnable trails around the top and down the west side (excluding Gowbarrow Fell and back down via Aira Force which will have you taking out whole families if you decide to ‘let go’ on the descent!). The route traverses below Gowbarrow Fell by a 100ft so we made a slight detour to add it onto the list of Wainwright ticks. There is a small section at the start and the end on road. It’s well organised with a couple of well-stocked food and water stations (think brownie, millionaire short-bread and Haribo), both of which had toilets too.
The day dawned bright and breezy (so not too hot) which was perfect for us. It was our longest race yet and we felt the pressure of getting round as we had both used it as an opportunity to raise money for Bradford Refugee Action. One of us remembered to put on sun cream; the other didn’t and is now sporting an amazing set of tape tan-lines to be proud of. The race starts and finishes on the lakeside field by the Steamer Pier in Glenridding; it was lovely to finish and sit on the beach (some even went for a post-race swim).
There is a 10-mile race at the same time that buses you to Pooley Bridge to do the return leg down the western side of the lake, if you fancy something shorter. And if you are a keen swimmer, you can stay onto the Sunday and do the Ullswater swim (3.8km, 1 mile and 500m options) the next morning. Definitely a route to recommend, either as the race or as a holiday run when you are next in the lakes (but you’ll need to remember your own cake).
(1 2:39:42 Jordan Skelly, Gainsborough&Morton Striders)
281 5:19:34 Debbie Nicholson
282 5:19:35 Felicity Tomblin
366 finished