Coniston Trail Marathon
3rd July 2011

 

Official Result

Carl Furness 5.04.32

 

I did the Coniston trail marathon this weekend. I love trail runs and I love the Lake District so thought this would be a great run. (And also on my birthday.)
 

It started in the village of Coniston on a very hot sunny day. We then set off up the hills toward old man (a large mountain) but lucky not up it. Past lots of woodland until we got to a smaller lake called Tarn Hows. We did a full lap of this lake before going further up. We then hit some slate fells which would have been hard to walk up let alone run. Then we came down some fells which was really tough on the knees.

We got to a clearing and followed a river for a bit before having to cross it. The council decided to take the bridge down a few weeks ago so we had to wade over up to our knees in water.

We finally got to the far side on Lake Coniston. Being nearly 6 miles long it was still a long way to the finish. We went through some boggy marsh land where I had my foot up to my ankle in mud at one point. I was really suffering and had to walk for a bit to the fourth and final feed station. I had taken my hydration rucksack with me as this is what was recommended. Just as well,  I needed it on the way round. I topped up on energy drinks and Kendal mint cake which was at each station. This gave me just enough energy to get to the finish.

Over 2000 feet of ascent and I was just short of my sub five hours I was hoping for. Oh well, I loved the race and will hopefully be doing it next year. (This time in sub 5.)

 

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