Lake District 3x3000 Ultra Trail
4th October
2014

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Official Result

Richard Beard 13.25.21 1st MV60


This event was run for the first time this year by High Terrain events as part of the new UK Sky Runner  series.  It set out from Keswick on a circuit of 3 of the Lake District 3,000 ft tops, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn & Skiddaw.  I had worried about navigation, but while some competitors managed to stray from the route, on the whole it was well marked with flags, arrows and marshalls

After weeks of dry weather it was all change on Friday with the arrival of 3 inches of rain on the Fells overnight into Saturday.  It was so wet that when I got up at 3.30am that 3 frogs had taken shelter in the kitchen of the cottage we were renting, one swimming around in the dogs water bowl!

At five o'clock we (200 of the 300 pre-entered competitors) were off into the darkness heading towards Ashness bridge & Watendlath tarn. The path soon reduced to single track and disappeared for long stretches under deepening  waters as we headed up the valley.  There are some atmospheric photos on the event Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/High-Terrain-Events/159303790748264?sk=wall).  It was a relief to turn up onto the path over to Rosthwaite and higher/drier ground.

By the first food station at Seathwaite dawn was approaching and the rain easing.  Shortly after we turned at Stockley Bridge to climb towards Styhead where the planned route should have continued via the ''Corridor'  to the top of Scafell Pike ,the first top of the day.  'Unfortunately' due to the weather conditions this was abandoned and we were diverted directly across to Esk Hause.  Then on over Stake Pass, High Raise and down through the Wyth Burn valley through 'The Bog' .  This was a nightmare of boulders and bog with every step a lottery as to how deep your foot was going to sink.  I found it impossible to get into any sort of rhythm and arrived at the road shattered.  It was a relief to take a break at the second feed station and start the ascent of Helvellyn on firmer ground.

The clouds began to break and glorious views opened up all around as we headed north along the ridge.  The weather now set fair, apart from a couple of painfull hail showers, 'til the finish.  From Clough Head it was down and across to Latrigg car park followed by a loop around and back over Skiddaw (some were tempted to miss this out).  From the top of Skiddaw there were just 5 miles of running, downhill all the way, to the finish back in Keswick.  Altogether a challenging day, both in terms of weather and terrain, that provided a great sense of achievement marred only slightly by the loss of Scafell Pike on the way.