Dare to believe, Easingwold Running Club at Scafell Sky Race.

The Scafell Sky Race is based out of Langdale in the Lake District and takes place at the end of May each year. It is a race designed to test the speed, technical running skills and endurance of experienced mountain runners. With 38km of mountainous terrain, 2800m of ascent, 7 Wainwrights and a jog up Scafell Pike in the mix, all on technical, single-track, this is an event to be reckoned with!

Three members of ERC of questionable judgment - Helen Spring, Cath Howell-Walmsley and John Howell-Walmsley, popped their heads above the parapet and decided to give this daunting challenge a shot. Each devised their own training plan and despite the challenges of everyday life and other sporting endeavours they stuck to them as best they could. Saturday 31 May saw our gallant trio stood at the start line about to put those training plans to the test whilst nervously fighting off the self-doubt and trying to focus on the small flickering flame of self-belief. 

The race got underway with a brutal near-vertical very technical off-piste ascent and then descent of Harrison Stickle, this was a mark of how things would be for the team. It was also where Cath HW sprained an ankle but by now she was fully committed to the race so tightened up her shoe laces and carried on. There were thrills and spills for each throughout the demanding and difficult 8-10 hours to come, and to keep things interesting the weather gods threw high winds and heavy rain at them throughout the day.

The results, stats (15% of starters never made it to the finish line) and aching bodies, whilst an achievement for the club, cannot capture the sense of pride, relief and the prolonged runner’s high that our three experienced. Honourable mention to ERC member Dave Todd who helped set the course, manned a feed station and safety swept the 2nd half of the course, but equally importantly helped settle the nerves of the ERC team at the start. 

Results. 

Cath Howell-Walmsley 8:41:02 104/182 F50-54 3rd 

John Howell-Walmsley 10:01:28 142/182 M55+ 8th

Helen Spring 10:28:12 148/182 F45-49 2nd