Hello and welcome along to the Easingwold Running Club corner and this time, we’re going to here from Sam Davies and Neil King, both whom took part in the epic adventure that is the Lakeland 50. Over to you Sam…
“The Lakeland 50 (in the Lake District) forms part of a big weekend comprising of a Lakeland 1 (for the children), Lakeland 50 and Lakeland 100. That’s all in miles, not kilometres or metres!
It always takes part on the last weekend in July, with the Lakeland 50 starting on the Saturday morning from the northern end of Ullswater within the Dalemain Estate and finishing in Coniston. The good news is that it isn’t actually 50 miles, it’s closer to 49! There was a girl that Neil and I met on the bus who was very disappointed by this news and was going to “run around the car park” to make the distance up to 50 miles. That was not my plan. The bad news is that it does have 3,000 metres (almost 10,000 feet of elevation). The equivalent of climbing Mount Snowdon three times.
To run in the Lakeland 50 every participant needs to enter a ballot on the 1st of September to gain entry for the following year and surprisingly enough a lot more people apply than the 1,500 entries that are available. I managed to get a place last year and it became my first ever 50-mile race in 2023 and somehow Neil convinced me that I should run again this year. They have a different theme each year and once I learned that 2024 was Top Gun, I was in, my call name already decided and excited that I might earn my coveted wings.
Training had gone OK, with a gradual increase in weekly miles to peak around 50 miles per week for a good 6 weeks and either hill repetitions or races acting as some speedwork. I also try to include one or two strength sessions per week, although that’s the first thing to go if I’m busy or simply can’t be bothered and fancy lying on the sofa!
On the weekend itself Neil and I drove across on the Friday, put up our tents (yes, you camp as well), waved the crazy 100 mile competitors off to the tune of Nessun Dorma and managed to get through kit check. Neil himself was one of the crazy competitors that I waved off a year ago and amazingly managed to run/hike the full Lakeland 100 mile course. He clearly enjoyed it and entered the 50 ballot last September for this year. The mandatory kit includes things like full length waterproofs, first aid kit, head torch and something to carry food/water in. After eating, it was time to try and get some sleep.
The Saturday morning started quite leisurely, getting some breakfast and making our way to the coaches that would take us up to the Dalemain Estate. This is where Neil often implements his “3 P rule”. Some of you will know what this means and for the others, I’ll let you ask Neil! I was getting quite nervous at this point, in part because it had pelted it down with rain all morning and didn’t look like stopping. We were laughing on the coach as it looked like everywhere else in the UK was under glorious sunshine. Our coach then got stuck on one of the tight roads which all added to the nerves but luckily for us the organisers delayed the start time a little and then the rain stopped. Someone must have been looking over us.
The race itself was hard work (I’m not sure why that still surprises me!) I enjoyed lots of it, including the first part going over to Howtown but then you’ve got some tough climbs up Fusedale and out of Mardale Head. The route then visits some amazing places, including Long Sleddale, Kentmere, Ambleside, Langdale and Tiberthwaite before the final climb up “Jacobs ladder” to Coniston. The atmosphere through the main towns was amazing, with lots of spectators lining the streets and cheering you on.
The route itself isn’t marked (there is a GPX file you can download) and there are plenty of fellow competitors to follow. Around 2,000 in total, including the 100 mile competitors who join the 50 route at Dalemain. There are six check points along the way, stocked with food and drinks to keep you going. The volunteers are there to support you as soon as you arrive, which becomes very important towards the end when you’re not really sure what’s going on anymore. I managed to drink around 6 litres of water/flat coke but no, I didn’t go to the loo once! I can’t speak for Neil. I also had 7/8 gels, a flapjack, two sandwiches and a lot of fruit. I tend to take some gels and bars with me and then eat whatever I fancy from the check points. I always hope that that is what my body needed at the time. Lots of people suffer from tummy problems during ultras, so practising what works for you beforehand in training is key and maybe taking some Imodium on the day just in case!
The last mile of the Lakeland 50 is on a good path and slightly downhill which has tended to be one of my fastest of the race. This year I was convinced that another girl was gaining on me in the closing miles, and I was determined not to be overtaken that close to the finish (I shouldn’t have worried as it ended up being a bloke wearing pink shorts!) You then arrive at the finish and get “presented” to whoever is inside the marquee at the end, who all cheer and congratulate you. After finishing, I tried to eat something and collapsed into my tent. The cheering carried on all through the night with both Lakeland 50 and 100 competitors finishing all the way up until the presentation, that takes place at mid-day on the Sunday. The presentation is fun, with lots of people kitted out in their Top Gun gear and the race organiser recounting stories of various people completing either the Lakeland 50 or 100 under extra ordinary circumstances. It really is inspiring.
The Lakeland 50 is an amazing event. I would call it the London Marathon of ultra runs, with an amazing, positive atmosphere from start to finish. So, if you’re interested for next year, check out the Lakeland website and sign up to the ballot on the 1st of September.”
Now some closing words from Neil.
“Sam eloquently described the Lakeland 50. What she didn’t mention was she finished 1st in her age category, 4th female and 35th overall out of 1500 finishers. Modest indeed.
My aspirations going into the event were very different. I wanted to use my ultra running experience to manage the event, my energy levels and nutrition and to finish with a smile on my face.
Training had been a more relaxed approach. I’d taken up cycling and completed a couple of long distance sportives. A few weeks out I’d managed two long runs of 16 and 20 miles with Sam.
I tried not to worry about things too much and with a very positive approach enjoyed the race immensely. I finished over 2 hours slower than my 2019 L50 but chatted away with other runners, high fived the cheering kids along the course and shared banter and thank yous with the race marshals and volunteers. It was a great weekend!”
Thanks Sam and Neil for this additions contents, a brilliant read! Congratulations!
Thanks for reading and I’ll be back soon for another piece from your local running club.
Rich Freeman, Publicity Secretary
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