Last year's Montane 50 gets underway

A thousand pounds’ worth of jelly babies and two lorry-loads of food will help fuel 1,000 competitors in one of the country’s toughest mountain events.

The Montane Lakeland 100 and 50 ultra-marathons involve runners tackling courses of either 100 or 50 miles (161 or 81 miles) over the Lake District fells.

About 5,000 litres of water will also go out to the checkpoints for drinking and cooking.

The route, which involves 6,300m of ascent, starts in Coniston and heads south before completing a clockwise loop which takes in the Dunnerdale fells, Eskdale, Wasdale and Buttermere before arriving in Keswick.

From there the route heads to Matterdale and continues over to Haweswater before returning via Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater to the finish at Coniston.

It avoids the felltops and uses mountain passes, cols and valleys.

A total of 150 people are helping to organise the race, with 60 people to help at the race headquarters in Coniston and 90 people spread over the 14 checkpoints.

Organiser Terry Gilpin with the winner's trophy

The event also raises cash for the Fix the Fells charity, which maintains and repairs paths in the national park.

Race organiser Marc Laithwaite said: “We want to help preserve the wonderful Lake District environment year round, not just for the race competitors.

“Last year we raised between £4,500 and £5,000 for Fix the Fells through the 2011 Montane Lakeland 100/50. This year we are again supporting this worthy cause, but with a target of £10,000.”

Competitors will run through the night with a 5.30pm start this Friday, and final cut-off time of 9am on Sunday.

The twisting Lakeland lanes prove a challenge for organisers who, as well as getting provisions to the various checkpoints, also have to set up facilities for runners and helpers.

Where there are no buildings available for checkpoint use, the organisers have to arrange for marquees or tents, along with other practical features such as portable toilets, generators, hot water urns, gas cookers, petrol and cans and communications links in the form of satellite phones.

More details of the Montane Lakeland 100/50 are on the event website.