Charles Sproson ascends Pinnacle Ridge, the most technical part of the race route. Photo: Steve Ashworth/www.movieit.co.uk
Organisers of the inaugural Lakes Sky Ultra race are encouraging spectators to hit the hills to see competitors tackle the course.
Charlie Sproson and Andrew Burton are race directors for the gruelling 50km challenge, which will see runners tackle Swirral Edge and Striding Edge on Helvellyn, plus Pinnacle Ridge on neighbouring St Sunday Crag.
The organisers said: “With only two weeks to go, the True Mountain Lakes Sky Ultra team are getting their final preparations set in place.
“After the buzz that was created around the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline from the mainstream press dubbing it as the ‘Death Race’, this technical mountain running event housing itself under the SkyRunningUK series will undoubtedly take some of the same heat.
“With technical running across Swirral Edge and Striding Edge and rock hopping up one of the most classic ridge scrambles in the British Isles, namely Pinnacle Ridge, the inaugural True Mountain Lakes Sky Ultra will most certainly be in the spotlight.”
An international field includes skyrunners Eirik Haugsnes, who took first place in the Tromsø Sky Race 2014, Es Tresidder, the Snowdon Horseshoe record holder and Ricky Lightfoot, winner of this year’s Three Peaks Race and the Madeira Ultra Sky Marathon 2015. Live tracking will enable spectators both on the course or in the comfort of their armchairs at home to follow the racers’ progress.
Top women runners in the race include Beth Pascal who was first woman and fourth overall in the Spine Race – possibly the most brutal race in the UK – and Sarah Ridgeway, the female Snowdon Horseshoe record holder. Victoria Mousley may also prove to be a dark horse on race day.
Ricky Lightfoot on his way to victory in this year's Three Peaks Race
Race organisers said: “This is the first race of its kind in the Lake District, being a technical sky race, fusing fast and light mountaineering with mountain trail running.
“Although the course has some technical rock scrambles, technical scree and trails, the majority of the course is very runnable and we expect a very fast winning time.”
The True Mountain Lakes Sky Ultra starts at 7am on 12 September from Ambleside and will follow a fully marked course, crossing technical rock sections, making it more than a simple fell race. The race route is highly technical, ascending some of the highest peaks in the Lake District and using some of the best ascents and descents on offer.
The race team said: “Expect a very exciting race in the heart of the Lakes, setting off from one of the most famous villages in the area.
“The True Mountain Lakes Sky Ultra team would like to encourage spectator involvement.
“For competent hillwalkers and mountaineers then the summit of Helvellyn and its surrounding ridgelines of Swirral Edge and Striding Edge will give fantastic views.
“Should you wish a more sedate location to view from then the two checkpoint locations of Patterdale Junior School and Kirkstone Pass car park will allow close-quarter viewing and action. From Kirkstone Pass to the summit of Red Screes, the runners will be part of a race within the race – a timed ascent of Red Screes, followed by a timed descent to the finish line.
The runners will also traverse Striding Edge
“If you are planning on spectating in the mountains please treat all fell users with complete respect and don’t get in the way of the runners. They also suggest taking a cowbell into the fells and to the roadside viewing locations to give the runners an extra special boost as they run past.”
Salewa has agreed to be sponsor for the most technical part of the race, the grade-three scramble up Pinnacle Ridge, supplying ropes and safety hardware. This will be set in place by the Nav4Adventure team, headed by Joe Faulkner, chief safety officer on the event’s technical sections.
Other sponsors of the event include Team Nutrition, Mountain Run, Mountain Lite, Suprabeam, Harvey Maps, Cowmire Hall Cider, Open Tracking and SPORTident Entries, plus Stript Snacks.
More details are on the True Mountain Lakes Sky Ultra website.
Tim
08 September 2015Pehaps the runners should treat all fell walkers with respect and not get in the way of walkers???
Tim
08 September 2015And really - must people bring cowbells into the hills. Some of us go there for peace and quiet - save your cowbells for Strictly Come Dancing!
Matt
08 September 2015I am NOT taking a cowbell into the mountains with me. I've had my holiday in the lakes booked for nigh on a year and personally think this is an abomination!
Fell runners should respect the walkers.
Tim
09 September 2015Push the cows off the hill - then the runners may follow!
Beth Pascal
09 September 2015Hi,
Beth Pascal here. Tim and Matt, you are obviously quite passionate about this. Do you really feel that way? I run on the mountains because I love to run, I had never looked at it from the perspective of the walker before and for that I am truly sorry.
I, for one, won't be running this race as I have don't want my love of running, which I can do anywhere, to stand in the way of those who love the countryside and what it really stands for.
I call all fellow fell runners to avoid this event and hope that it wont go ahead!
Elizabeth II
09 September 2015As the longest reigning monarch I have seen no reason why one should tolerate such bestial behaviour.
Cover up and walk slowly.
Leave the mountains in quiet so my chums can shoot the deer.
I shall hang each and every runner - treason
Philip
09 September 2015Lizzie, you left our chat room to comment with these peasants? It was just getting fun, I've only got my pants left on!
You do make a wonderful point though. I do yearn for a good hanging. Treason it is for all of you!
Back to the chat eh Lizzie darling.
Yours,
@PrincePhiltheBigman ;)
Prince George
09 September 2015I want a cowbell granny waaaaaaa
Philip
09 September 2015George you are a very naughty boy. I am going to talk to your nanny and insist that you spend the day with Uncle David in Downing Street. That will teach you you little nuisance.
Enjoy your day with the plebs. Oh and at the end if you could let David know that he is on charges for treason and will be expected to run the Sky Ultra race with the rest of the accused that would be fabulous.
Anyway byeee.
@busylizziequeen I'm back darling. I just saw the most delightful picture of your head on Angelina Jolie's body, is that something you would consider doing?
David
09 September 2015Oh how I enjoy my days with georgie.
It really makes me feel like I know how my friends on Mumsnet feel. I can then really claim to be down with the people.
Sorry Philip, got to get back to finding new ways to take money from those who don't have any. They call me Dooh Nibor, I steal from the poor to give to the rich and laugh as I go!
Ooh, maybe I could tax those doing this stupid Sky Ultra Lakes run. A tax on every step ran and every cowbell heard! Wonderful.
Oh Philip, be aware that I've been chatting to @busylizziequeen too. She's out of control, I promise I didn't know it was Elizabeth, quite the shocker
Steve W
10 September 2015Wow, you guys must be a hoot at parties. Contrary to the straw men you've constructed, in my experience sky runners are some of the most courteous and inspiring people you could hope to meet and have the dexterity to pass without barging anyone. The glencoe skyline attracted runners and mountaineers at the peak of their game, and was a privilege to watch.
If you don't want to interact with runners or spectating hillwalkers, just avoid that particular bit of hill for the couple of hours it takes them to go through. That said, the likelihood of having a wilderness experience on Striding edge is pretty low at the best of times. There's plenty of boggy, god-forsaken summits up here in Scotland where you can virtually guarantee not meeting anyone if that's your goal.
The mountains are not purely there for quiet contemplation by those with their sense of fun surgically removed...