The Lakeland Five Passes (organised by Ascend Events) begins in the touristy zone of Grasmere-Loughrigg-Ambleside but then heads off into the lesser-known far eastern fells. It’s a 32-mile trail ultra with a lot of elevation (c. 2700m) and the majority of that uphill packed into a 10-mile section between Sadgill Bridge and the top of Red Screes. For me this was a weirdly positive day out. For the first 7 hours I had no negative thoughts, I was enjoying myself. Maybe it was my ‘anti-racing’ tactic of going very slowly for the first couple of miles so that I then enjoy the psychological boost of passing people for the rest of the run. Maybe it was Nigel’s weekly hill reps that have meant hills no longer hurt quite as much as they used to. Maybe it was the weather – not too sunny and not too cold. There was certainly plenty to keep the mind occupied: constantly changing surfaces – tarmac (just a little), grass, rock, scree, water; constantly changing running partners to have a bit of a natter with; constantly changing views with the highlight of running through clouds from Harter Fell down to Nan Bield Pass, which kept shifting to reveal stunning views and ridges, and giving a real sense of sky-running for a short while. And I loved the food on offer, grabbing a pile of quiche and sausage rolls from the checkpoint at Kirkstone Pass to munch on as I headed up Red Screes.
So 7 hours of joy and flow and smiles, and then I found myself flat on my face, having tripped over I-know-not-what on a bland piece of track heading down into Rydal. I went into a four-limb cramp (a bit like I’d imagine Petrificus Totalus to feel like with pain added). After that it was hobble-and-bobble along the cheerfully-named old Coffin Road, which used to be the route for bodies to be taken from Rydal for burial in Grasmere. Although not strictly speaking dead, at the finish at Grasmere Village Hall, I did need revivifying and a highlight of Ascend Events is the provision of limitless tea, coffee, drinks, hot food and desserts, and the chance to gradually regain strength while chatting to fellow runners, before heading off. I really recommend these events if you want a challenge, explore new hills, meet new people, and you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg.
I was very happy with my time of 7 hours 55 minutes (52nd) but two other Carnethies were meanwhile battling it out at the front of the field, and producing stunning times. Congratulations to Matthew Curry (3rd in 5 hrs 46 mins) and John Hammond (4th in 5 hrs 49). Winner was Rob Brown (Keswick AC) in a course record of 5 hrs 23 mins and First Lady was Hayley Evans (Buckley Runners), 6 hrs 24 mins). Full results here.
For the record, the 5 Passes are: Garburn, Gatescarth, Nan Bield, Kirkstone and Scandale. And the route covers 6 Wainwrights: Loughrigg Fell, Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell, Thornthwaite Crag, Caudale Moor and Red Screes.
(Photos courtesy of Ascend Events)
Ken Fordyce