There is a lot to enjoy about Lakes in a Day. The sudden change of vista as you get to the top of Blencathra and the whole Lakeland panorama unfolds. Hall’s Fell is spectacular and then the ridge from Clough Head to Helvellyn is superb.”
Nicky Spinks
When I was offered the chance to take part in Lakes in a Day this year, I didn’t hesitate. It is a classic, hard route, and I love a winter race. There’s something about running in October that really appeals to me.
I’ve tackled some of the toughest ultra challenges in the UK, but Lakes in a Day is not to be underestimated. It is hard. The early ascent and descent sap the energy out of your legs, and the last 20 miles look flat but aren’t. That section is 90% runnable, and you are often doing it in the dark.
This year it was too warm, but I was glad that I had layered up and could run in a t-shirt. The highs were the views, the cloud inversion, and the cheerful photographers. The low was getting dehydrated over Helvellyn and feeling queasy in Ambleside and all the way to the finish.
The views were amazing and the sunset was incredible. I love a linear course, and the organisation with the camping and buses means you can maximise your pre and post-race time easily and comfortably. It is the easiest race in the world to get to the start and enjoy the finish.
I’ve spent many years running in the Lakes, and sometimes I think I’ve had enough of them. Then you get a wonderful route and amazing weather, and there is no other place you want to be.
Knowing that this is a hard race to pace, I always take the first half conservatively and try to eat well. I had raced in the Swiss Peaks five weeks earlier and had literally flown back from Crete the day before, so racing was not really part of the plan. To enjoy and finish was my plan, and it worked apart from feeling sick, but I was still able to run most of the last 20 miles.
In the first half it is interesting to watch runners. People are not that chatty at this stage. There are runners pacing it and runners who want to beat me to Threlkeld. Over Helvellyn I found a friendly runner called Matt, and we had different strengths so kept passing and re-passing each other. I ran with him quite a lot after Ambleside, which was nice as the route is tricky and it helps to have two sets of eyes and knowledge on it. The checkpoints are amazing, and one day I will jog it so I can eat more of the food that is on offer.
For anyone considering Lakes in a Day for the first time, I would say to recce the section from Ambleside to the finish so that you know what it is like and it is not a shock on the day. Pace the first half, as there is no medal for being first to Threlkeld. Eat all the way to Ambleside and drink, which is not easy when there is very little water on the hill.
If I could capture Lakes in a Day in three words, they would be tough, friendly and an adventure.
Lakes in a Day is a proper journey through everything the Lakes has to offer. You get the sense of just how far you are going to run when you are on the bus. It is a long way. It is daunting and a challenge to run it properly.
