Ultimate Trails Challenge 110k

Abide

Barefooters
May 13, 2010
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Really excited about this one
http://www.ultimatetrails.com/

I've never been to the Lake District so thought this might be a great way to see the area.

Has anyone ever run in the area before, any tips on the terrain? Rocky, muddy, steep etc...? 14k ft is pretty impressive I am assuming there are some significant climbs and descents vs. the typical rolling hills. Actually I had no idea England had this mountainous of terrain.

Looks like its in the dry season for the region.
 
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Looks like a challenging race Abide but beautiful at the same time. I say go for it and have fun!
 
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Really excited about this one
http://www.ultimatetrails.com/

Has anyone ever run in the area before, any tips on the terrain? Rocky, muddy, steep etc...? 14k ft is pretty impressive I am assuming there are some significant climbs and descents vs. the typical rolling hills. Actually I had no idea England had this mountainous of terrain.

Looks like its in the dry season for the region.
Rocky, muddy, steep is a fair assessment though it looks as though they keep you away from the steepest stuff. In late June there'll be a very short night. Potentially quite wet, possibly windy. Nothing in the way of rolling hills - but there is a fair amount of valley travel. Their video paints a somewhat inaccurate picture as it looks as though it was mostly shot in valley bottoms!
Have fun!
 
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Thanks Dama and DNEchris!

Shot in the valley bottoms meaning the easy stuff was shown?

Just found out it starts at midnight too, I seem to remember it getting light a little after 4am that time of the year and dark again around 10pm? I'll have to look at that.
 
Looks like fun. I've been there but never walked or run there. Good luck Abide!
.
 
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Man, you got this in the bag!
 
Yup!
Try and get hold of Ordnance Survey sheet 90 (Penrith and Keswick) as it will give you a good idea of the terrain you'll be traveling.
You might want to head to the Ardennes for some training :)

Funny you say that, headed down there for a 55k in a couple of weekends. Thanks for the info I am googling it now.
 
Couldn't find a map but I stole this from mapmyrun, I'm kind of impressed with that site.

Looks like there are some pretty steep climbs involved... 10 - 40 miles look pretty runnable though.
 

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Couldn't find a map but I stole this from mapmyrun, I'm kind of impressed with that site.

Looks like there are some pretty steep climbs involved... 10 - 40 miles look pretty runnable though.
That map'll be fine. It's a pity the contour intervals are at 50 metres though! (There are still a fair number of them!)
 
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Really excited about this one
http://www.ultimatetrails.com/

I've never been to the Lake District so thought this might be a great way to see the area.

Has anyone ever run in the area before, any tips on the terrain? Rocky, muddy, steep etc...? 14k ft is pretty impressive I am assuming there are some significant climbs and descents vs. the typical rolling hills. Actually I had no idea England had this mountainous of terrain.

Looks like its in the dry season for the region.

Lucky you! Beautiful place, rains a lot (there is no dry season to speak of!), terrain can be all of the above. Generally rolling grass and bracken lowlands that can get muddy with rocky (lots of slate, so scree is common) peaks which can be reasonable mountain climbing territory (though modest in overall height, like a quaint version of New Zealand). A few coniferous forests but otherwise mostly exposed landscape. Whilst not an ultra running book, I highly recommend "Feet in the Clouds" to read some tales of the rich and crazy fell running history of the region going back something like 100+ years, when there was serious prize money at stake. Enjoy the local real ales, Bluebird Bitter is brewed in Coniston and won CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain previously so a good starting point.
 
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Lucky you! Beautiful place, rains a lot (there is no dry season to speak of!), terrain can be all of the above. Generally rolling grass and bracken lowlands that can get muddy with rocky (lots of slate, so scree is common) peaks which can be reasonable mountain climbing territory (though modest in overall height, like a quaint version of New Zealand). A few coniferous forests but otherwise mostly exposed landscape. Whilst not an ultra running book, I highly recommend "Feet in the Clouds" to read some tales of the rich and crazy fell running history of the region going back something like 100+ years, when there was serious prize money at stake. Enjoy the local real ales, Bluebird Bitter is brewed in Coniston and won CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain previously so a good starting point.

Thanks for the info, I tried to order the book but the kindle version is only good for the UK for some reason? I'll have to figure out another way to get it.

I'm driving over there this trip so I am planning on bringing home a trunkful of beer! I will definitely try out the Bluebird Bitter.
 
Good luck, Abide. Make that hill your be-atchie!
 
Only just read your post Abide.
I followed a friend on a 69 mile run along Hadrians Wall last weekend (well when I say 'followed' -I was in the car providing support!), so I know it's a heck of a distance.
Good luck! Hope it goes well...