Lake District Sky Trails - Some of the UK's best Sky Running
Some of the UK's most popular sky running events are organised by Lake District Sky Trails. Both the Lakes Sky Ultra (LSU) & the Pinnacle Ridge Extreme (PRE) events head out from the village of Glenridding on the shores of Ullswater and beneath the Helvellyn Massif. Whilst both events are borne out of the original LSU, formerly based from Ambleside, the PRE has a strict vetting process with climbing and scrambling skills required. The LSU avoids some of the most technical climbing and scrambling areas in order to suit a wider array of runners but its still a tough event! Both events are supplied with VOOM Hydrate and we're excited to be attending on July 10th.
What are the key features of the Lakes Sky Ultra?
LSU offers some of the typical features of any skyrunning event. Aside from 52km of fantastic Lake District trails, and over 4000m of climbing, the route takes in Long Stile Edge, Haweswater, Red Screes, Ambleside, Fairfield, Helvellyn, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge!
With so many spectacular trails to run and views to enjoy you can learn more here?
Lakes Sky Ultra route
Where does the LSU route go? Starting from Patterdale Hall the course quickly gets into the climbing up Boredale Hause, and on to High Street before taking in the technical Long Stile Edge and descending to Haweswater and the first checkpoint of the Day. The next stage takes in Small Water via the Nan Bield pass, Mardale Ill Bell, the head of the Kentmere Valley and then Thornthwaite Crag and Caudale Moor before good running to reach CP2 at Kirkstone Pass.
The third leg takes in the tough, rocky ascent of Red Screes before an incredible run down to Ambleside and the mid-way checkpoint. Heading North from Ambleside runners take in the East ridge of the Fairfield Horseshoe over some technical surfaces along Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield and the epic scree and boulder descent to Grisedale Tarn. Beyond that there's a tough climb up Dollywagon Pike, before the technical ridges of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge.
Sky Running Kit List
As with all sky running events there is a mandatory kit list that runners must take with them for their own safety. Runners taking on the Lakes Sky Ultra must wear or carry with them:
- Shorts & vest / short sleeved, non cotton top
- Trail/mountain running shoes with min. 3mm tread
- Waterproof jacket (hooded) with taped seams
- Waterproof trousers with taped seams
- Hat and gloves
- Head torch
- Survival Bag
- Whistle (in case of distress, 6 short blasts on the minute every minute)
- 200 Kcal emergency food
- Map & compass or GPS
- First aid kit (minimum contents: bandage, plasters, pain killers)
- Race vest, pack or bumbag to carry your kit
