Sunday 19th May 2013
England's Highest Trail Marathon
A 42k Marathon up Scafell Pike, England's Highest Peak
'Mountain Trail Running at it's Best'
1800m of ascent
We are pleased to announce Suunto as a brand new sponsor exclusive to this event. Suunto will be providing two of their Ambit GPS watches as prizes worth £400 each!
The initial lakeshore section of Brandelhow Bay
Terrain: You do not have to be super fast or an elite athlete to enter, this will be an awesome challenge if you're looking to push yourself that bit further! However, the event is not suitable for novice trail runners as the terrain on the 42k is tough mountain trails and the ability to navigate the route is essential. A gpx file of the route is also available to entrants. Approx. 90% of the route is singletrack trails.
Check out the HTE Recce of the route for some inspiring pictures.
For a selection of pictures on the mountain section click here
Venue: Held in conjunction with Keswick Mountain Festival and part of the Borrowdale Trail Races. Keswick Mountain Festival base, Crow Park, Lake Road, Keswick, CA12 5DJ.
Start Time: 0830.
Registration: 0630 - 0745 at Crow Park. Numbers will be issued at registration on the day.
42k Route: The event will start from Nichol End Marine just outside the village of Portinscale, which is approx. 25min walk/15min jog from event HQ. This will be an 'extension' of the 21k Borrowdale route.
Mapped using the Suunto Ambit
A gpx file of the course is also available to entrants, recorded with the Suunto Ambit GPS on our recce day, email imgenr8@live.co.uk for details.
CHECKPOINTS
There will be five timing control checkpoints on the route. These will be located at:
CONTROL DESCRIPTION
1. Styhead Pass: Mountain Rescue Post/Stretcher Box (GR 219 095)
2. Scafell Pike: Summit cairn (GR 215 072)
3. Esk Hause: Shelter (GR 235 082)
4. Styhead Pass: Mountain Rescue Post/Stretcher Box (GR 219 095)
5. Watendlath Beck: Hydration/feed station over footbridge (GR 269 181)
These CP’s are indicated on the event maps & must be visited in the order specified. We will be using SportIdent electronic timing for this procedure. You must ‘dip’ AT EACH OF THE SPECIFIED LOCATIONS and at the finish.
All timing control checkpoints (CP) will be manned with the exception of Esk Hause.
Time Limits: 9 hrs (3.3mph av.speed) for the full event.
There wil also be an intermediate cut-off time at Sty Head (17k/10.5miles). The cut off time to Styhead has now been increased to 3hrs30minutes.
Any participant not reaching this point in the allocated time will not
be permitted to continue to Scafell and have to return back to
Seathwaite.
Watendlath Beck CP 5: 8hrs30minutes.
Hydration/Feed Stations: These will be located at Seathwaite (GR 235 121) both out & return (13k/29k) and Watendlath Beck(37k) (GR 269 181) (see map). They will be stocked with caramel shortbread, flapjacks, jellies, bananas, 9Bar, Herbalife sport nutrition, cheese rolls, peanuts, water, squash & coke. There will also be tea, coffee & hot chocolate at Seathwaite feed station.
Course: From the marina the first section leads through woodland trails alongside Lingholm to Hawse End Bay on the shores of Derwentwater. The route then follows the lakeshore trail through mixed woodland to the picturesque village of Grange and follows the bridleway past Castle Crag. This is where the 42k route deviates from the 21k.
Trail past Castle Crag leading towards Seatoller
Following the climb past Castle Crag the 42k route continues to Seatoller, and will be marked to this point. Turn right just after Seatoller to Seathwaite, Styhead, Corridor Route up to Scafell Pike, Esk Hause, Sty Head, Seathwaite, Rosthwaite. The course on this section will not be marked. Although the route follows the main trails, the ability to navigate will be essential.
Towards the Summit..... Climbing past Ill Crag, Scafell Pike summit in background
The course will be marked from the start to Seatoller. From here it will be unmarked until the road crossing at GR 251 137 between Thorneythwaite Farm & Longthwaite.
At Rosthwaite the route rejoins the 21k marked course and follows this to the finish in Keswick via Watendlath, Ashness Bridge and Great Wood.
The hamlet of Watendlath
For 42k entry requirements click here
All participants will need to be suitably experienced and equipped, self reliant and have good navigational skills.
Mandatory Equipment List:
All items on the following list must be carried by the participant for the duration of
the event as a minimum requirement.:
-Full WATERPROOF body cover with taped seams (windproof is not sufficient)
-Map and compass suitable for navigating the course.
-Emergency foil blanket or bivi bag, whistle
-Emergency food -Mobile phone fully charged
-First aid kit to include: blister plasters/1 large sterile wound dressing/bandage or tape
to secure dressing -0.5L fluid.
New Course challenge, 1st runner up to Scafell Pike - As the summit of Scafell Pike is at the 21k half marathon distance, we are offering a prize to the first male & female runner to the summit. This will add a unique and exciting new aspect to the challenge. For those of you who are stonger at climbing than descending this is the perfect opportunity to show off your skill and offers you a chance of a prize and the title of 'King/Queen of the mountain.' Just remember there's still a long way to go!
Entry Fee: £35
Entries: Minimum entry age 18 years old.
Included: Professionaly run event, qualified & experienced personel at various checkpoints, qualified medical support, online registration, electronic timing, commemorative race t-shirt and unique finishers medal, part of the keswick Mountain Festival, refreshments on the course & at finish, event photography, partially marked course.
A Winter Recce: Click here to check out Ricky Lightfoot's winter recce of the route
"I love the idea of a marathon trail race going over Scafell! Looks like this will be a classic race and is definitely on my calendar" Ricky Lightfoot (Salomon International Mountain Runner).
Styhead Tarn and Pass
Event Support: Part of the 2013 Salomon Trail Tour Series 
We are pleased to announce Suunto as a sponsor exclusive to this event. The Suunto Ambit is the perfect watch for outdoor enthusiasts and the first of its kind to offer such advanced features, ideal for your training preparation.
We are grateful for the support of 9bar once again, they will be giving out their great tasting, nutritious mixed seed energy bars at the event. You will find they are perfect for providing slow release energy to keep you going in long endurance races. 
This event is part of the Keswick Mountain Festival. There are loads of great activities on offer as well as guest speakers. With 5 days of adventure there's something for everyone. Find out more at www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk For accommodation and other local information visit: www.keswick.org
