.png){kind=small}
We're not planning to organise the Scafell Pike Trail Marathon in 2025.
We'll be back in 2026.
Mountain Trail Running at it's Best
A trail marathon incorporating England's highest peak. Based from Keswick the route follows beautiful lakeshore trails, wooded valleys to spectacular high mountain trails, incorporating some of the most dramatic rock scenery in the Lake District.
The event is to be held in conjunction with
the Borrowdale 21k Trail Race
Borrowdale is described as "The most beautiful valley in England" and a trail runners dream. Combine this with a route over Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain & you have a truly spectacular course.
Date: Sunday 18th August 2024 Distance: 27miles Ascent/Descent: 1800m/1790m
Start Time: 8:00am Event Venue: Crow Park, Lake Road, Keswick, CA12 5DJ (GR 263 229).
Start Location: The event will start from the track adjacent to the entrance/car park at Lingholm, CA12 5TZ (GR 251 223). This is just outside the village of Portinscale, which is approx. 35min walk/25min jog from event HQ (see map at bottom of page).
Finish Location: Crow Park, Keswick
Registration: The Registration Venue is Crow Park - Race Numbers will be issued here.
Registrationwill be available between: Saturday 17th: 1400 - 1600 at Crow Park
Sunday 18th: 0600 - 0715 at Crow Park
Entry Fee: £52 (+ 6% online booking fee) Minimum entry age 18 years old. Early bird entry fee until 1st April.
Please Note camping/overnight parking is not permitted at the venue
Scafell Pike Trail Marathon Recce 2017
Scafell Pike Trail Marathon 2018 Race Video
Participant Feedback
An amazing event I had an absolute ball. It was my first marathon and suspect all future events will struggle to compete! In particular I wanted to say a huge thank you to the marshals who were all so professional they inspired confidence and made me feel safe throughout". Melanie Cage
"Thank you so much to all your hard work, smiles and encouragement today. Found it brutal but excellent. Best marathon ever!" Stephen Wood
"Thank you for a fantastic event - friendly atmosphere, super organisation and a cracking course. Congratulations to all the other runners" Daniel Summer
"Thank you for an amazing day! Now that I am home and on the sofa I can honestly say I enjoyed it" Sarah Holton
"I just wanted to say thank you for the brilliant Scafell Pike marathon last Sunday. The marshals were great and it is a stunning event. I have no complaints about the event and thought the organisation was spot on" Hazel Clark
Please Note: Course maps will not be provided.
What's Included in Your Entry:
-
Professionally run event, Mountain safety team cover during the race, qualified & experienced personnel at various checkpoints
-
Qualified medical support
-
A stunning event venue
-
Online Registration, Electronic Chip Timing
-
Unique finishers medal, customised race number
-
Route gpx download
-
Hydration stations on the course,
-
Drop Bag Shuttle
-
Refreshments at finish (TBC)
-
UTMB Points
-
Contribution to National Trust (This goes directly to trail maintenance in the area)
Event Terms & Conditions
Entry Requirements: 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 incorporates tough mountain trails and the ability to navigate the route is essential. It is important that you are prepared & equipped for weather conditions for the time of year.
Navigation & Waymarking: The course will be marked from the start to Seathwaite. The mountain section between Seathwaite, Styhead, Scafell Pike, Esk Hause, Styhead, & Seathwaite will be unmarked. Although the route follows the main trails, the ability to navigate will be essential on this section. Returning to Seathwaite, follow the marked course to the finish. Navigational devices (GPS units, watches, smartphone, etc.) are permitted & a route GPX file is available to download. If you are unfamiliar with the area it is recommended that you use such a device to assist with navigation. All that we ask is that you are competent with your navigational skills in the advent of the device failing, ie due to low battery.
.jpg)
Course Maps: Course maps will not be provided. Participants will need to provide their own maps.
A printed/paper copy of the route which is suitable for navigating is required as part of the mandatory kit list. These are NOT provided at registration. If you are planning to follow the route with your navigational device, then a printed map of the course is required IN ADDITION to this.
We do recommend that you have a map covering the full course. However, a map covering the unmarked section of the route will suffice. This is the area between Seathwaite, Styhead, Scafell Pike, Esk Hause (check points 1-6). We recommend the Harveys British Mountain Map Lake District.
Distance: 44k/ 27 miles
Checkpoints: Distance
-
Seathwaite 13k
-
Sty Head 17k
-
Scafell Pike Summit 21k
-
Esk Hause 23k
-
Sty Head 25k
-
Seathwaite 29k
-
Watendlath 36k
Aid Stations:
-
Seathwaite 13k
-
Watendlath Beck 37k
-
Seathwaite 29k
The mountain section of the course will not be marked
Course Map: Click on the map to view a detailed & interactive version illustrating the elevation profile
Terrain: Approx. 90% of the route is singletrack trails. Scafell Pike: Steep rocky terrain throughout. The summit plateau of Scafell Pike is a vast boulder field. Initial part of descent is steep & covered with loose rocks.
Route Highlights & Course Overview: From beautiful wooded valleys to spectacular high mountain trails, here are some of the main features incorporated into the route...
Section 1: Start to Seathwaite.. From here the route follows woodland trails alongside the beautiful shores of Derwentwater & continues along to the picturesque village of Grange. Out of Grange, the first climb ofthe day is reached climbing past Castle Crag. The route continues through Seatoller to reach the hamlet of Seathwaite & the first feed station location. The course will be marked to this point.
.jpg)
Climbing past Castle Crag
.jpg)
Crossing Stockley Bridge
Section 2 Scafell Pike Climbing to the summit of England's Highest Peak...
From Seathwaite, crossing the old packhorse bridge over Stockley Beck, the route now ventures into the heart of the high fells. A steep pitched climb leads to Styhead Tarn & Styhead Pass (1,601'). The next section involves the ascent of the infamous Corridor Route. This is a testing rocky trail that makes a spectacular rising traverse across some of the most rugged yet spectacular rock scenery in England. With Wasdale far below, it traverses under the dramatic crags of Great End & Broad Crag, crossing a number of deep ravines, climbing up a series of rock slabs & paths, eventually leading up to the summit of Scafell Pike.
At an elevation of 3,209' Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England. From the summit the route descends to Broad Crag col before continuing it's high level traverse past Broad Crag & Ill Crag leading down towards Esk Hause. Located at 2,490' this is the highest pass in the Lake District. Descend from Esk Hause past Sprinkling Tarn to reach Styhead Pass, retracing the route back to Seathwaite.
Section 3: Seathwaite to Keswick...Refuel at the feed station at Seathwaite then cross the valley floor, rejoining the marked route to reach the village of Rosthwaite. A testing final ascent from Rosthwaite leads to the beautiful isolated hamlet of Watendlath. The route follows the trail alongside Watendlath Beck to reach CP 5 & the final feed station. A minor road section descends past Suprise View & Ashness Bridge, then picking up the singletrack trail below Falcon Crag & into Great Wood. The last section follows the lakeshore trails to the finish in Crow Park.
Climbing out of Rosthwaite
Trail along Watendlath Beck
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).
As there is still a potential risk of covid transmission we will not be providing our normal feed station supplies. To minimize food handling at feed stations, drop bags for personal nutrition will be available for participants & transported to the aid station at Seathwaite. Water, coke & juice will be available at Seathwaite CP. At Watendlath there will be only water.To help minimise waste you will need to bring your own water bottle, bladder, or Eco soft cup (provided at registration).
Mountain Prize: 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!
.jpg)
Course Records: Kristian Jones 03:27:25 (2022) Eleanor Davis 4:08:13(2021)