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Having just celebrated her 60th birthday only 4 days before, Jackie Scarf set out at 4.37am on a luxurious 17 hour 30 minute schedule, on Wednesday 14th July 2022 to complete the Joss Naylor challenge. This is a challenge for … Continue reading
Lakeland 50 and 100
After the National and Club Championship races of last weekend, it was time for the Calder Valley ultra-bunnies this weekend at the Lakeland 50 and 100 races.
The 100 mile circular route encompasses the whole of the Lakeland fells, includes in the region of 6300m of ascent and consists almost entirely of rocky public bridleways and footpaths. The route starts in Coniston and heads south before completing a clockwise loop which takes in the Dunnerdale Fells, Eskdale, Wasdale and Buttermere before arriving in Keswick. From here the route heads to Matterdale and continues over to Haweswater before returning via Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater to the finish at Coniston. It has a dropout rate of 40% to 50%.
The ’50’ team at the start
The 50 route starts at the half way point of the 100, the northern end of Ullswater. The ‘shorter’ route has a 24 hour time limit for completion.
The route does not pass over any of the popular Lakeland summits. Instead, it weaves its way through stunning valleys, contours picturesque fells and cuts its own line through the amazing Lakeland topography. As with any ultra race the key is to keep moving.
Ultra distance guru Dougie looking good before the rain. Photo courtesy of No Limits Photography
First back for CVFR in the 100 was ultra specialist, Dougie Zinnis in 16th place. He said “A humid first night and tired legs made the going tough from the start. The rain held off until Black Sail Pass with light showers turning to heavy in the morning. My stomach wasn’t good and I couldn’t hold food down which made every mile into a slog but decided to get it done, joining forces with Martin Davies (CVFR) and another lad called and Michael.” Dougie finished in 25hr 29mins. The winner was Ali Bailey in 20hrs 46mins and 1st female was Emma Stuart in 23hrs 5mins
Jackie at the start still with intact feet!!!
Long time ultra-runner and adventure racer, Jackie Scarf, said “My feet have trench rot and huge blisters, the weather was a mixed bad of sun, cloud and drizzle. The food and service at 14 checkpoints was good, marshals even did us a free alarm wakey-wakey if you wanted a power nap (I did twice). But I don’t intend doing that race again.” Jackie completed the 100 in 39 hrs and 15mins. Johnny Watson finished in 33 hours 37 minutes and Dan Biggs was the fifth CVFR completer of the 100 in 39 hours and 27 minutes.
Andy with his ‘game on’ face. Photo courtesy of No Limits Photography
In the 50, Andy Ford started like a whippet on a 5 mile race. He suffered for it later though, struggling to eat. However he was first Calder runner back in 15th place covering the 50 miles in 9 hours 5 minutes. Luke Meleschko was 131st in 11hrs 24mins and Laura Green and Gill Dickson paired up to finish in 16 hours 15 minutes at 3:45am. Laura said it taught her a lot about pain in general and trench foot in particular.
