Lakeland Trails MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (98 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Jozla
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great organisation, friendly and encouraging marshals, awesome off road route
In full: My second stab at this event, in very different weather conditions, but just as enjoyable as the first. A beautiful route with a good mix of terrain (very little tarmac thank goodness). Very well organised, great encouragement from marshals and guy manning the PA system! Great atmosphere. No navigation required, just run. Perfect!
Date of review: July 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: kneejob
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Its the Lake District! Expect rain and rocky hills, fantastic!!
In full: Wasn't so familiar with the Coniston area of the Lakes before this weekend, but I'm loving it now! This was a great course, with a bit of everything, and a lot of rain! I have to agree its one of the best places to put a Marathon route. Although there were plenty of hills, undulating is a better description, as you never had to slog uphill for too long. On a drier day, potential to still be reasonably quick for an offroad race, with juts a couple of downhills needing care and of course the boggy bits from Beacon tarn. Great stuff, the only disappointed ones were my kids who didn't get their Fun Run.
Date of review: July 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: C Cat
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A fantastic course and clearly so well thought through. Great organisation. Great everything! For all from Elite to Veteran. Be prepared to get muddy!
In full: A wonderful end to the Spring Series. The series just takes the pleasure of running to new heights. If you love the great wild outdoors and don't care abour chasing PB's then this is for you. It is so friendly and well organised. The courses are clearly so carefully selceted with the minimum of disruption to other users of the trails. The marshalling is superb. And you often get to run alon which can't be said for many marathons. I can't rate it highly enough. Just wish there could be more.
Date of review: July 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Claire Hickman
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: It would be hard to make this race any harder!
In full: Well this race had it all: hills, more hills, muddy bogs, streams disguised as grass, sinking mud disguised as normal soil, minor landslides disguised as rocky paths, more streams that I think were originally paths, more hills, gates, stiles, long jump challenges (numerous)and horizontal rain right in the eyeballs! What a fabulous first marathon....any subsequent marathons I do will surely pale into insignificance. Having been dreading the boredom and trudgery of running such a long distance, the time in fact flew by - probably due to the huge amount of concentration required to remain upright (didn't always work!. Weather pretty appalling - although it eased off in time to show off spectacular views of Coniston Water as we ran up along on a high ridge parallel to it. Got the feeling most runners were hardcore and used to this sort of terrain, unlike me whose most challenging local run consists of Epsom Downs! Would strongly recommend to those who love adventure, the great outdoors and the ability to laugh in the face of adversity!
Date of review: July 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gwyn James
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A tough marathon but so worth it!
In full: A fantastic scenic course in the most beautiful area of England, if you want a real challenge and a day to remember this event has to go on your shopping list.
This year's race started in the rain and it didn't let up until about half way (althought the winner had probably finished by then!). But the weather didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the runners or the marshals, who did a fantastic job.
Some of the terrain was really challenging, very tricky rock-strewn descents, steep climbs, trails that had turned into streams, ankle-deep bogs that you just couldn't avoid.
Great organisation and marshalling, with free electrolyte drink and Kendal Mint Cake at the water stations. Lovely!
A great event despite the weather.
Date of review: July 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Simon Dowson 2
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough but rewarding
In full: Returned after the 2011 race. Weather this time was damp(!) but meant this time I didn't suffer cramp. Still not a race to take lightly.
Date of review: July 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: SiButterworth
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The hardest thing I've ever done, and I loved it.
In full: As different as you can get from the mega big city runs, and all the more enjoyable for that.
A game of three halves, as the football pundits say. The first 18k delightful paths winding through woodland and gradually climbing uphill with the stunning scenery of Tarn Hows as its climax. Next a long long stretch through Grizedale Forset, on sound forest tracks and paths, undulating but relatively easy going. The last 15k was continuous variation, a steep rough descent, another climb, bogs, streams, and then the path along Coniston Water shoreline. I even enjoyed seeing the elite runners (who started two hours later) fly past as I continued my steady plod round- inspirational.
The rain didn't really matter that much
Great cameraderie amongst the runners, fantastic organisation, superb marshalling (Coniston Mountain Rescue and Bay Search and Rescue). Its not easy, and that is why it is a worthwhile "must-do".
Date of review: July 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Renny Hutchison
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A rollercoaster ride, hold on tight!
In full: Quite demanding with a challenging surface underfoot at times. But that only made it better – my feet preferred the softer sections, and having to pay attention to each footfall made the time fly!
Especially enjoyed the last 3 or 4 miles – spent more time in the air than on the ground. A superb course!
Date of review: July 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: matrichards44
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Looking for an easy marathon? Look elsewhere.
In full: Hats off to all the marshalls who stood for hours in the pouring rain this year. Its an extremely hilly marathon with the first half with more climb, however the second half has a much rougher and craggy terrain. Ideal for those looking for a challenge.
Date of review: July 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sleepy Bear
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Inspiring even in bad weather!
Date of review: July 2, 2012
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