Lakeland Trails MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (98 votes). | The big picture (98 votes) | | Overall score | | 93% | | How many would do it again? | | 87% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 99% | | PB potential | | 34% | | Atmosphere | | 90% | | Organisation | | 81% | | Value | | 72% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 59% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Sitanshu Shekhar
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A very tough race, but absolutely unbelievable
In full: This was my first ever marathon. The course was extremely tough, and the weather even worse. But, all the pain and the training was worth it. Will surely do it again.
Date of review: August 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andrew Sutherland 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Marvellous, mad, memorable marathon
In full: I have to start with the marshals, who were fabulous, helpful, encouraging, safety-conscious in a good way. Some stood isolated on the hill in pouring rain for hours. Total dedication. You knew you would be ok whatever happened. A little of every type of terrain on this well-marked course, mostly made more demanding by the relentless rain on top of weeks of wet weather. The game of avoiding a full muddy foot soaking at every step certainly helped the miles go by, along with the gorgeous ever-changing route. The views were close and misty, but still wonderful. Everyone seemed to be there to enjoy themselves. It was my first marathon. I fully expected to suffer, but everything about this race keeps you going, so I would say it is surprisingly beginner-friendly. (Free kendal mint cake and nuun drinks helped too.)
Th organisers create a superb atmosphere even in these conditions. In return you have to accept some quirks, like registering in person the day before for the early race and having 3 minutes added to your time because it started 3 minutes late(!?) An experience not to be missed by anyone who enjoys the country. You can even walk if you want! I seriously doubt any other race I ever enter will beat this one.
Date of review: July 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Final Mile
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough trail marathon in glorious scenery
In full: Harder than advertised- hills, boggy ground, some scrambling in places- but the fantastic lakeland scenery made it all worthwhile, despite the incessant rain! This was my 27th marathon and definitely the hardest yet- I'd recommend adding 45 minutes to1 hour to your standard marathon time. Organisation was very good and post race t-shirt medal and food all to a good standard. Recommended.
Date of review: July 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: NZSarah
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great Marathon!
In full: Such a good run! Everything a trail marathon should be, plenty of varied terrain and interesting sections to keep you on your toes. Loved this run, have already signed up for next year. It is a challenging course but exactly what was expected as the title suggests 'trail' marathon.
Date of review: July 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gary Clayton 4
| | 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: wet this year.
In full: my second coniston marathon. i just love the lake district. just signed up for 2013. thanks to all. can we keep the t shirts the same as 2011 please, much nicer, see you at the 7th.
Date of review: July 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Piers
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very Hard Course
In full: Not quite sure why everyone is raving over this event I found it to be a very hard course. I can cope with the hills but I spent the last half of the marathon staring at my feet due to the nature of the trails. Kilometre markers were way out which is not a major issue and what the hell was the compulsorary hat gloves tights and jacket about?
Date of review: July 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: RUNK
| | 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: Incredible! Final third is brutal though...!
In full: Incredible event! Amazing course with lots of variety on the trails - some hard packed gravel, some cross country field type stuff, some forest / tree route paths, some very rocky sections, and some very boggy sections. The slide show on the website does the course no justice at all! A word of warning to anyone considering it: save plenty for the final 12k - its very very difficult.
Date of review: July 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Simon Winterborn
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: tough course, but a glorious location
In full: Organisation and marshalls were excellent, unsurprisingly on a wet day in the Lakes, there was plenty of mud.
Date of review: July 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Stuart Chalmers 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Absolutely stunning course. Terrain mixed with some challanging fell like sections
In full: Wonderful race despite or perhaps because of the weather. The rain was fairly heavy which affected the trail conditions. The route had a mix of tar roads, forest roads, forest tracks and hill routes. Trail shoes were a real advantage in the wet conditions. I absolutely loved the scenery, which was very reminiscent of Loch Lomond which was my home for eight years. The organisation was spot on. Due to the terrain its not a fast course but it is a wonderful course.
Date of review: July 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: marathon plodder
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A bit of everything, and a bit more.
In full: Not one for the faint hearted. An amazing event - lots of challenging sections, interspersed with easier recovery sections. I'm told there were some outstanding views - will have to take their word for that!
The marshalls were soem of the best I've ever come across, remaining cherfull and supportive even in the most out of the way and exposed places.
The commentator at the end was also doing a great job to keep everyone's interest despite the weather.
Put maybe purely because it's a long way from Portsmouth, but will probably be back.
Date of review: July 3, 2012
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