Lakeland Trails Marathon

Have you even looked at the website RL?  There is even a slide show of the course....... mind you the slide show was made when it was sunny.  If it rains (and it does here in cumbria even in July ) then yes, parts will be muddy. 

LT Marathon slideshow

I'm looking forward to this one too.

I think it says the trail is for experienced runners and the time limit is 6 hours, and the challenge is for less experienced runner and walkers (this starts at 7am) and there is an 8 hour limit.

 I can't really offer advice on which you should do but maybe that will help you decide

BBQ - If you're confident in your ability to complete within the 6 hour cutoff, then there's no reason why you shouldn't be in the Race.  You'll be further back in the field than you would in the Challenge but somebody finishing in 4:30 is neither going to be winning nor coming last in either.

Both events are over the same route, cost the same and 'qualify' you for the same finishers' rewards including entry into the same spot prize draw. The only difference is that those in the race get to start two hours later - time for a lie in or leisurely breakfast or both.

Don't know if that helps?

The slide show doesnt give you a clear picture of the elevation. I looked at the slideshow of the Hawkshead race last year and thought it was relatively easy but it was a tough terrain and had long climbs in places. 

Does anyone know what the elevation is like for the marathon? Is there a graph online?

Having looked at the slide show and plotted the approx route on the map the hills don't look too bad. Also the organisers have kindly placed all the hills in the first two thirds of the course. If like me you normally start to struggle at around 18 miles this should be a godsend. Looking forward to it.

I recommend  the  trail running marathon trail running is great, I have run on so many lakeland trails over the last  25 years,  David @ www.runwiseinlakeland.co.uk  

I too am looking forward to this marathon ,be nice to just take part enjoy the scenery and not worry about a specific time. Gonna treat this as a long training run before my main event (Chester marathon).

Does anyone know of any campsites in the area?

On the website  it states that the campsite at John Ruskin school opens at 16:30 on the friday.Is this open for competitors ?I have tried to ring the organisers but cant get hold of anyone.

Cheers

Camping at the school will be for competitors only - its not normally a campsite so I'd expect 'facilities' to be limited.  There will be no point calling the school as they won't know anything about it.

Nearest permanent/public campsite is at Coniston Hall - about a mile away.  The race route goes through the middle of it.  Contact details, along with a couple of other possibilities, including Park Coppice, are here

Thanks for info ,you are right about the school as i tried them and they know nothing.Will try Park Coppice as i am bringing family too.Probably would prefer a nice hotel but think cost would a bit too much as wife already thinks it madness to pay nearly 40 quid  just to run around a lake.

It will be my first trail marathon too .

I'm sort of looking forward to it, and dreading it in equal measure