Recommended Races
On race day there are two options for runners to choose from, the so called short course consisting of 14 miles and 5000 feet of ascent and the Long course at 23 miles with 8000 feet of ascent. These are challenging mountain races and both courses offer a serious undertaking that shouldn't be taken lightly. Each race will test a runners stamina and resolve and good navigational skills or prior knowledge of the race routes is fairly essential. However, as Tom Lawson stated on race day as he ran down from Whiteless Pike towards Buttermere, if it's not hard, it wouldn't be worth doing. All the Netherhall runners who took part in the Darren Holloway events would certainly attest to Tom's analysis, a brutal day, but completed over a beautiful course that takes in some of the finest fell country in the whole of lakeland and most definitely worth doing. The DH races are first class category A events, they engender great camaraderie amongst their competitors and deliver a huge sense of personal achievement on completion. In other words a grand day out!
Parking is at the airfield so there is enough parking for the whole of Cumbria. The course is flat, quiet and fast, so great for a PB. It’s a well organised event, even with the Covid restrictions. The registration taking place at White Heather Hotel, on the airfield. The start is 800m down the road from the White Heather Hotel and the finish outside the hotel. Look forward to a nice medal, which is changed each year.
One of the best races that I’ve competed in. It starts at either Kingsmoor Park, Carlisle or Gretna, Scotland and runs 10km to the other, alternating each year. There was parking at both England and Scotland, but NAC put on a minibus, dropped us off at Scotland and picked us back up in England. Toilets in Scotland weren’t the best, the men’s facilities seemed to cope, but the ladies were overwhelmed. The race is timing chip, so not too many worries over being late to the start or being at the rear, you will get an accurate time. The route has a slight incline at the start (if starting from Scotland), but is generally quite flat and fast, but is very open and I’m assuming the wind could play a big part if gusty. The route takes you alongside a very busy main road were the motorists like to look and pip at the runners. Water stations were enough and in the right places. The medals are quite cool and there’s a well filled goody bag at the end!
This is a great summer evening 10K, hosted by Cumberland AC. It starts and finishes at the Lowca Rugby club. There is plenty of parking and good facilities. It's a there and back route, running along the course of an old railway track. It climbs gently on the way out and so has a speedy, generally downhill, second half. There's a great buffet at the end.
Course Record
Mark Walsh: 32 minutes - 18 seconds, 2018
Nadia Shaw: 39 minutes - 23 Seconds, 2019
Previous Results
Designed to be in January as a 'New Years Resolution' race, it's the usually less popular of the 2 races on the day, the other being the 10k.It is easy to get to by following Google maps. There is lots of parking opposite the racecourse in the field designated for the race parking. I have parked in this field for the horse racing and it can get muddy! There is good access to toilets, which are very clean. It's very well organised and marshalled.The race route is on a mix of main road and country roads. It isn't very flat, but not too hilly either. It's a very good route for all abilities.
I personally really enjoyed this as my first NAC race and landed a 5K PB.
This is a race organised by
Cumberland Fell Runners. It starts from near the church in Lamplugh.
Parking is alongside the road. If you get there late you're likely to
park someway from the start. As it is a winter race the weather can be
very poor, be prepared with all your bad weather gear. In bad
weather, there is potential
for going the wrong way between Blake and Owsen; take care with
navigation if the mist is down. However, in good weather you get superb
views and a route with a bit of everything. As the final section down
from Owsen Fell is on private land there is no opportunity for a
training run over the whole route.
Records
Male: C. Steele, 31 mins - 24 seconds, 2010
Female: P.Maddams – 35 minutes 8 seconds, 2011
Previous Results
The race starts at the Borrowdale YHA. The road to it is tight and over a narrow humpback bridge. Parking is adequate, but getting there early will ensure you are not disappointed. There are toilets, which does get busy (well, the men’s anyway), but there are plenty of places out in the bushes if you get stuck. The race starts at the bar in a long queue, touching the bar then the starter lets you go with 20/30 seconds in between runners. The first mile or so is flat, but is multi terrain. Once at the bottom of the crag, there’s only 1 direction to go, upwards! A lot of walking! As it’s an YHA, you can stay the night before, or celebrate afterwards and stay the night of the race. The top section of the race is not for the faint hearted, it’s a steep mound of heaped slate spoil, loose under foot and you can tell your elevation! My 5-year-old son has been up there no bother though! The YHA does a good buffet after the race and has a decent bar, even with real ale! There is a guest book, where past entrants of the race have written some interesting information, could be worth a read and a little entry of your own.
This is a race organised by Keswick Athletics Club under FRA rules, so bring the mandatory kit, just in case you are required to carry it. Whilst this race is normally run in mid-week in mid-April it has been known to snow! Registration and the start are at Revelin Moss car park, but parking is strictly at Whinlatter Visitors Centre, which is a 5 minute walk away. At 4km with 480m of ascent this is a short and sharp out and back, lung busting course, which on a clear evening, is rewarded with some spectacular views across the Lake District. If you are thinking of having a go at fell race this is definitely one to have a go at!
