Three Carn Runners took on one of the biggest challenges in British ultra running this weekend, with Susan lining up for the Lakeland 50 while Laura and Steve faced the enormous Lakeland 100.
These are events where simply reaching the start line represents months of commitment, preparation and sacrifice. Long training runs, early mornings, difficult sessions, route planning, kit testing and countless hours on tired legs all come before the race itself even begins.
Although the weekend did not end with the finishes they had hoped for, nothing about what Susan, Laura and Steve achieved should be viewed as a failure.
They earned their places, stood on those start lines and gave everything they had to three exceptionally demanding journeys through the Lake District.
One of Ultra Running’s Toughest Weekends
The Montane Lakeland 50 and 100 take competitors through some of the Lake District’s most beautiful but unforgiving terrain.
The Lakeland 100 begins in Coniston and follows a vast clockwise loop through valleys and fells before eventually returning to the village. Along the way, runners face approximately 100 miles, around 6,300 metres of climbing, rough trails, darkness and continuous forward movement for potentially as long as 40 hours.
The Lakeland 50 follows the second half of the longer course, beginning at Dalemain Estate and finishing in Coniston. Its 50 miles include almost 3,000 metres of ascent over challenging mountain terrain, making it anything but an easy alternative.
Both events demand far more than physical fitness. Navigation, concentration, fuelling, pacing and the ability to continue when exhausted all become part of the challenge.
The race organisers themselves warn that around 40–50% of those starting the Lakeland 100 do not complete the course, demonstrating just how formidable the event is even for experienced and well-prepared ultrarunners.
Susan Takes on the Lakeland 50
Susan stepped up to the challenge of the Lakeland 50, a distance that is nearly twice the length of a marathon before the mountains and difficult terrain are even taken into account.
Getting ready for an event of this scale requires months of careful training and a willingness to spend long hours building endurance, strength and confidence.
Susan worked incredibly hard to arrive at Dalemain prepared to take on the course. She then headed out into the Lake District and covered a significant amount of difficult ground before her race came to an earlier end than planned.
That does not erase a single training mile or diminish the courage required to start.
Taking on the Lakeland 50 is a major achievement in itself, and Susan should be extremely proud of the determination she showed throughout the entire journey.
Laura and Steve Face the Lakeland 100
Laura and Steve lined up in Coniston for the full Lakeland 100—an immense continuous journey through the Lake District that tests even highly experienced ultra runners.
Preparing to cover 100 miles through mountainous terrain requires a level of dedication that is difficult to appreciate unless you have experienced it. Training has to fit around work, family life and all the usual demands of everyday life, often while managing tiredness, niggles and unpredictable conditions.
Both Laura and Steve put in that work.
They committed themselves to the training, prepared for the demands of the route and had the courage to begin a challenge where the outcome is never guaranteed.
Their races ultimately ended before they reached the finish back in Coniston, but every mile they covered was earned. Every climb, descent, checkpoint and difficult moment became part of an experience that few runners will ever attempt.
A Result Never Tells the Whole Story
“DNF” is simply a result code. It tells us where a race ended, but it says nothing about everything it took to begin.
It does not show the winter training runs, the early alarms or the weekends built around increasing mileage. It does not reveal the organisation, sacrifices or mental energy required to prepare for such an enormous undertaking.
Nor does it show how hard someone continued working before their day finally came to an end.
Ultra running involves stepping into uncertainty. Every runner begins knowing that distance, terrain, weather, nutrition, navigation and countless other factors can change the course of the day.
That uncertainty is part of what makes standing on the start line so brave.
Susan, Laura and Steve were prepared to test themselves against two of the toughest events available. The fact that the finish line remained out of reach this time does not make their efforts any less worthy of recognition.
Experience That Will Travel Forward
There will undoubtedly be disappointment because each of them invested so much and wanted to complete their chosen distance.
However, the weekend also provided experience that cannot be gained from a training plan alone.
The lessons taken from preparing for the races, managing the opening miles, moving through difficult terrain and dealing with the demands of the day will all travel forward into whatever comes next.
Sometimes running gives us the result we hoped for. At other times, it gives us knowledge, perspective and an even greater understanding of ourselves.
Both have value.
Proud of All Three
A huge well done to Susan, Laura and Steve for representing Carn Runners at the Lakeland 50 and 100.
You worked incredibly hard to reach those start lines, took on challenges that most people would never contemplate and continued for as far as you could.
There is no failure in that.
We are enormously proud of the commitment, courage and determination shown by all three of you—and we know this will not be the final chapter in any of your running stories. 💙💛
