Lake District
Ultra Challenge®
- Southern Lakes
- 100 km Loop, 50 / 25 km, & Marathon
- Ambleside 10K
- New 'ULTRA MARCH' Option
- Kendal - Basecamp
- Camping / Hostel Packages
- Transfers
8/9 June '24
Take on England’s finest countryside at your pace. Our Challenge basecamp is in Kendal, and then it’s a 100km anticlockwise loop taking in a couple of tough hills, the Garburn Pass, historic Ambleside, a half way point by Lake Windermere, forests & nature reserves – with some stunning views en-route, before a huge welcome & celebration back at basecamp after a momentous journey. You’ll get full support & hospitality, optional camping / hostel accommodation, and with half, a new marathon, quarter & 10 K distance options also, there’s a Lake District Challenge for everyone!
The Ultra Challenge Experience
Endurance events for a wide range of fitness & ages – and the UK’s #1 series of treks & trail runs. Choose your Challenge – do it at your pace, and there’re 16 events in the Series. Our support enables you to go further, whilst enjoying the great outdoors & camaraderie. There’re marquee rest stops, lots of food & drink, medical & massage teams, with a fully signed route to guide you. A big finish-line celebration awaits with an amazing sense of achievement, and once the aches subside you’ll feel energised, and up for more of life’s real challenges!
Good preparation & smart planning are key to successfully completing an Ultra Challenge. From the moment you sign up you’ll have access to our Challenge App, with training guides, optional training walks & runs, maps, on the day info, and online forums. We will also keep you updated with any news & challenge updates via notifications through the app and emails.
Keeping you well fed & hydrated is key to getting you across that finish line successfully & safely. Whichever distance you are signed up every meal and snack stop is included in your entry so you can expect:
- Regular snack stops every 12.5 km
- Meal/ food every 25 km
- Hot drinks, water & energy drinks at all stops
- We cater for every dietary requirement
- Lighter options for ‘runners’
- Finishers meal
We have Rest Stops every 12.5 km or so with ‘major’ ones at ~25/50/75/100 km. Our Rest Stops are like no others – along side a large medical area and catering services they are all covered infrastructure (to keep you out of the sun or rain!) – here there will be a place to sit down and put your feet up, use any of the facilities (toilets, medics, changing rooms, rest areas, baggage pick up). Manned by our team to help with any query or questions you have!
There’re pink arrows to guide you, distance markers, glow-sticks at night, hazard signs, and a route map in the App. Our ‘Trek Masters’ organise group departures at night so nobody has to walk solo. Our chip timing system enables our Control Room, and your friends / family, to track your progress through the Rest Stops. New for 2022 – there’s also the option to hire a ‘GEO TRACKER’ – so they can follow you in real time every step of the way – day & night!
For those taking on the Full Challenge (~100 km) across 2 days we have on every event a ‘Base Camp’ set up where you can either book one of our all inclusive camping packages or ‘pitch your own’. Our camp sites have hot showers, drinks stations, chill out areas and are a great way to get some shut eye over the Saturday night, before taking on the 2nd day of your challenge!
Keeping you safe and healthy is our upmost priority – we have a vast experienced team of Doctors, Paramedics, First Aiders, Podiatrists and Masseuses available and on hand at every Rest Stop (as well as roaming the route). You will also have access to a ‘self help’ area at every stop with blister plasters, talcum powder & more should you just need tape yourself up!
We don’t ever want you to forget that moment you reached your goal and crossed over the finish line – our Cheer Squad will ensure that you don’t! You will be given a medal, finisher’s t-shirt, glass of fizz and a photo finish! Before being guided to a finishers meal, drinks & a well earned sit down and rest.
We operate shuttles to and from the nearest train station for anyone needing onward travel after their challenge, the majority of our finish lines also have ample parking so your supporters can meet you and pick you up, as well as we will have specific ‘transfers’ back to other locations – check the individual event pages for full details of the services we will be laying on.
100 km, at your pace, through the day & night if you’re walking.
Kendal Loop
- Saturday 8 June 2024
- Start – Kendal basecamp
- 100 km & 2500 m climb
- Finish – Kendal basecamp
NEW ULTRA MARCH option. See below!
100 km over 2 days, with optional YMCA accommodation or camping packages at half way (by Lake Windemere) – and rest!
Day 1 – Kendal > Lakeside
- Saturday 8 June 2024
- Start – Kendal basecamp
- 50 km & 1300 m climb
- Finish – Lakeside, Windermere
- Optional YMCA accommodation / or camping packages
Day 2 – Lakeside > Kendal
- Sunday 9 June 2024
- Start – Lakeside, Windermere
- 50 km & 1200 m climb
- Finish – Kendal basecamp
A scenic & tough ‘half’ Challenge – the best of the Lakes.
Kendal > Lakeside
- Saturday 8 June 2024
- Start – Kendal basecamp
- 50 km & 1300 m climb
- Finish – Lakeside, Windermere
- Optional YMCA accommodation / or camping at Lakeside
A tough 2nd half covering unique Lake District scenery.
Lakeside > Kendal
- Saturday 8 or Sunday 9 June 2024
- Start – Lakeside, Windermere
- 50 km & 1200 m climb
- Finish line – Kendal basecamp
- Optional YMCA accommodation / or camping at Lakeside (Saturday)
New for 2024. The first 1/4 route + and a 13 km extension around the Ambleside area – with fabulous views.
Kendal > Ambleside
- Saturday 8 June 2024
- Start – Kendal basecamp
- 42 km & ~1200 m climb
- Finish line – Ambleside
Kendal > Ambleside
- Saturday 8 June 2024
- Start – Kendal basecamp
- 29 km & ~900 m climb
- Finish line – Ambleside
Stunning 10 km Ambleside loop
Ambleside > Ambleside
- Saturday 8 June 2024
- Start-line Ambleside
- 10 km & ~ 350 m climb
- Finish line – Ambleside
Your Challenge,
Your Way!
Whether you’re a walker and new to challenge events, an experienced trekker, a marathon enthusiast upping the distance, or a seasoned ultra runner after UTMB points – there’s an Ultra Challenge® for you! Walk, Jog, or Run – as an Individual or a Team, for a charity of your choice or just for you. The Lake District Ultra Challenge is fun, safe, and rewarding – with full support all the way, enabling you to push yourself further in some of England’s finest scenery.
Walk, Hike, or Trek
LAKE DISTRICT
100 km < 24 hrs / 50 km <12 hrs
Up for a NEW Style of Ultra Challenge?
Many who run & jog can crack the 24 hr/100km or 12 hr / 50km target. However, an Ultra March™ is about WALKING at a brisk & consistent pace with like minded challengers to achieve it – a bit like a march! – but taking in the great rest stops & services of the Lake District Ultra Challenge!
- Participants opt in to Ultra March™ category (100km or 1st Half 50km)
- Up to 300 will set off together as a big Ultra March™ group.
- Single Start Time – 10.00am Saturday.
- FREE Ultra March™ T shirt & headband picked up ‘on-the-day’.
- Ultra March™ ‘Pacers’ set min. pace (with ‘sensible’ rest stop time).
- Special Finishers Medal & Certificate .
- ‘Hall of Fame’ on the Ultra Challenge website (optional!).
THE RULES:
Over & above the general Ultra Challenge Rules – with an Ultra March™ it’s:
- STRICTLY WALKING ONLY (no jogging / running)
- Stage times will be ‘checked’ to ensure the above.
- You must complete 100km is sub 24 hrs 50km < 12 hrs to qualify for special medal & certificate.
- If you are ‘outside’ of the 24 hr / 12 hr target – you still celebrate with a conventional ‘Ultra Challenge medal / certificate.
NOT YET SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?
- You will be able to ‘opt’ into the Ultra March™ Category on the ‘100km Continuous’ or 1st Half ~50km Registration / Sign Up Form. So follow the normal ‘Sign Up’ links.
ALREADY SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?
- If you’ve already signed up for 100km (or 1st Half 50km) as a walker – you can ‘switch’ into the Ultra March™ category on this event at ZERO cost. Use the LINK BELOW to request this; select Lake District – and we’ll get it processed.
ULTRA MARCH REQUEST >>
SPRING DEAL
50% OFF Full Charity Places...
Use Code - CHARITY50%
VALID TO 30th APRIL '24
Excludes 10km/10mile Events
+ option to purchase ultra challenge sports cap for £10
How to Join
Do it for yourself/ Self Fund
Pay for your event place in full, with no fundraising required. Sign up & pay online today!
Do it and support a charity/ Fundraise
Pay a registration fee & commit to fundraise for a charity of your choice.
Best Value 'MULTI DEALS' for 3 events or more. Save up to 25%!
Our Charity Partners
We work with many fantastic charities, which benefit from £8+ million / year of Ultra Challenge fundraising. Our ‘Series Partners’ and ‘Challenge Partners’ are some of the UK’s major national & regional charities. Fundraise for one of these ‘Official Partners’ – and it’s 50% OFF the normal charity sponsorship Reg Fees. We also have 50 or so ‘Associate Partners‘ (with 25% OFF normal charity Reg Fees) AND 400+ other ‘Listed Charities’ involved that you can support. Choose your charity – set up a JustGiving sponsorship page – and make your Ultra Challenge® count!
OFFICIAL PARTNERS
50% ofF full sponsorship for charity REG FEE
OTHER PARTNERS
25% ofF full sponsorship for charity REG FEE
or fundraise for over 300+ others
2024
FACTSHEET
All you need to know about the Challenge & how you can take it on. Print it off - or send it to your friends!
Check out
the routes & maps
Corporate Team Packages
Looking for an event to get your team energised - download our information sheet for more information.
16 Amazing Challenges
Over 200,000 adventurers have taken on an Ultra Challenge® so far, and the 16 unique events make up the UK’s biggest & best series of treks & trail runs – which have also raised £50+ million for charities. Whichever challenge you choose, you’ll get full support all the way so you can set a new goal, enjoy the British countryside, and Push Yourself Further! Whoever you are – If you’re up for a challenge, it has to be an Ultra Challenge!
Lake District Ultra Challenge
8-9 June 2024
100 km loop + Half & Quarter Challenge options & Ambleside 10K
1 of 15Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge
5-6 May 2024
106 km ‘Full Island’ Loop + Half & Quarter Island options.
2 of 15London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge
25-26 May 2024
100 km + Half & Quarter Challenge distance options
3 of 15South Coast Ultra Challenge
7-8 Sept 2024
100 km + Half & Quarter Challenge options
4 of 15Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge
18-19 May 2024
100 km + Half & Quarter Challenge options AND Marathon + Double Marathon & Bridport 10K
5 of 15Thames Path Ultra Challenge
14 – 15 Sept 2024
100 km + 3/4 + Half & Quarter Challenge options
+ Thames Bridges 25km Trek (Sat – Central London)
+ Friday Moonlight 10K Walk (Central London)
+ The Henley 10K (Sunday)
6 of 15South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge
3 August 2024
50 km Loop + 25 km & 10 km Challenge options
7 of 15Peak District Ultra Challenge
6-7 July 2024
100 km Loop + Half & Quarter Challenge options & The Bakewell 10 Mile.
8 of 15Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge
22 – 23 June 2024
100 km + Half & Quarter Challenge options.
9 of 15Chiltern 50 Ultra Challenge
28 Sept 2024
50 km Loop + 25 km & 10K Challenge options
10 of 15North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge
27 July 2024
50 km Loop + 25 km & 10km Challenge options.
11 of 15Easter 50 Ultra Challenge
Sat 12 April 2025
Windsor
50 km, 25 km, 0r 10 km Loops
12 of 15London Summer Walk
Sat 24 August 2024
25 KM or 10 KM looped route – Woolwich Start / Finish
13 of 15London Halloween Walk
Sat 26 October 2024
25 KM or 10 KM spooky looped route options. Start / finish – The Oval Cricket Ground ‘dungeon’,
14 of 15NEW – Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge
Sat 12 October 2024
50 KM, 25 KM or 10 KM looped routes options. Start / finish – The Kent Showground nr. Maidstone.
15 of 15