CENTURY CHALLENGE
Alex Staniforth takes on a Lake District century run that dips a toe in each of the region's lakes, meres and waters
One hundred miles. It's quickly becoming the new yardstick of distance for running; a raison d'etre for elite and recreational runners alike. Amd what better place to start than the Lake District National Park? This mecca for ultra-endurance is already well known for the Bob Graham Round, Lakeland 50/100, Windermere Marathon and a rich calendar of fell races throughout the year.
For most runners, however, the region's lakes, meres and waters endurance challenge remains a mystery.
First devised and completed by Leo Pollard in June 1981, the trial has few criterion: touch all 26 of the lakes, meres and waters within the Lake District National Park, in one go. There is no set route, but most choose to start from Loweswater or Over Water. Each stage of the challenge must be supported and witnessed to be officially ratified by the Achille Ratti Climbing Club, who co-ordinate the challenge to this day. There is no time limit, either, rendering the feat within reach of most determined runners willing to spend the time on their feet and keep moving forwards.
At approximately 105 miles and over 21,000ft of elevation gain, it’s not exactly the most forgiving initiation to the elusive 100-mile club, taking in the summits of Red Pike, The Old Man of Coniston and High Street, plus Nan Bield Pass and Sticks Pass. The route is still less relenting and technical than the Bob Graham Round, but explores some unusual and obscure corners of the Lakes, with a mezze of everything in between.
I first came across the challenge in the recent book The Lakes, Meres and Waters by Vivienne Crow, recalling the account of Joss Naylor MBE and his blistering record of 19 hours, 14 minutes time set in 1983 which, unsurprisingly, stands strong today. Joss described the route as “summat special,” and as an avid fell runner it had sparked my curiosity. The opportunity to follow in the still lesser-trodden footsteps of fell running royalty was too good to pass up.
Only 19 people had officially completed the feat, and at 26 years of age I discovered that I could be the youngest. With an arbitrary target of sub-30 hours, I set out to join this exclusive club.
The weather played in our favour with a crisp bluebird day at Loweswater. Peter Todhunter and Dave Elliott, part of Joss’s original support team, were there to see me crouch down, touch the water and start the timer at 8am.
Ben and I quickly found our rhythm along the lakeside trails, resisting the urge for photos of the intense stillness of Crummock Water and Buttermere. A punishing climb over Red Pike was the most direct route into Ennerdale, witnessed
