My return for the 3rd year in a row must tell you something about what I think of this race….I love it!
One of the toughest marathons on the calendar but thoroughly worthwhile, the scenery is stunning!
It is described as a trail marathon but if it was described as a fell race I wouldn’t disagree. The course terrain is very technical with lots of rocky paths in places and tree routes in others. You have to constantly have your wits about you and keep altering your stride length to navigate over and round all the natural obstacles.
The scenery rewards you many times over for the difficulty of the course with breathtaking views. This year the course started and finished at Coniston Old Hall a wonderful stone old building with fantastic wooden beams inside. The course takes you clockwise around Coniston. Early into the race you come to one of the most picturesque lakes I’ve ever seen called Tarn Hows. Just after half way you find yourself running along a ridge of hills in the Grizedale forest overlooking Coniston with it’s village far below on the other side of the lake. At this point I actually stopped for a minute to appreciate the view but made the most of the moment and took on an energy gel. During the second half of the race there was very little tree cover and the heat of the day made the hilly course even harder. We went around the boggy Beacon Tarn where at one point I nearly lost my shoe in the mud and was very relieved to see my timing chip was still attached when I pulled it out.
After the last water station the course makes its way to the shore of Lake Coniston for the last few miles. As we descended to the shore we ran through a field of bright pink foxgloves, I’ve never seen so many together, it made for a wonderful splash of colour.
After negotiating more tree roots we eventually have the finish in sight but before we can rest we are made to do a large lap of the field. I finished in 3 hour 55 minutes 45 seconds. Very pleased considering the heat and thoroughly enjoyed standing in the lake for half an hour afterwards to cool down.
It was nice to meet some of my marathon friends including 10in10er’s Fozzy and Paul.
