‘That’s Lyth’ LDWA Challenge Event Sunday, 27^th January 2008

As a change from our usual Sunday morning training run Stewart suggested we did ‘That’s Lyth’ organised by the LDWA. It was a 23 mile challenge event which meant runners were welcome. Seemed a good idea and so the entry went off in good time. Just as well as the event was a sell out with a limit of 300.

When Sunday morning dawned, it didn’t seem such a good idea, an 0800hrs start at Kendal meant an 0500hrs alarm! The scout hut in Kendal was buzzing with a real mix of people, both runners and walkers; a few familiar faces but the majority unknown. It never ceases to amaze me that these, and hundreds of other events, have gone on all over the country for years and I have never seen or heard of them. The kettle was on and there was a constant supply of tea for the competitors - a theme which continued all day. A lot of the walkers even carried their own mugs with them. We checked in and received a laminated label that we hung round our necks on string and presented for stamping at each checkpoint (CP).

The start was low key. We all gathered in the road. An old chap, who founded the race, said a few words and that was it - off we went through the streets of Kendal, climbing out of the town at a steady pace, (well Stewart and I were). Everyone was provided with a very detailed route guide, which is invaluable unless you know the route. The detail in the guide is marvellous:

“ Ahead and 200 yards after second gateway fork left steeply uphill then right on track to edge of golf course. Follow waymarks through two gap stiles (wall on right) to ladder-stile and footbridge over by-pass.”

The first checkpoint, Crosthwaite School, at 7 miles seemed to come up fairly quickly as we had been jogging along chatting. The school the hall had been carpeted with a plastic groundsheet to protect the floor from muddy feet and the table was loaded with cakes and drinks. I had a couple of pieces of buttered malt loaf and a couple of cups of orange. This was all very civilised but we felt we ought to carry on. Stewart’s calf had tightened up but he felt OK to continue.

The route carried on mostly over fields and along tracks and footpaths with some road before climbing to the top of Whitbarrow where the wind was serious and keeping your balance was sometimes a challenge. The route description kept us on track:

“Ahead with wall on left to follow good path to Whitbarrow summit memorial cairn. Continue west down cairned path, then left along edge of scar to wooden stile in wall (GR 440865). Descend steeply through woods bear left behind goalposts, cross stile, then right across fields to Witherslack Hall.”

Next stop was Witherslack Parish hall at 14 miles. Here I was tempted by a hot dog washed down with a couple of cups of orange then away once again. By this point we were starting to turn back towards Kendal. With less than 10 miles to go, Stewart’s calf was very tight by now but he wanted to finish. We ran past the Gilpin Bridge Inn and I was on familiar ground having run a midweek 10K near here some years ago, Levens 10K? Part of the route involves a dead straight country road which seems to go on for miles…. Well it felt a long way today! At this point, as we turned a sharp bend, I caught a glimpse of two runners catching us at speed. One of them was Natalie White, British and English Female fell running Champion 2006. I had never been in front of her in a race, (sorry – Challenge Event). It turned out she had got lost on Whitbarrow!

CP3 at 18 miles was in someone’s garage! Another warm welcome and plenty of cakes and drinks. I managed parkin this time with a couple of cups of orange to wash it down.

“Leave CP by garden path to lane and take stile almost opposite, joining cart track to road.”

This was the home leg. As we climbed up towards Scout Scar, the limestone was getting a bit painful under my feet and I was tiring. Stewart was clearly suffering with his calf but kept going. The top of Scout Scar was riddled with paths and we got mis-placed for a while but picked up the right path for the descent into Kendal over the old racecourse and back through the streets to the scout hut where we checked in after 4hrs 22 mins.

After several cups of tea I declined the soup and bread but did manage a couple of bowls of rice pudding with peaches – wonderful!

What a great morning out: 23 miles, 3200 feet of ascent and all the food you can eat for a £6 entry fee!

I don’t think they publish results for these events but there was a hand written note on the table at the end with the times for the first ten people home. The first of which had completed it in just over 2hrs 50 mins – I bet he didn’t stop for many cakes at the checkpoints.

Written by: Richard Davies

Submitted: 29^th January 2008

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor