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Thinking about adding 13 Valleys Ultra to your race calendar? Endurance athlete Jenny Lucas-Hill caught up with 2 Valleys finisher Patrick Alexander, 7 Valleys finisher Steven Le Tocq and 13 Valleys winner Mark Darbyshire to get the lowdown on what makes this race quite so special. With top tips from these runners' first-hand experiences, our 13 Valleys Ultra race guide gives you everything you need to know about this Lake District trail running event.
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13 Valleys Ultra celebrates the unique 13 valleys of the Lake District National Park. With four distances on offer, this is an event which welcomes runners with a range of trail running experience.
While all four routes stick to established footpaths, expect to encounter a variety of terrain, significant elevation and of course the possibility of challenging and changeable weather conditions. Climbing legs and mental resilience are a must when taking on this epic challenge.
Location - Awe-inspiring scenery makes this the ultimate runner’s playground
Located in Cumbria in the North West of England, UK, the Lake District National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Rugged vistas and awe-inspiring fells are punctuated by glassy lakes. Here you’ll find the tallest mountain in England, Scafell Pike, and the deepest lake – Wastwater. A playground for runners, wild swimmers, hikers, water-sport enthusiasts and mountain-bikers alike, the Lake District provides over 900 square miles of stunning landscape to explore.
Nestled away between the fells, the valleys and the lakes you’ll find quintessential market towns and picturesque villages. All four routes at the 13 Valleys event finish in the town of Keswick, the most northerly of the Lake District towns just a 10-minute walk from Derwentwater lake. With outdoor shops, boutiques and restaurants in town, Keswick is an ideal base for exploring all that the Lakes has to offer.
Taking place in September, the famously changeable weather of the Lake District is liable to bring wet and windy conditions to race day. Make sure you’re prepared for all weather scenarios!
Why race... 13 Valleys Ultra
Bragging rights aside, what makes the 13 Valleys Ultra worth the challenge? Hear from three finishers to find out why you should be adding this challenging but beautiful adventure to your race calendar.
Route & distances at 13 Valleys Ultra
The 13 Valleys Ultra event offers up four different distances for runners to tackle. The 2 Valleys trail route is ideal for those not yet ready to take on an ultra-distance, covering just over 21km. The 5 and 7 valleys routes cover 55km and 110km respectively. And for the ultimate challenge, experience all 13 valleys with the 180km route.
Each route features a significant amount of elevation for the distance, along with technical terrain and the possibility of adverse weather conditions. It’s certainly not a challenge to be taken lightly, but with the right kit and preparation the 13 Valleys events can be an incredible way to appreciate just how magical the Lake District National Park is.
DISTANCE
Elevation
Cut OFF TIME
suitability
endurance
navigation
technicality
DISTANCE
Elevation
Cut OFF TIME
suitability
endurance
navigation
technicality
athlete tip
DISTANCE
Elevation
Cut OFF TIME
suitability
endurance
navigation
technicality
athlete tip
DISTANCE
Elevation
Cut OFF TIME
suitability
endurance
navigation
technicality
athlete tip
Qualification & race entry
For the 2, 5 and 7 Valleys routes, runners do not have a minimum qualification standard to meet. But given the potential for tough conditions and the rolling terrain, a suitable level of experience will still be required. For the full 13 Valleys route, competitors will need to agree to a self-declaration statement at the point of entry. 13 Valleys is registered with the International Trail Running Association and finishers will be awarded up to a maximum of 6 ITRA points (depending on distance).
5% of every race entry fee will be donated to the Lake District National Park Foundation.
Race prep & route recce
Every route at the 13 Valleys Ultra event carries with it a significant amount of elevation gain and a degree of uneven and technical terrain. For all the distances, training should include an appropriate amount of hill training – making sure you practice technical descents as well as the uphill running. Ensure you’re competent at running on a variety of terrain. For those completing the 13 Valleys and 7 Valleys routes, it’s vital that you’re accustomed to navigating technical sections in the dark – if possible, do a recce of the sections of the course you’ll be running on through the night in advance so you’re familiar with the terrain. Keep an eye on the 13 Valleys Ultra website for further details of organised recce days, set to be announced soon.
While the shorter routes are waymarked, and those completing the 110 and 180km distances will be provided with a GPX file. It’s important not to rely on your GPS watch for navigation. Practice using a route map and familiarise yourself with the course as much as possible, so if your watch runs out of battery you won’t get lost.
Travel & accommodation
It’s surprisingly easy to get around in the Lake District, even without a car, thanks to plenty of public transport options linking the various towns and villages.
Keswick itself has an array of accommodation options, including hotels, Air BnBs, bed and breakfasts, youth hostels and campsites. But don’t rule out other local villages, such as Portinscale. It’s still well-located for the race village – only a 15 minute walk along a footpath.
Race support & spectators
It’s important to note that for much of the route, runners are expected to be self-supported. That being said, participants are allowed to receive support from friends and family along the course, including at some of the checkpoints. A list of the checkpoints that welcome spectators can be found on the event website. Medical support can also be found at checkpoints, and runners will be given the telephone number for event control should assistance be required away from a checkpoint.
Race-cation
As part of 13 Valleys Ultra’s sustainability initiative, runners are encouraged to extend their stay in the Lake District beyond the event weekend to maximise the benefits of their travel. And with so much to see and do in the area, it really is the ultimate destination for a race-cation!
In the days immediately after the race, some of the Lake District’s more energetic activities such as hiking, mountain biking and canyoning might be off the agenda – for runners at least. But there’s certainly plenty of activities to keep your support crew busy while you recuperate from your race effort.
For recovery, there’s nothing better than a dip in the cool water of one of the 16 lakes in the area. Derwentwater is the closest lake to Keswick, though it can be slightly busier with boats. The quieter lakes of Bassenthwaite and Buttermere are also close by. If swimming isn’t your thing, you can also explore Derwentwater with a 50 minute cruise on the Keswick Launch or hire a boat if you fancy playing captain for a day.
The Lake District also offers plenty of cafes and coffee shops for that post-race refuel. Local recommendations include The Lingholm Kitchen on the shore of Derwentwater with a café, bakery and a walled garden to explore. The Sawmill, located on the banks of the River Irt in Wasdale serves up locally sourced food in the café, with a farm shop on site and a working waterwheel.
In Keswick itself, you’ll find Bar Es Tapas slightly off the main route with a lively atmosphere and great tapas. Star of Siam is another recommended choice if you’re in the mood for some amazing Thai food. Just keep in mind that Keswick is a very popular spot for day trippers and hikers, so restaurants can get busy. Make your plans for dinner in advance and book ahead to make sure you won’t go hungry!
There’s so much to experience in this stunning part of England, that you’ll most likely come away from your trip to the Lake District National Park with a list of activities you want to come back and do another time. Which sounds like the perfect excuse to return for the 13 Valleys Ultra event year after year.
