Lake District Ultra Challenge
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Event overview
The Lake District Ultra Challenge takes place in the Southern Lake District with basecamp in Kendal on 6-7 June 2026. The event offers multiple route formats including a continuous looped Full Challenge of about 100 km (Kendal loop) with approximately 2500 m of climb, and a 2-day 100 km option split into two 50 km stages with overnight camping or YMCA accommodation at the half-way point by Lake Windermere. The route passes Garburn Pass, Ambleside and lakeside sections of Windermere, and includes forests and nature reserves.
Distances
- 100 km full continuous loop, ~2500 m climb
- 100 km over 2 days (2 x 50 km; 1300 m and 1200 m climbs)
- 50 km Kendal to Lakeside or Lakeside to Kendal
- 42 km Lakes Marathon, Kendal to Ambleside, ~1200 m climb
- 29 km quarter route, Kendal to Ambleside, ~900 m climb
- 10 km Ambleside loop, ~350 m climb
Support, services and categories
Participants have covered rest stops approximately every 12.5 km with major stops at about 25/50/75/100 km, snack stops every 12.5 km and meals every 25 km. Services include hot and cold drinks, catering for dietary requirements, medical teams, podiatrists and massage, baggage and changing facilities, a timing system that scans progress at rest stops, and GPS tracking via a mobile app. Camping packages, hostel options and shuttle transfers to nearby train stations are available. The event includes an Ultra March category for walkers aiming for set target times and a new Trailblazerz category for faster, time-targeted runners. Registration fees for self-funded places are listed for each distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
