Nav4 Tour de Helvellyn
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Winter Mountain Running in the Lake District
The NAV4 Tour de Helvellyn is a mountain trail event held annually on the shortest Saturday of December. The route covers a distance of approximately 38 miles with around 2000m of ascent and descent. Starting and finishing at Askham Community Centre, the course follows a circuit around the Helvellyn range, primarily using mountain trails, bridleways, and minor lanes.
The event is designed for experienced and self-reliant runners. The course is unmarked and requires participants to have strong navigational skills and winter fell running experience. This is a low-key event with minimal support, and individual crew teams, pacing, or spectators at checkpoints are not permitted. Participation is strictly limited to 200 starters who are competent in challenging mountain terrain.
Available distance:
- 38 miles (approx. 61 km)
Participants must navigate through a series of eight checkpoints, including Martindale Church, Side Farm, and Swirls car park. Three roadside checkpoints provide drinks such as water, squash, tea, and coffee. A kit check is conducted at the start line, and participants must carry mandatory safety gear, including waterproofs, thermal layers, an insulated jacket, a headtorch, a compass, a whistle, a survival bag, and a physical hardcopy map. Electronic navigation devices are not accepted as a primary map source.
Registration is available on Friday evening and Saturday morning at Askham. On-site parking and limited pre-booked campervan spaces are available. After finishing, participants are provided with tea, coffee, soup, and cakes at the community centre. Open Tracking trackers are used for timing and safety monitoring throughout the race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
