Your words: Ambleside Trail 25k & 50k
Feedback from those who have experienced the event and why you should not hesitate in entering the event!
We asked previous entrants for their feedback on the Brathay Ambleside Trail 25k and 50k event and they didn't disappoint! Thank you all so much for taking the time to send us over your personal experience of the race. We were fully open to receiving both good and any not so good feedback but it turns out that you all had a very positive experience!
We are so proud to see this event happening again for 2023. It all began when we had our 60th anniversary in 2019 and we wanted to put together an anniversary race to celebrate not only our heritage but the Lake District itself and also one that helps support and raise money for a local charity, in this case, the Brathay Trust. There really is no better place for such an event and it certainly wouldn't of been possible without the event logistics and organisation from Brathay.
SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, 17th September 2023
Rothay Park, Ambleside
Your words…
“I ran the 50K but had to DNF (first time) with a recurring hamstring problem at halfway at the CP by Coniston...but the lead marshal there (forgot his name, but works for Brathay) was so friendly and helpful. Checked I was OK and gave me a lift back to the finish. A great event and lovely course.”
“I ran in the 2022 50k and was delighted I made the effort – I live in Hampshire so had a big drive up and back. The course itself is wonderful – lots to take in as you go around, and lots of variety underfoot. The whole event was very friendly and personal. The start was informal, not too many runners, and the briefing to the point, so we were able to get underway without much ado. The feed stations were well stocked and the volunteers brilliant. Lots of support if you needed it. At the finish there’s plenty of room to sit around on the grass with other runners and have a chat about the race. I stayed up the night before at Brathay Hall, in one of the lodge rooms, just outside of Ambleside – a decent room at a decent price. Went out for dinner with a couple of other runners staying there. All in all; outstanding.”
“Amazing event, I ran the 50k in 2022 (my first ultra). All staff and volunteers were very kind and helpful. The checkpoints had everything you needed to get you around the amazing course! Well worth the entry fee and helps a great charity at the same time.”
“At 56, I entered my first off road race the Ambleside 25k. I didn’t really have a clue what to expect apart from there being hills! Loving the Lake District I wasn’t disappointed. The course was so varied and scenic that there was no time to worry that I wasn’t going to get round it. A local guy warned me about the hill at mile 9, say hill more of a mountain to me, got cramp in my calf halfway up but going again. Lots of encouragement from other runners and a local man doing the 50k really spurred me on during the last mile. Food stations were brilliant, it was a well organised friendly race. Definitely on my list for this year would love to try the 50k if I can find someone mad enough to do it with me! ”
“I was runner 101 in last year’s 50k - and had such an amazing day in my year of retirement. I’d always dreamed of running an ultra but knew it needed generous cut offs and a well-marked course. And another wish was that it was local to me and supported a local cause. The Ambleside 50k ticked all the boxes on paper. Six months of committed training, working out kit and nutrition and I was ready to stand on the Start Line. Excited but nervous as I waited there -everyone else looking younger and fitter in my eyes. It was a glorious day - the route was clearly marked -the checkpoints and feed stations were full of goodies and friendly supportive marshals. Anyone who is asking if this is for me, I’d say enter now, commit to a training plan and on the day you’ll have an unforgettable experience.”
Personal momento
“For context I’m a 47-year-old that has bipolar disorder. I used to run (for example 14 marathons and a couple of ultra in 2014), before having to stop due to a series of significant illnesses caused by side effects from the myriad of medication I have to take. I was told I would never run again. Roll on two and a half years and due to making some changes in my life, I was healthy enough to run again! After completing the NHS Couch to 5k in the latter months of 2021. By the start of 2022 I was venturing out onto the fells and trails of the Lake District again. I knew I needed a focus for the year, so I started signing up for a few events. For once I wasn’t impulsive and signed up to the Ambleside 25k Trail Race. However, it wasn’t long before my confidence made me to switch to the 50k. As I got closer to the event, I had a reality check and got back in touch with the Brathay Trust and returned to my original plan of running the 25k. My dealings with the Brathay Trust were fantastic despite my chopping and changing they were always very pleasant and supportive.
Race day arrived and I was feeling a little nervous. Registration was brilliant though and the event staff were so nice. After watching my partner start the 50k I had a couple of hours to calm myself down. I got a coffee and just chilled in the event village. Time soon past and I was swiftly among the other competitors at the event briefing before we were starting and making our way on the trails. The route was absolutely beautiful, but certainly quite challenging. It wasn’t just the climbs that were tough, but some of the terrain was fairly technical. It was awesome though. I met so many fantastic runners along the route, who were both friendly and encouraging which really added to an already beautiful experience. The marshals on the route and aid stations were all amazing, making sure I was okay (I was) and had everything I needed, and they were really encouraging too. I was pacing myself fairly steadily as my main aim was to get around in one piece 😁 and enjoy where I was. I was doing this quite well, though nothing prepared me for that monster climb just after the last aid station though, it was a proper spicy 🔥 one! Once I made it to the top of that last climb it was quite a nice run into the finish. Crossing over the footbridge into the finish field and hearing my name being called over the loudspeaker was really special. After being congratulated by the finish line staff and receiving my very cool medal and bottle of bespoke beer I was able to chill on the grass and contemplate what I’d achieved. I have run further on the trails before, but this time it was hugely significant. This was one of the toughest trail races that I’d ever participated in, but I had finished it. Someone that looks like me and has my conditions does not generally do events like this, but they should!
I was also very pleased to have finished the race ‘quick’ enough to be able to cheer my partner Kath as she finished the 50k race looking very strong. What an amazing and affirming experience. I should also say that being able to race in such a beautiful area knowing that you’ve also contributed to funding a vital charity is a very nice feeling.
The following weekend armed with my new found sense of confidence I participated in the 100mph 24hr event at Watchtree Nature Reserve and amazed myself and contributed 100k (62 miles) to the 24hr tally. This is the farthest I’ve ever ran in one go and I’m pretty sure that without the experience of the Ambleside 25k, I wouldn’t have at the self believe to achieve this ridiculous milestone. So, thank you Brathay Trust and all those involved 👏”
“Loved the first Ambleside 25k and I entered again for 2023 asap and have encouraged others to join me from my running club. Challenging but achievable terrain including steep ascents of Loughrigg and Silver How. Great new event and I enjoyed the well stocked feed stations and bespoke Hawkshead Brewery beer at the end complementing the bottle opener medal”
Matt Le Voi of Lakeland Mountain Guides and LMG Personal Training, put together a brilliant blog piece which captures his race from the very start to the very end. It is well worth the read - thanks Matt for contributing!
Matt Le Voi of LMG Personal Training at the finish of the Trail 50k
Finish line smiles!
At Brathay, they know everyone has the capacity to do extraordinary things that can inspire and benefit others. This drives their mission to improve the life chances of children, young people and families by inspiring them to engage positively in their communities.
The experiences Brathay create inspire children and young people to make positive changes that will last a lifetime.
Brathay work with over 7,000 young people every year, close to their homes or on residentials in the Lake District. By focusing on the skills, attitudes and behaviours that young people need to develop their potential, their employability and their resilience, they empower them to make active choices that will benefit them, and the people around them.
Brathay challenge events, including the Ambleside Trail 25k and 50k, provide a great platform to support Brathay Trust's work to improve the life chances of thousands of vulnerable children and young people.
Quite the backdrop…
