Anyone lucky enough to be living in the Lake District is blessed with a cornucopia of choice for trails, fells, peaks and Wainwrights. It’s also home to the legendary Bob Graham Round, that sees gritty fell runners attempt to bag the 42 highest peaks in less than 24 hours. There is so much to see – that it’s difficult to know where to start.

So, when I received the invite from adventure racing supremos, Open Adventure, asking me if I’d like to run their inaugural ultra – I hesitated for only a few seconds before saying ‘Yes’. A full traverse of the Lake District from the northern tip at Calbeck to the very southernmost point at Cartmel, it sounded like it would be a great adventure and a wonderful way to experience the best of the Lakes.

©Dave MacFarlane Digital Media

If you were to cast a casual glance at the route map, which I did quite a bit of before the event, you’ll quickly see that what makes this race particularly unusual is that that the first half is pure unadulterated fell running at its best, following much of Leg 2 of the Bob Graham Round until Ambleside. It’s at this point that you’ll get a very different experience – trail running along the edge of Lake Windermere and beyond.

Armed with just a map, compass and a pack full of mandatory kit (the weather can change at the drop of a hat in the Lakes), we’d run some 50 miles and 4000 metres of lung busting ascent from Caldbeck, at the very tip of the Lake District, to Cartmel, tucked away at the southern edge. What’s not to like about that?

Nothing, it turns out. Whether you’re a seasoned ultra marathon runner, gnarly fell runner or novice trail runner – this is a race that offers something for everyone.

Having been racing back to back weekends, I decided to take this one easy. But as anyone who lives in the Lakes might tell you, there’s nothing easy about 50 miles up hill and down dale. Especially with 4000m of ascent and decent.

By the time I arrived in Cartmel, some thirteen and a half hours later, I was grinning from ear to ear. It was every bit an adventure as it promised to be. Except now, I was torn between what I enjoy more – trail running or fell running. I’ll have to come back next year to make up my mind!

Next year’s Lakes in a Day Ultra run takes place on 10th October 2015. For more information, check out their website.

©James Kirby