“Welcome to Lapland!” Announced eccentric northern Irish race director Davey Newell at 5.50am on 9th May 2026 at the start line of The Lap clockwise. 47 miles of Lake District trails which sees runners and walkers do a lap of lake Windermere. Don’t be fooled, casual saunter along lakeside paths it is not. Four MACs were due to be on the start line but with two deferring to next year through injury, it fell to Jack Cummins and Caroline Robertson to represent the club. Quite literally, as Jack was spotted at registration sporting his 50th anniversary hoody.
The event has a festival type vibe with big screen to track runners, camping options, bar and mini race village. With registration and kit check on Friday night it’s a hive of activity for the whole weekend.
An early start time of 6.00am gifts participants maximum daylight to get round the course and enjoy the early miles without traffic from other users. It claims to be the best way-marked ultra around and with 3000 blue arrows to follow, you can’t possibly get lost. (Unless you’re the chap who did finish first but got a time penalty for cutting a small section and sadly got bumped to 2nd 😬)
The route starts from Low Cunsey Farm near Far Sawrey with a short early section along lakeside tarmac before entering the undulating woodland near Claife Heights. Skelwith Bridge is the first major checkpoint area, connecting to the lower valley trails. The first big climb is Loughrigg Fell offering panoramic views over Rydal Water and Windermere. An enjoyable descent down into Ambleside follows where hoards of spectators were ready to welcome you through the park in town. Jack was spotted looking fresh as a daisy and stopped for a chat, full of energy in good spirits. Brace yourself because next up is the long climb up Wansfell Pike. Everytime you think you can see the top. Guess what. There’s more. This is the highest point of the route with stunning views. One runner thought the location worthy of a proposal as Caroline witnessed a couple get engaged at the top!
Following this is Troutbeck Valley and the main checkpoint where participants can have a small drop bag waiting for them containing strictly spare shoes only and anything you can fit in them! Elite level packing from Caroline meant she fitted a full top to toe change of clothes in hers and took the time to freshen up before moving on. This is also home to the famous free stone baked pizza. Davey advised at the briefing that 2 slices was the sweet spot and 3 would likely mean seeing them again, so it was decided it was wise to follow this! The aid stations on the course are top level with everything you could want and more.
The next point of interest is Orrest Head, A panoramic viewpoint above Windermere town followed by Gummer’s How on the eastern side, tackled with some growing leg fatigue. Newby Bridge marks the southernmost tip of the lake where we make the turn back towards HQ. Steep descending ground with plenty of loose rocks and shingle to navigate added plenty of challenge on tired legs. Jack rightly noted after that the final miles through the lakeside and woodland of Graythwaite Estate would be tough even on fresh legs. Those final undulations, climbs and tree roots to dance over with significantly impaired physical and cognitive function, meant digging deep. A final quarter of a mile dash through the field to the finish arch sees you rewarded with a warm welcome, medal, t shirt, hot dog and pop up professional photo opportunity.
A really special event and it’s no wonder acquiring a place is like getting tickets for Glastonbury and people return year on year
Thanks to David Robertson and the kids for their exceptional spectating dashing round the course, they clocked up 12 miles on foot over the day!
Jack, who is no stranger to an ultra showed his ever growing proficiency at these big distances with a consistent run. He kept up an impressive pace to finish in 10 hrs 24 mins for 89th male and 108th overall. Incredible running.
Caroline was taking on her first ultra event and ran very much within herself to safeguard a positive experience. She had an all round fabulous time gaining many places over the final third finishing in 12 hrs 58 mins, 102nd Female, 434th overall. There were 1,139 finishers.
