My first Lakeland 50…
The Lakeland 50 was a fantastically organised race with a real family, community feel to it.
I think I’ve said before—it’s like being a parent. People can tell you what it’s like, but until you actually experience it, you don’t fully understand. That’s how it is with this race. You hear people speak about it with such admiration, but it’s hard to truly get it until you’ve done it yourself.
I arrived on the Friday afternoon, drove into Coniston, parked up, and headed to the school where the start & finish line was, and where you collect your race number. The organisation there was fantastic, but even more impressive were the people—so welcoming and genuinely admiring that you were taking part. It’s hard to explain, but the atmosphere was just brilliant.
We were staying in a cottage in Bowness because I wanted a lift to Dalemain, where the 50 starts. You can camp at the start/finish, and they put on coaches, which most people use. I’d heard they were well organised.
At the start line, there was a great buzz. Dalemain is about halfway for the Lakeland 100 runners, so you start seeing a steady trickle of them come through while you’re getting ready. The 50 kicks off with a loop of the Dalemain estate—about four miles—before you come back past the start line and head towards Pooley Bridge. That’s when it really feels like you’re into the race.
The section to the first checkpoint at Howtown is good, runnable trail with a bit of elevation out of Pooley Bridge. I kept it steady, not going too hard too soon. The trail is compact, well-defined, and even in wet weather would hold up well.
From Howtown, you go up and over Fusedale—famous among Lakeland runners. This is more fell running territory, with steep inclines and technical ground. In the wet, it would be a real slog. There’s a lot of power hiking here, broken up by the odd runnable section. Once over the top, you drop towards Haweswater, staying high along the fells. The descent into Haweswater is technical and narrow, and if you’re stuck behind slower runners it’s hard to pass. The path along the lake is rocky, sloped, and a bit of a grind.
The second checkpoint, Mardale Head, marks the start of another big climb. You head up and over towards Kentmere, again on rocky but well-defined paths. Once you crest the climb, it’s a long, runnable descent into Kentmere for the next checkpoint.
From Kentmere to Troutbeck, the running is good once you’re past the initial climb. You hit the road into Troutbeck, pass the post office, and then skirt around towards Ambleside.
Running into Ambleside (34 miles in) is incredible—crowds line the streets, clapping and cheering you through. For me, reaching Ambleside meant there was no turning back: 16 miles left, and I knew I’d finish.
From there, you skirt around Loughrigg towards Skelwith Bridge, with some short, steep climbs before a flat stretch through Chapel Stile and Langdale. After Langdale, there’s a climb over to Tilberthwaite, the last checkpoint. Only 3–4 miles to go, but it starts with a steep, technical scramble before it opens up into runnable ground.
The final descent into Coniston is steep and rocky, but once you hit the road it’s a fast run to the finish. I managed a 4:50/km pace on that last stretch after 50 miles, buzzing all the way.
Crossing the line is something special. Everyone gets their name announced, someone checks you’re okay, and you’re handed your medal. The atmosphere is unreal—absolutely electric.
This is one of those races that the people love, and for good reason. The ballot opens on 1st September—definitely worth getting in your diary. I’ll be entering again for next year. The conditions might be completely different, but that’s part of the challenge and the excitement.
What a race. What an event. What a privilege to be part of it.
Duncan Bennett
Endurance runner
Peak Performance Endurance Coaching
