The Grand Tour of Skiddaw

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The Grand Tour of Skiddaw The Grand Tour of Skiddaw in the beautiful Northern Lake District includes two route options. A 50km or a 20 miler.
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Both will take you up the remote and stunning High Pike with the 50km including a climb up the mighty Skiddaw. The Grand Tour of Skiddaw is a 44 (ish) mile trail ultra race taking in the beautiful scenery of the Northern Lake District. The race starts and finishes at Lime House School, Holm Hill, Dalston, Cumbria, CA5 7BX. The route is almost entirely run on public footpaths and bridleways, taking

in a climb up the mighty Skiddaw at the approximate halfway point giving a total of 7136 feet of ascent. The route is brilliantly waymarked, with the gpx file of the route available to download. The entry fee includes tracker hire, finishers t shirt/vest or opt out option , bespoke Lakeland slate medal, free event photographs and all food and drink at the 4 Checkpoints and at the finish. Camping is available onsite @ £5.00 per person, per night.

Let’s have a gate game. What’s the grid reference of this gate?No prize, just bragging rights 🤣❤️ ⛰️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃 ...
08/01/2025

Let’s have a gate game.

What’s the grid reference of this gate?

No prize, just bragging rights 🤣

❤️ ⛰️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃

Hahahaha. Never ask AI for a mountain with a party hat on 🤣🤣🤣Anyhoo …🏃‍♂️ Thank You for an Amazing 2024! 🏃‍♀️As the yea...
31/12/2024

Hahahaha. Never ask AI for a mountain with a party hat on 🤣🤣🤣

Anyhoo …

🏃‍♂️ Thank You for an Amazing 2024! 🏃‍♀️

As the year winds down, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who supported us throughout 2024. Whether you ran, cheered, volunteered, or spread the word about our event, you’ve been part of what makes this community so special. 🌟

2025 is bringing some changes to our race distances, and we’re so grateful for your understanding and enthusiasm. These adjustments were made thoughtfully, taking into account landowner feedback and the need to protect our beautiful trails from erosion. While change isn’t always easy, the running and local community have embraced this with open arms, and we couldn’t be more thankful.

We know there are countless incredible events out there for runners to choose from, so your continued support means the world to us. It inspires us to make GTS the best it can possibly be—for you, for the trails, and for the community that surrounds them.

Here’s to a new year of fresh challenges, epic finishes, and the joy of running together! Thank you for being on this journey with us. We can’t wait to see you at the starting line in 2025!

Sneak peak ….It’s been all busy here behind the scenes at Skidda’ HQ. By ‘busy’ I mean that I’ve been pointing and makin...
22/10/2024

Sneak peak ….

It’s been all busy here behind the scenes at Skidda’ HQ.

By ‘busy’ I mean that I’ve been pointing and making lots of Oooohh and Aaahhh noises at the rebranding work that’s going on.

New website coming soon in all its glorious grown up delight.

Savour the current basic creation of a site I attempted for the short time it’s left. It shows you that I really did skip Computer Science in school because I told the careers advisor “… that’ll never take off”.

🤣

It’s starting to look good for geographical spread in the MRT Challenge Race. Someone tell the Scotland and N.Ireland MR...
25/09/2024

It’s starting to look good for geographical spread in the MRT Challenge Race.

Someone tell the Scotland and N.Ireland MRT units and we’ll have a full house!

If you are a member of any UK based MRT unit then you are eligible for a team entry into the 2025 MRT Challenge Race.

Open to teams of 2 on the Skiddaw 50km … you get to ring a bell on a mountain top 🔔

Pop me an email over at [email protected]

❤️ ⛰️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃 🚑

22/09/2024

TdH is 70% full (race date Dec 21st)

Don’t miss out :

https://www.nav4.co.uk/tour-de-helvellyn

Skiddaw 50km is also 70% full.

The NAV4 team are our Summit Safety team.

Wonder if there’s a connection?

Probably not but I wouldn’t risk missing out on either event 🤣

Weekend round-up …Tell us what you did this weekend. Running or otherwise. Who got caught out by the storms?☔️📸Andy M...
22/09/2024

Weekend round-up …

Tell us what you did this weekend.

Running or otherwise.

Who got caught out by the storms?

☔️

📸Andy Milton Photography

The bells, the bells!!“Will there be a bell on High Pike for the Skiddaw 20 folks?”That’s a grand idea and we’re trying ...
17/09/2024

The bells, the bells!!

“Will there be a bell on High Pike for the Skiddaw 20 folks?”

That’s a grand idea and we’re trying to figure out a way to make it feasible that doesn’t involve the sweep team having to lug it round to Peter House Farm.

Plus not too keen to leave a bell unattended up there. Some tourist may think it’s the best Lake District souvenir of their holiday 🤣

Thinking caps on 🤔

Sometimes it’s difficult coming up with social media posts. Post too much and folks unfollow. Don’t post enough and fo...
09/09/2024

Sometimes it’s difficult coming up with social media posts. Post too much and folks unfollow. Don’t post enough and folks forget you.

It’s a conundrum for sure.

Today I’ve got a little bit of geekery for you.

That fabulous new Skiddaw 20* has thrown up an interesting stat.

It’s currently 94% women on the start list!!

94!!!!! 🥰

I’m all for a bit of female empowerment and it’s a HUGE compliment to be trusted to put on a race where you feel welcomed, safe and seen.

Someone needs to get me one of those ‘I’m here for the women’s race’ t-shirts 🤣

What has this got to do with sheep? Nothing, I just love sheep 🐑

*21.5 but that doesn’t have the same ring 🫣

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ 🐑

Loving some of the team names 🤣Mel & Jo, I think you need to have a bit of a chat and change yours 😉❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃
05/09/2024

Loving some of the team names 🤣

Mel & Jo, I think you need to have a bit of a chat and change yours 😉

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃

Why no waitlists? I’ve had a number of folks ask me this over the last few days so thought my response might be useful ...
04/09/2024

Why no waitlists?

I’ve had a number of folks ask me this over the last few days so thought my response might be useful for others too.

Because experience has taught me that it’s not worth the hassle. Sorry to be blunt.

Basically you either get a place or you don’t. There’s no sitting on a waitlist wondering if your training will be in vain.

Don’t worry though, I expect you’ll still be ok to get your Skiddaw 50 place through this month and possibly into October. Skiddaw 20, I think you’ll be ok through November.

Of course I’m basing that on initial uptake but I could be incredibly wrong too and you might be ok through early next year. 🤷🏼

Whatever the outcome please don’t ask me to make an exception and squeeze you in last minute next year because you were waiting for something better to come along 🤣. It makes it awkward for me and uncomfortable for us both.

If we fill up quicker than you’re ready you can always join the 2025 event crew for a 2026 place. Win/win.

Thanks for listening to my TED Talk.

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃

See that little dot on the horizon …Lingy Hut is always a welcome landmark after your climb over Hike Pike and before yo...
03/09/2024

See that little dot on the horizon …

Lingy Hut is always a welcome landmark after your climb over Hike Pike and before your (possibly* squelchy) descent down Grainsgill Beck.

It seems the new route distances were a good move as the entries over the weekend were triple what they were on opening day last year!

I’m not going to hard sell (it’s not my style) so if you’re waiting to find out if you got through the Lakeland ballot, I think you’ll be ok. There will for sure still be places available … this week 😉

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃

*Definitely squelchy

Go, go, go ...Entries are LIVE!!Be a part of GTS history next year and run one of the new distances 🔔 Skiddaw 50kmSkidda...
01/09/2024

Go, go, go ...

Entries are LIVE!!

Be a part of GTS history next year and run one of the new distances 🔔

Skiddaw 50km
Skiddaw 20mile

There’ll be no waitlist. No matter how nicely you ask. 😜

(Don’t forget to add your camping!)

https://www.racedirector.co.uk/events/grand-tour-of-skiddaw-2025

📸 Jumpy James Photography & Web Andy Milton Photography

Hope you’ve been doing your exercises!!Tomorrow. 10am. 50km or 20miles. No waitlists. Don’t get FOMO.❤️🏃🏃‍♀️⛰️ ...
31/08/2024

Hope you’ve been doing your exercises!!

Tomorrow.

10am.

50km or 20miles.

No waitlists.

Don’t get FOMO.

❤️🏃🏃‍♀️⛰️

THAT descent!For all you ‘Left Turn’ folks, this one’s for you. ❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃📸 Andy Milton Photography
29/08/2024

THAT descent!

For all you ‘Left Turn’ folks, this one’s for you.

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃

📸 Andy Milton Photography

Yes, and we are literally zero threat to their numbers. There is no hidden motive behind the release date for GTS 2025. ...
28/08/2024

Yes, and we are literally zero threat to their numbers.

There is no hidden motive behind the release date for GTS 2025. Both myself and the previous RD have a good history with The Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 and I’m fairly sure Marc Laithwaite is losing no sleep over our little event.

Obviously if you don’t make it through the ballot (we hope you do get a place) you are more than welcome to come join us. In fact, join us even if you do make it through. Consider it recovery training 🤣

And yes, I’ll be entering the ballot too.

❤️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️

Will you be turning left or right?Left takes you for a climb up the mighty Skiddaw with views for days and right takes y...
28/08/2024

Will you be turning left or right?

Left takes you for a climb up the mighty Skiddaw with views for days and right takes you along the lesser travelled old “…. back o’ Skidda” route (and back to the beers a bit quicker than the mountain goats).

Entries open Sept 1st at 10am.

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃

(Photo courtesy of YHA guide).

24/08/2024

Grab your bestie/mate/loved one by the hand and put a blue bib on in 2025.

Nothing says “I Love You” or “We’re utterly mad” more than a ringing a bell on a mountain top.

You can even have a giggle when you slide gracefully down the scree descent.

Team entries are only available on the 50km and will be limited to 15 teams of two.

Entries open Sept 1st 10am.

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃

📸 Andy Milton Photography Jumpy James Photography & Web

Fancy a bell with a view?Skiddaw 50km gives you the same stunning view* as before but without THAT out and back of old. ...
23/08/2024

Fancy a bell with a view?

Skiddaw 50km gives you the same stunning view* as before but without THAT out and back of old.

Running the new loop from Caldbeck takes you up over High Pike and around to Latrigg before the climb up the mighty Skiddaw. Then it’s the fabulous descent** down to Longside Edge and Ullock Pike before making your way back via Fellside to Caldbeck. All told you will bag 5 Wainwrights (yes, 5!!) with approved deviation for an additional 2 should you be feeling frisky.

As with the 20 miler, you’ll traverse the remote, less trodden northern fells, and get breathtaking views* at every turn.

This is going to become a firm favourite in the running calendar and given all the rumblings we’re hearing, it’s going to be a sell out!

Entries open Sept 1st at 10am. Who’s joining us?

*clag not included 🤣
** it IS fabulous and not one bit scary. Honest.

❤️⛰️🏃‍♀️🏃

Race Date : August 16th, 2025

📸 Andy Milton Photography

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The Grand Tour of Skiddaw is a 44 mile fully way marked trail ultra race taking in the beautiful scenery of the Northern Lake District. The race starts and finishes at Lime House School, Holm Hill, Dalston, Cumbria, CA5 7BX.

The Grand Tour of Skiddaw 2020 is a qualifying race for Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®, giving 3 points.

The route is almost entirely run on public footpaths and bridleways, taking in a climb up the mighty Skiddaw at the approximate halfway point giving a total of 7136 feet of ascent. The route is fully waymarked plus the written route description, and gpx file are available. The entry fee includes Tracker hire, race t shirt , bespoke medal, free event photographs and all food and drink at the 4 Checkpoints along the route plus a hot meal and free beer at the finish. Camping is available onsite @ £5.00 per night.

All event details and online entry links can be found at www.pureoutdoorsevents.co.uk