Lake District Ultra Challenge
Sat 7 - Sun 8 Jun 2025 Kendal, Cumbria, UK Fundraising required

Lake District Ultra Challenge

Take on England’s finest countryside for charity, at your own pace, with stunning views en-route. With distances from 10km right up to 100km there’s a Lake District Challenge for everyone!

Get charity place
  • Sat 7 - Sun 8 Jun 2025
  • Fundraising required
Kendal Basecamp, Kendal

Lake District Ultra Challenge

07:00

Age 14 & over

Sign up £10-£50

Fundraise £100

  • 1 day trail running

Overview

If you're keen to take on a proper challenge, shape up, re-energise and support an important cause, this ultra will help you go further than ever before - whether you walk, jog or run your way to the finish line.

You'll be supported all the way from the moment you sign up with an event app, online guides, forums and training walks. On the challenge there are safe venues, camping options, fully signed routes, chip timing, marquee rest stops, fantastic food and drink and expert safety, medical and welfare teams to get you over the finish line where you'll receive a huge cheer, medal, glass of fizz, t-shirt, massage, BBQ and more!

Challenge options

  • Full continuous 100km (Sat)

    100km, at your pace, through the day and night if you’re walking.

  • Full two-day daylight 100km (Sat and Sun)

    100km over 2 days, with optional YMCA accommodation or camping packages at half way by Lake Windermere – and rest!

  • 1st half challenge 50km (Sat)

    A scenic and tough ‘half’ Challenge – the best of the Lakes.

  • 2nd half challenge 50km (Sat or Sun)

    A tough 2nd half covering unique Lake District scenery. 

  • 1st quarter challenge 29km (Sat)

    Kendal to Ambleside.

  • Lakes Marathon (Sat)

    New for this year. The first 1/4 route + and a 13km extension around the Ambleside area – with fabulous views.

  • The Ambleside 10km (Sat)

    Walk through the heart of London as darkness falls.

Event video

  • Event village
  • Newcomers

Solo or with others

Taking on an ultra trek or run is a serious challenge and tough for most people, but also achievable with the right training plan which you'll get access to when you sign up. This challenge is fully supported meaning it's the perfect way to have-a-go at a longer distance.

Charity challenge

Fundraising for a cause close to your heart is part of the challenge and you'll receive a wealth of support, advice and tips from your chosen charity to make sure you smash your fundraising target.

  • Accommodation
  • Bag storage
  • Bag transfer
  • Bar
  • BBQ
  • Cafe
  • Camping
  • Changing facilities
  • Entertainment
  • Free parking
  • Music
  • Rural
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Kendal Basecamp
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9
UK

  • Check points
  • Distance markers
  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Hilly
  • Marshals
  • Return transport
  • Sleeping facilities
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Undulating
  • Water stations
  • Way markers

Overview

Take on England’s finest countryside at your pace. The Challenge basecamp is in Kendal, and then it’s a 100km anticlockwise loop taking in a couple of tough hills, the Garburn Pass, historic Ambleside, a half way point by Lake Windermere, forests and nature reserves – with some stunning views en-route, before a huge welcome and celebration back at basecamp after a momentous journey.

You’ll get full support and hospitality, optional camping / hostel accommodation, and with half, a new marathon, quarter and 10K distance options also, there’s a Lake District Challenge for everyone!

Map

map

  • Chip timing
  • Event app
  • Goody bag
  • GPS tracking
  • Map
  • Massage
  • Medal
  • Pre-event training sessions
  • Training plan
  • T-shirt

With weekend camping options at basecamp, a bar, BBQ, music and entertainment – there’s going to be a festival feel on this challenge!

Included before

  • Dedicated challenge app to help you prepare
  • Challenge manual and event guides
  • Training walks and runs
  • Kit and equipment lists – discounts and advice
  • Preparation videos and pre-event briefing
  • Online forums – meet fellow challengers

Included on the challenge

  • Rest stops every ~12.5km – covered with seating, toilets & rest areas
  • Free food and drinks – catering to all dietary requirements
  • First aid support – at stops and en route
  • Medics, podiatrists and massage
  • Fully signed route and online maps
  • Chip-timing – keeping track of you
  • Trek Masters – to help guide you
  • Baggage transfer service
  • Emergency support and route pick-ups
  • Shuttles for retirees to take you forward
  • Bookable transfers before and after your challenge
  • Medal, t-shirt and glass of fizz at the finish

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising required
  • Fundraising support

Every year hundreds of challengers get a discounted charity place in this event and fundraise for charity. While this is hugely beneficial to the charity it gives the participant advantages too, from saving tens of pounds on the registration fee to supporting a cause that is close to your heart and much more.

Benefits of taking part for charity

Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and train, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:

  • Fundraising support

    Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous participants.

  • Training support

    Whether this is your first ultra or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elites too, who can provide exclusive tips for your challenge preparation. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and Olympic champions.

  • Branded kit

    When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest for the big day, and often a training top too.

  • Exclusive social groups

    You won't be the only person taking part for that charity, so it's well worth meeting others through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training days, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels high.

Ultra challenges and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you go the distance for?

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Children

Make-A-Wish UK

Creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£40

Fundraise
£375

Health and Medical

Stroke Association

Rebuilding lives after stroke.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials

Sign up
£22.50

Fundraise
£360

Cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

Beating bowel cancer together.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£360

Health and Medical

Parkinson's UK

Find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£360

Social welfare

Alcohol Change UK

Working to end serious alcohol harm in the UK.

  • T-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£360

Animals

Cats Protection

For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£22.50

Fundraise
£360

Mental health

Mind

The mental health charity.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£360

Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support

No one should have to face cancer alone.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£360

  • Age 14 & over
  • Entries open
  • Charity entries open
  • Charity places
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Fundraising required

The registration fee and minimum sponsorship amount will vary depending on charity/distance choosen.

Age

  • 100km - 18 years and over
  • 50km - 16 years and over
  • 25km - 14 years and over
  • 14-17 year olds need to be accompanied by an adult
     

Entry fees

Registration fee

£10.00

Minimum sponsorship

£100.00

Registration fee

£50.00

Minimum sponsorship

£575.00

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