NWFPAC Social Race – Lakeland Trails Keswick 15k

Co-written by Charles, Alex, Josh and Charlotte.

We headed up to the Lakes on Saturday for the Lakeland Trails 15k Derwentwater Challenge, with varying levels of confidence and an impressive collection of pre-race excuses.

The day began with a parkrun warm-up alongside Dave, Tom and Briony, where it quickly

became apparent that nobody was expecting great things.  After parting ways for some well-earned brunch, we reconvened at 12:45pm ahead of the afternoon’s challenge start.

Tom’s illness appeared to be taking its toll, with him napping on the start line before the race had even begun (see image below).  Judging by the general mood, it didn’t look like anyone was planning on going particularly hard today.

The event format certainly kept us on our toes.  The 15k consisted of two separate events with three different start times:

• 1:00pm – Challenge Early Start

• 1:15pm – Challenge Main Event

• 2:00pm – Race

Most of us were in the Challenge Main Event, but the staggered starts made it almost impossible to work out where you actually were in the field.  One minute you’re overtaking people, the next you’re being overtaken.  You just never knew whether it was someone who started 15 minutes earlier…or 45 minutes later.

Add in the unavoidable walking through some of the boggy marshland sections and race strategy quickly went out of the window.  Not that we were always complaining when a walk break was required.

The course itself turned out to be considerably tougher than expected.  By around halfway, most conversations, internal or otherwise, had transitioned from running to one thing only:

“Not far until the pint now…”

For Josh, the highlight of the day was running the entire course with Dave.  Although it did become slightly frustrating when Dave insisted on waiting at the top (or bottom) of every single hill for him.

Cheers Dave.

Meanwhile, with around 2km remaining, Sian spotted Nicola spectating ahead where, unfortunately, the sudden burst of enthusiasm resulted in a spectacular tumble.  She proceeded to slide what looked like half a mile, emerging completely caked in mud.

Perhaps taking the term fell running a little too literally?

Charlotte stopped to make sure she was okay as Sian reported feeling dizzy after the fall.  A kind act which potentially cost Charlotte her sub-two-hour finish, though Charlotte insists she’s completely over it and sees no reason whatsoever to keep bringing it up.

Naturally, Sian recovered just in time to launch (and win) a sprint-finish battle against Charlotte anyway.

Gratitude clearly has its limits.

As for Tom? His illness made a remarkable recovery somewhere within the first mile. Medical experts will no doubt study this phenomenon for years to come. Whatever the cure was, it worked well enough for him to casually claim 1st place in the Challenge Main Start category.

Briony was similarly impressive, finishing as 5th female overall.

A special mention also goes to Steven Henderson, who entered the Race event rather than the Challenge.  Despite starting a full 45 minutes after most of us, he still managed to catch and pass Josh and Dave around mile eight before going on to finish 3rd overall.

The final shout-out of the day goes to local guide David Croat.  Thanks to his excellent local knowledge, he directed us to The Fox Tap for the perfect post-race debrief.

A few well-earned pints were consumed, the race was analysed with increasing levels of exaggeration, and the day was rounded off with a meal together in the evening.

Another fantastic day out in the Lakes.

Great scenery, questionable terrain, excellent company and, most importantly, a quality pub at the finish.