Welcome to the information about the 2018 Red Rose 50 challenge event. Based on the successful Red Rose 100 held in 2015, East Lancs LDWA would like to welcome walkers & runners back to Lancashire for more of our stunning scenery & good old fashioned hospitality, camaraderie & support, also Lancashire hotpot. This will be a great qualifying event for the LDWA 100.The start will be from the scenic Jumbles Sailing Club, Turton, Bolton, with excellent facilities, showers, large changing rooms & bar available.

The route from the Sailing club goes past Turton Tower over Chetham Hill moor then up to Winter Hill for panoramic views of Lancashire. Look out for Blackpool Tower in the distance on a clear day. Visit Rivington Pike then down through the terraced gardens of Lord Leverhulme to the village of Rivington. Now follow Angelzarke reservoir to the quaint villages of Brinscall, Hoghton, Mellor Brook & Feniscliffe, then up to Darwen Tower & across the moors to Entwistle Reservoir. From here go past the infamous Strawbury Duck pub. We have acted on feedback from the 2017 event to revise the route avoiding the night-time crossing of Wet Moss. You will see an ancient cross at Affetside before returning to the sailing club.

There will be eight checkpoints along the way, with hot drinks & food (our events are renowned for their checkpoint food), mainly in village halls. Entries limited to 250 for £28, & £35 OTD.

It is still a challenging route but we have made revisions to remove the most arduous section which last year were made even more tough by the weather conditions. East Lancs hope this will be a yearly event, well supported and providing one of the country’s premier 50 mile events.