Similarly I greatly miss the event - always my favourite of the year. Despite (or because of?) the 2AM start, even the road run down Borrowdale was inspiring. Looking across at sunrise to Great Gable from the Corridor Route leading to Scafell was a magical experience, and even the scramble up the dreadful scree of Lord’s Rake added to the challenge. Following the descent of Broad Stand (or to Foxes Tarn if you prefer) the route climbed up Scafell, and eventually on to the unrelenting climb up High Raise, a long but scenic valley run before the slog up Helvellyn. One of the finest 46 mile events I’ve ever experienced.
Speaking to one of the locals in Keswick recently, it seems the organisers have lost enthusiasm following the lack of support a few years ago. At its peak the event regularly reached the limit of 250 entrants but for several years before its eventual demise nowhere near that number entered. As well as the potential dangers of Lord’s Rake this event is particularly demanding on the checkpointers – sitting on top of High Raise or Helvellyn for many hours requires a great amount of self sacrifice – even near the longest day the weather could be bitterly cold with gale force winds (I was literally airborne on top of Helvellyn!), but generally stinking hot with absolutely no shelter. It’s a great shame to see this event die, but who knows – perhaps nature will step in and dislodge the loose rocks and make the Rake safe once more?