The opening recce for 2020 event takes place on Sunday November 10th and covers the ground from Coniston to Buttermere. This section is the first 25 miles of the Montane Lakeland 100 course and it’s a challenging section. The day starts from John Ruskin School and the first call is Seathwaite CP1. From here the route heads to Boot CP2, Wasdale CP3 and finally it’s a long, steep and tough section to Buttermere CP4, including Black Sail Pass and Scarth Gap. The final sections of this recce in particular are steep and rocky with rough descending. In previous years many do the final section in the dark and the last finishers have finished as late as 9pm Sunday night.

All are welcome for this recce day (including 50 runners) but you must be fully prepared and confident of your navigation skills and fitness. You must bring all of the equipment specified on the compulsory kit list, including head torch!

Boot to Buttermere is the toughest section of the whole course and will be done in the dark during the actual event. In previous years we have had final finishers for this recce reaching Buttermere at 9:00pm, it is a long day!

Timetable for Sunday November 10th:

7:00am Arrive at Buttermere and park
7:30am Coach pick up from Buttermere, bottom of Newlands Pass: GO HERE FOR PICK UP LOCATION
9:15am Coach drop off at Coniston John Ruskin School to start run
8:00pm Last anticipated finisher at Buttermere

Cut off times: Seathwaite 2.5 hours from start / Boot 5 hours from start / Wasdale 7.5 hours from start. Those reaching checkpoints after cut off will be returned to Buttermere in the minibus at the end of the event.

2019 Recce Route amendments: There is a minor route amendment on the recce this year. Please CLICK HERE to see/print the updated route card for this recce section. When you first leave the Seathwaite checkpoint the small bridge is out so there is a diversion in place – see point number 1. Please note, you must check in at the Seathwaite Checkpoint before continuing onto Boot.

You should be prepared to navigate and learn the route, the guides will support you. You should bring full kit as per the event requirements and you will need a copy of the road book (which can be downloaded from the site) and a map (either printed from the site or purchased). If you have a GPS you should also bring this, the routes are available from the Lakeland 50&100 website. Please not that there will be no GPS support throughout the weekend and we will not have access to the routes/tracks for you to download.

Food and drink will be provided at Boot and Wasdale Head. The food will be jelly babies and flapjack and the drink will be water.

How do I sign up?

To sign up GO HERE, all recce days cost £15. The cost includes refreshments at checkpoints and coach transport. You will need to find your own accommodation, we suggest Buttermere Youth Hostel or other accommodation in Buttermere/Keswick.