There are 14 checkpoints in total on the 100 course and 6 on the 50 course. Each checkpoint provides you with the opportunity to access food, fluids, toilets, medical cover and sometimes… just an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.

Here’s who’d looking after you at the 2021 event.

Checkpoint 1, Seathwaite Village Hall

Checkpoint 1 is a quick stop for the 100 runners at Seathwaite Village Hall. It’s staffed by Noanie Heffron and her team. Their theme is unicorns and rainbows… why wouldn’t it be?

Checkpoint 2, Corn Mill

For the 100 runners you’ll be facing darkness soon after this checkpoint so this is the perfect place for Petzl and CP manager Martin Bergerud. This year Martin and his team will be feeding, hydrating, supporting and pushing you onwards to Wasdale. Martin is an all round mountain man, runner, cyclist and great guy so you are in safe hands.

Visit: http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor

Checkpoint 3, barn close to Wasdale Inn, Sunderland Strollers

Based in the North East is an immense army known as The Sunderland Strollers. They are regulars at ultra running events throughout the UK, competing or supporting. Many of the members have already taken part in the Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 and they have an elite team ready and waiting for you at Wasdale checkpoint. With Blacksail Pass and Scarth Gap looming, you’ll need ‘lifting’ at the Wasdale CP, the Strollers are the team for the task. Yet again, the theme this year for the Stroller checkpoint is ‘top secret’ and has not been provided to the Lakeland organising team. 

Visit http://www.sunderlandstrollers.co.uk/

Checkpoint 4, Buttermere Village Hall M*A*S*H*

Bev & Kim (don’t need to say any more for the regulars) will once again be managing the checkpoint, known for the milkshakes and hot dogs. Their theme this year is Buttermere M*A*S*H* … In 2019 they themed the checkpoint ‘day of the dead’ …. but it was too ‘close to home’ when they were forcing exhausted, ‘zombie like’ retirees onto the sweeper bus.

Checkpoint 5, HMS Braithwaite, The High Seas

Tony and Giselle are at CP5 and that’s probably as much as we need to say for those who’ve done the event before. They’ve been there every year from the start, feeding, supporting and pushing people onwards and they are the first ‘real food’ stop (mains and pudding!!). Tony and Giselle have been long distance runners and walkers for many years and have racked up more LDWA events that they’ll serve hot meals in July. If anyone complains, you will be made to walk the plank as the pirate team running HMS Braithwaite will not take any abuse from slackers.

Checkpoint 6, Blencathra Centre School of Rock

Trawden AC are the crew in charge of Blencathra, the most Northern Checkpoint on the course. The theme is ‘School of Rock’ and they are ready to drive you onwards… it’s tradition that NOBODY drops out at Blencathra and Trawden AC will keep you moving!

Checkpoint 7, Dockray Hardmoors Team

Checkpoint 7 is found at the end of the old coach road, in a deserted car park, usually in the early hours of the morning and that’s why you’ll be pleased to see them. Jon, Shirley and the Hardmoors team will be manning the checkpoint, Jon is a 500 legend, so he knows how you’re feeling…

Visit: https://www.hardmoors110.org.uk

Checkpoint 8, Dalemain Blues Brothers

The ‘half way stop’ for the 100 course which is in fact not half way at all and it is the start of the 50 mile event. Dalemain is manned by the familiar face of Angela & Richard Bardon and this year they will be shaking their tail feathers…

Checkpoint 9/1, Bobbin Mill Hogmanay

The first CP for the 50 runners and you’ll have barely broken sweat. After a great trail along Ullswater you drop to Howtown for the first stop and then start the first real climb up Fusedale valley. The checkpoint is managed by Rick & Kerry Gilchrist, with their regular team of supporters and this year, it’s Hogmanay…

Checkpoint 10/2, Mardale Head Sparta

Delamere Spartans are a collective of trail runners who shun tarmac in favour of adventure and good times in the great outdoors. The brotherhood of Sparta is a bond that cannot be broken and once more, Lou and Steve will lead them into battle. 

Treacherous Persians cower (NB: not many Persians at Mardale) as the Spartans find glory through their victories. Witness their banner at races, from the friendly Lakes of the North to the burning pit of hell known as the South (their words not ours, for our Southern friends reading this). They are the Delamere Spartans, what’s your occupation?

Visit: http://www.delamerespartans.org.uk/

Checkpoint 11/3, Kentmere Institute, Montane

Kentmere is staffed by our sponsors Montane and rumour has it, the smoothies will return. We need to say no more. 

Visit: www.montane.co.uk

Checkpoint 12/4, Parish Hall, Ambleside Madagascar Circus

Checkpoint 12 is Ambleside Parish Hall and the stop is managed by Walx Helvellyn Ullswater

Reaching Ambleside is a great landmark so you’ll be glad to reach the parish hall and you’ll welcome the relief. Some of you will reach Ambleside before last orders, no stopping in the pub please, it’s not in the spirit of the event… Madagascar Circus awaits you… what else!!?

Visit: https://walx-helvellynullswater.co.uk/

Checkpoint 13/5, Chapel Stile Heaven

Chapel Stile is staffed by Nikki Knappet (De La Napsack), Jill and the rest of the team. Their theme is ‘Heaven’ and we’ve been informed there’ll be angels, fluffy clouds etc… but still a runway with a landing strip. To be honest, I just nod my head now because nothing really surprises me any more. 

Checkpoint 14/6, Tilberthwaite, Jacob’s Ladder

Last but not least, Tilberthwaite checkpoint will be managed by our regulars Janet, Lisa and Dave. If you’ve not taken part before, Jacob’s Ladder is named after little Jacob Willet who was an official starter for the Lakleand 100 and then sadly lost his battle with cancer. Bring £1 and before you climb the set of steps from Tilberthwaite to Coniston, drop it in the bucket. We’ll match whatever is donated and it will go to children’s cancer research.