On Friday evening in the main marquee at 8pm, our guest speaker is Allie Bailey, hosted by John Cassidy from the Young Hearts Run Free podcast team.

Allie Bailey is an ultrarunner, coach, speaker and podcaster who has run in some of the most extreme places in the world. She was the first woman to run 100 miles across frozen Lake Khövsgöl in Mongolia and to run the full length of the Panama Canal. She has crossed the inhospitable Namib Desert three times, run the length of the Outer Hebrides Chain and completed a 1000 mile off road version of the classic Lands End to John of Groats route in just 30 days.

Allie has finished over 200 marathons and ultra-marathons all over the world (including Lakeland 100 in 2024), but the most remarkable thing about all of these achievements is that she accomplished most of them while battling depression and alcoholism. Although running ultimately became the vehicle that helped buy Allie the time to recover from a number of severe mental health breakdowns, it did not save her. In fact there were times when it made her battle all the more difficult.

After a seismic mental health crisis in 2021, Allie finally admitted to herself and those around her that she was an alcoholic and started her recovery. She left behind a dream career with major record labels and adventure companies and now works with a broad range of runners and endurance athletes, helping them unlock their full potential as a coach. In addition to this Allie has gone on to compete and podium at a number of high profile, long distance races.

In 2023 she placed 1st at the 200 mile Wild Horse, in 2024 she placed 3rd at the Winter Downs 200 and this summer she placed 1st at the Spine Summer Challenger North. In 2022, she was named as one of the most inspiring female adventurers in the UK by The Guardian, and she has appeared on numerous mainstream TV programmes including The One Show and Lorraine. She lives in Yorkshire with her rescue dog, Pickle.

Montane Basecamp

There’s things going on throughout Friday and the weekend in the Montane Base Camp and sponsors tented area.

For families, there’s crafts and sign making. If someone you know is taking part, then head over and create your own motivational sign to keep them going until the finish line.

2pm Friday, there’s ‘Trail Talks’ hosted by  Hannah Campbell. Her guests include Jackie Stretton returning for her 10th Lakeland 100. Katy Parrott (Montane athlete) taking on the Lakeland 100 and Joe Higgins (Montane ambassador) taking on his first Lakeland 50

3pm ‘Limber Up’ with a guided stretch session. Whether you’re starting the 100 at 6pm, or relaxing for the 50 on Saturday, this is a great way to ease into the challenge.

3:30pm Guided social run with Montane, La Sportiva and Leki Poles. The runs will be short and social. It’s perfect if you need a ‘leg loosener’ prior to the 50 on Saturday, it’s also perfect for family members who have come to support for the weekend. There’ll also be kit trials available.

There’s plenty of other fun and games, so head over to see them in the sponsors tented area, throughout the weekend.