Wansfell Mountain Race 2019

The Wansfell Mountain Race is ordinarily run on the last Saturday in September, combing with the Festival of the Fell's in Ambleside.

Unfortunately Ambleside have not continued this festival, but we still thought there was a reason to keep the Wansfell Mountain Race in the calendar, if only because its a really great route.

This race is a true mix of real fell terrain, but fully marked, making it accessible to all. Lots of trail runners are put off by the fell scene, where they feel they cannot join in or are not welcome due to the fact they can't navigate. Its one of the main reason's we delivery this race, to allow accessibility for all to enjoy a hard and fast race on fell and mountain terrain.

Its often been a small field and this year was no different. Maybe the thought of hard running and the hours of darkness put the odd person off, however we love the fact that around 40+ hard runners, be it from road, trail or the fell circles arrive to register and beast themselves around our little 10k over the double summits of Wansfell, taking in a mighty 600m of ascent during the course of the race, this year in the on-coming hours of darkness.

Local runners, Alex Stainforth and Mark Harris from Kendal dominated the mens top 2, with a sly little appearance by the Yorkshire interloper, Andy Mouncey taking the 3rd place for the male trio.

Alex made good time around the course, but was not challenging the record held by James Appleton set last year (58:02), quoting "I wasn't going to push it through Jenkin's Wood tonight, it was pretty lethal in there!" with a wry smile on his face. Mark Harris cruised in, in second place.

In the ladies race, local Helm Hill runner, Cath Aubrey, dominated the winning spot on the podium in a fast, but cautious time of 1:26:59

Prizes were awarded as runners crossed the line with the 1st places taking home £50, the 2nd taking home £30 and the 3rd place taking £15 respectively.

All runners taking part took away a "liquid medal" made of the awesome Lakeland Cider 4.8% abv, by the guys and gals at Cowmire Hall Cider

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