Entries for the 2008 LDMT are now open. See www.ldmta.org.uk for online entry details and postal entry form.
Maybe not quite as much pressure to race, as much as just to enjoy a run on the fells. Recommended reading is the short book -'Fifty Years Running. A history of the Mountain Trial', a few copies in Rathbones.
The inaugural race was in 1952, from the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale, and took in Bowfell, Esk Pike, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Esk Hause and Rosset Gill, won by Roland Moore(Leyland Motors) in 3hours 42minutes and 39seconds. A barrel of cider as prize for the winner was shared and appreceated, with the remainder taken home aboard the winners motorbike!
A glance at the fastest times for trials over the years reveals some familiar names, J. Naylor. W Bland, D.G.Overton, C.Valentine, but never a Keswick AC winner -Maybe this year.
P.S. -if anyone has any inside infomation on the venue this year, let me know if you could use a free pair of walshes, or notes in an an unmarked brown envelope.
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Just found this -Harry Griffin's Country Diary for The Guardian, Monday, 23 September, 2002...
Country Diary
The Lake District
Monday September 23, 2002
Geographically, I suppose, Kendal is still "the Gateway to the Lakes" - or one of them - but, nowadays, the gate is barely ajar. As an example, it took me an hour last Sunday to drive from Kendal to Ambleside - usually a 20-minute run. The first problem, caused by a crazy, uncoordinated traffic system, was getting out of Kendal, the second, driving along the A591, now bedevilled with roadside works.
I was on my way to the 50th Lake District mountain trial - an annual event that is, surely, the most demanding fixture in the athletics calendar - far tougher than any marathon. Some competitors train for it the week before by running up and down Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, but this is not nearly hard enough.
Briefly, the mountain trial involves running along a secret course, up, down and across the highest mountains in the district, working out your own route along rough, untracked ground for up to 20 miles - no matter what the weather. Last week's jubilee trial was staged in and around the beautiful dale of Buttermere in excellent weather - after a morning of low cloud on the fells. Previous trials based on Buttermere in 1978 and 1994 had appalling conditions of driving rain, high winds and thick cloud but no trial has ever been cancelled. In 1962 when the trial started from a cold, drenched Glenridding hidden in mist, only one man, wisely covered in a plastic sheet, finished out of scores of shivering competitors. These mountain men - the oldest last week was 74 - are a breed apart. And women, every bit as tough as the men, take part too. The fitness of all these super athletes leaves one speechless with admiration.
My appologies, further research reveals someone called Billy Bland running for Keswick AC winning a couple of times (1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, and 1991) as well as M. Fanning (1988), and M. Hudson (1981 and 1983).
As well as J. Cory-Wright winning the ladies in 1994, L. Cowel in 2003 and an A. Brand-Barker winning in 1996, 1997, and 2006).
I see that Ambleside AC actually include the Mountain Trial in their fell club championship. Would be an interesting way to spice up a club championship if you were looking for a long distance race...
Their website shows a shorter 1hr Ambleside AC orienteering score-type event, also part of their club champs too.
I'm sure a few members look forward to picking up points in those events. And everyone else has to improve their map skills. Good idea.
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