Great Lakes Run 18th June

Low cloud and heavy rain probably put off a few runners from this 13m 7000ft tough route. A total of 85 starters climbed up The Band into the cloud not to emerge again for some time. The wet conditions made the rock underfoot very slippery and the cloud sent many runners off on unintended detours. After the stiff climb to Bowfell the route takes in Esk Pike, Great End, Scafell Pike and Scafell via a steep scramble avoiding Foxes Tarn. From Scafell it is along the ridge to Slight Side and then steeply down to The Great Moss. A flog across the wilderness leads to an energy sapping climb over the shoulder of Little Stand and on to Pike O'Blisco from which a very steep descent with many possible lines takes you to the Start/Finish at Stool End farm.

In the absence of Simon Booth who is the record holder and winner of every previous race the winner was Mark Palmer of Mynydr Du on the back of a 14hr Bob Graham which didn't seem to have done him any harm. Still outside Simon's record of 2:37:41 though. The first lady was Robyn Anderson of Preston Harriers in 4:15:37

1. 2:48:52 Mark Palmer - Mynydr Du
2. 2:56:53 Simon Harding - Macclesfield Harriers
3. 2:57:06 John Helme - Ambleside AC
4. 3:08:17 Paul Cornforth - Borrowdale

12. 3:28:11 Andrew Slattery - Keswick AC
29. 4:08:30 Andrew Murray - Keswick AC
48. 4:35:31 Colin Valentine - Keswick AC

Full results on Ambleside AC website. The race is rumoured to be an English Championship counter for 2012. Could be interesting if the weather is the same next year.