Cartmel Cracker Next Spring

11 NOV2010

The 2011 Lakeland Trails Spring Series will open with a new race at Cartmel Racecourse in the Lake District. The Cartmel 18K challenge and trail races on April 2 2011 are proving a sweet temptation to off road running enthusiasts from all over the UK. The event is approaching half capacity after just three weeks of online entries being accepted, so runners better act fast to secure their place!

Competitiors will tackle the 'Beauty and Beast' course, taking in 18km of some of the most scenic and varied countryside that the Lake District has to offer. On the day, there will also be a 10K Sticky Toffee Trail run as well as children's fun trails, coming together to create a fantastic family day out. The courses all offer beautiful views over Morcambe Bay and the surrounding hills.

The main Cartmel challenge race is generally fast and runnable, along rolling escarpment, ancient oak woodland and around the Bigland Tarns. However, runners will also need to tackle short muddy sections, where they could literally end up knee-deep in mud. The final water jump through a small river will clean off most of the muck, before a grandstand finish on Cartmel Racecourse.

The 10K Sticky Toffee Trail Run will start at 11 o'clock, giving participants a sneaky peak of the bigger race. The Cartmel Challenge will start later in the day at 1 o'clock and finally, for the serious guys and girls with a big appetite for adventure, the 18K Cartmel Trail Race starts at 2 o'clock.

Last year's event saw nearly 800 line up for the start line, and the event raised thousands of pounds for charity, and feedback from runners was incredibly positive.

Organisers are expecting the event to grow in 2011, and are urging people to get their entry in soon, to guarantee their place in the event. There are discounted early bird entries available via the Lakeland Trails website.