Eccleshill’s Annie Kisluk returned to her favourite destination, the Lake District this bank holiday weekend to take part in this ever popular event. Celebrating their 20th event, the races started and finished at Staveley Recreation Ground, the 5K Kentmere Sport Trail, 10K Kentmere Trail Run, 18K Kentmere Trail Race and 18K Kentmere Trail Challenge courses all follow fully marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, taking in panoramic views of most of the southern Lakeland fells. This year they also added a half marathon(ish) route for those of you wanting to go that bit further. The trails climb out from Staveley above the Kentmere valley, before returning along the valley itself past idyllic tarns and through ancient woodland, climbing Reston Scar before the descent back into Staveley village. Underfoot conditions were quite variable offering ‘a bit of everything’! Short sections of tarmac, grassy footpaths, stony bridleways with some stiles to climb over, all added to the unique nature of these extremely popular races. The NEW half marathon course ventures a little further, over Green Quarter Fell, past the picturesque Skeggles Water before dipping into the dramatic landscape of Longsleddale. Refuel your tanks at the well-stocked feedstation at Kentmere Institute before picking up familiar trails home. Yes, that does mean The Sting in the Trail!
Annie completed the 10k (ish! actually 7.29 miles!) in 1:54:54, well done Annie!
