Hello, my name is Louise Dunn and it is my honour to be the Mayor of this wonderful Town. It is also my pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the Town Council, to our community for the 13 Valleys Event this September
For some of you this will be a return visit, to a place that has become familiar and that you have come to love. For others this will be your first time here. Whether you are participating, or you and the family are here as the support team, you are in for a treat!
I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about Keswick. We are situated in the most beautiful place in the world, a community nestled among mountains, around a lake in a protected landscape of a National Park. Because of this amazing location, we are a top tourist destination and the venue for many events all year round.
What can you do whilst you are here? The main thing we would ask all of you during your visit is to enjoy yourselves. Whilst the event itself is important, for the rest of the family, the Town has a lot to offer. I do hope that all of you will use your free time to get out and about explore the town and lake, fells, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Enjoy our wonderful Hope and Fitz parks which are the best family parks I’ve ever seen (and yes, I am biased). Please do book your accommodation via the Towns visitor website and click here, to research much more information on family visitor attractions, activities, restaurants and shopping to ensure you make the most of your visit.
But of course, Keswick is more than just a ‘venue’ for an event or a place to come for a holiday. It is a proud community. We live and work here all year round and advocate for the place and our people. I have a heartfelt request of you during your stay, please do respect the people that live here, by parking considerately in our car parks, please avoid parking close to residents drives and searching narrow lanes trying to find a free space – the money raised from our car park ultimately helps us to maintain our community and provide the infrastructure for our visitors. Do continue to reduce, re-use and recycle as I’m sure you do at home and plan ahead to avoid needing single use plastics while you are here. Use the event bins for your waste or take it back to your accommodation to sort, please try to avoid using the bins in the Park and in the Town where waste cannot be recycled at present.
If you go shopping at Booths and use a card you will have the option to add an extra 25p to your shopping bill as a donation to the Lake District Calvert Trust. The Trust is here to ensure that people with disabilities, and their friends and families can enjoy the wonders of the Lakes and fells the same as everybody else does. The Trusts motto is ‘it what you CAN do that counts’ and we aften see people’s self-perception change whilst they are with us. New arrivals often turn up full of trepidation and leave transformed - celebrating their achievements on the zip wire, wheelchair assault course, climbing wall, at the stables with our horses and boating on the lake. Its life-changing, so, please press the ‘yes’ button. It’s a small thing but we would really appreciate it.
To finish it remains only to say Keswick Town Council hopes you have a brilliant event and that you enjoy every moment you are here with us.
Louise Dunn Mayor of Keswick
Welcome to 13 Valleys Ultra
The English Lake District has long been a magical place, inspiring countless people for hundreds of years. The works of Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth, the guides of Alfred Wainwright and the efforts of the late Joss Naylor are just some of the many celebrations of this unique and breath-taking landscape. With the UNESCO World Heritage Status recognising the unique valleys that make up the National Park, the 13 Valleys Ultra is another celebration of all that The English Lakes have to offer.
Breath-taking in more ways than one, the races - run on the year round 13 Valleys Trail - will give participants a deeper understanding of the area, and themselves, than they previously thought possible.
With every valley telling its own story, and providing a different vista, we want to showcase everything that is great in the region. The event exists to give you the platform to create your own memories, that will in time become stories that can be passed on to generations to come. We are proud to be on this journey and thank you for joining us on the first ever 13 Valleys Ultra.
Every person’s story is different, every challenge unique, and after your 13 Valleys chapter we can’t wait to see what will you become?
Colin Murphy, Race Director
FAST LIGHT NATURAL
event programme
Registration, Event Village and Kit Check Open
13 Valleys Ultra Starts
Event Village Closes
Registration and Kit Check Closes
Shuttle Buses depart (7 Valleys Ultra)
Event Site Open
7 Valleys Ultra Starts
Registration Opens
Shuttle Buses depart (5 Valleys Ultra)
5 Valleys Ultra Starts
Event Village and Catering Opens
2 Valleys Trail Starts
Registration Closes
*First Finisher 2 Valleys Trail
*First Finisher 5 Valleys Ultra
*First Finisher 13 Valleys Ultra
*First Finisher 7 Valleys Ultra
*Final Finisher 2 Valleys Trail
Presentations (tbc)
Entertainment Begins
Event Village Closes
Event Bar and Catering Closes
*Final Finisher 5 Valleys Ultra
Official Merchandise stand opens
*Final Finisher 7 Valleys Ultra
*Final Finisher 13 Valleys Ultra
Event Site Closes
*estimated
Theatre by the Lake Lakeside Car Park
Theatre by the Lake Theatre by the Lake
Lakeside Car Park
Waterhead
Waterhead
Theatre by the Lake
Lakeside Car Park
Waterhead
Lakeside Car Park
Keswick
Theatre by the Lake
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park
Lakeside Car Park 12:00 18:00
Give back with the Lake District Foundation
The Lake District Foundation will be running a shop at the event village selling donated running and outdoor gear. You can help by donating your old or unused item of running / outdoor clothing (outerlayers, insulation layers, mid layers, base layer tops, etc).
Just come to our event village and hand your donations to the Lake District Foundation stand on Friday 27th Sept or Saturday 28th Sept. Please make sure that the garments are in good, clean and functional condition.
If you don’t have anything to donate but are looking for some new running gear then do come by the stand and have a look at what other people are giving, all items will be sold between £2 to £10.
Any unsold items during the weekend will be donated by the Lake District Foundation to local charities so nothing will end up in landfill.
Practical Information Getting to the Event
The main event village is at Lakeside car park in Keswick (What 3 Words /// rails.struggle.rivals) which you can travel to in a number of ways (see below).
For those who need to travel to Waterhead, Ambleside for the start of the 7 Valleys and 5 Valleys events, don’t forget you can book a transfer service from Keswick to get you to Waterhead on the morning of the event for £15. This can be added to your booking by accessing your account on the ‘Let’s Do This’ page.
By Bus
Keswick and Ambleside are well served by local buses. Please look into using public transport as your first option, by visiting https://www.stagecoachbus.com/
By Train
If you are coming from further afield, then pairing mainline train services to Penrith (for Keswick) and Windermere (for Waterhead, Ambleside) with the local bus services will give you the most relaxing and scenic route to the event. Visit https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/ for more information.
By Bike
We would encourage people to cycle to the event where they can, particularly if you’re spectating and can spare the energy! Bike parking will be available at both Keswick and Waterhead, Ambleside.
Practical Information
Getting to the Event
By Car
For those that do wish to travel by car, we would ask you to car share where possible.
Parking
There is limited parking available in Keswick and we would recommend prebooking our dedicated event car parks.
Other options include limited pay and display spaces in the Lakeside Car Park, and at Keswick Rugby Football Club.
Parking spaces are available to pre-book at local car parks over the weekend of the event. There are limited spaces, so we recommend booking early as we expect them to sell out. To book, you can choose parking as an add-on on Let’s Do This when you enter, or you can add it to your existing booking on Let’s Do This.
5% of the parking fees will be donated to the Lake District Foundation to support the National Park.
Available Car Parks
Town Council Car Park - off Crosthwaite Road
Park from 16:00 Friday 27 to 16:00 Sunday 29 September
Price: £30 for the 3 days.
Rawnsley Centre Car Park (Cumberland Pencil Museum)
Park from 05:00 until midnight on Saturday 28 September only
Price: £15 for 1 day
Campervans
For the first time we are offering limited spaces for Campervans to park adjacent to the Event Village, at the Lakeside Car Park in Keswick. This is part of a trial with Cumberland Council, and will include a parking bay (on hard standing), as well as access to drinking water and toilets only. There are no showers available.
Please note the council will be enforcing the no overnight occupancy of vehicles in the rest of the car park over the event weekend.
Campervan Parking - Theatre By The Lake Car Park
Park from 16:00 Friday 27 to 16:00 Sunday 29 September
Price: £50 for 3 days 2 nights
Registration and Minimum Kit List
Registration and Kit Check will be at the Theatre By The Lake, which is next to the main event site in Keswick.
All Ultra distance participants must register and have their kit checked on Friday between 12:00 and 21:00.
Please note: For the 5 Valleys, if you can’t make the Friday, the registration and kit check will also open on Saturday from 6am but you will then need to either drive or get a bus to the start line in Waterhead.
Registration for the 2 Valleys Trail will be available on Friday 12:00 to 21:00 and from 07:00 on Saturday morning.
Please follow the local signage and allow plenty of time.
Registration
Registration will be on the first floor in the Theatre By The Lake. Here you will be able to collect your run number, maps and any route notes (13 Valleys and 7 Valleys only).
The maps given out at registration are emergency maps only, and are not a full copy of the 13 Valleys OS Map.
Please bring your ID with you and have it ready to show the team.
Kit Check
Once you have registered please make your way up to the second floor to have your kit checked. Here you will be asked to show that you have all of the items on the minimum kit list. You can find the kit list here.
In addition to the items listed in the kit list, we strongly advise that you take into account the prevailing weather conditions and dress accordingly.
You will be informed of any additional requirements (from the ‘Cold Weather Kit’ and ‘Hot Weather Kit’ list) by email a week prior to the event.
Once our safety team are satisfied you have the minimum level of kit needed, they will give you your event wristband.
If our safety team deem your kit is insufficient, they will ask you to come back at a later time with the correct items. Any last minute kit can be bought from either the Event Village or in Keswick. Please note that random spot checks at the start line and on route may take place to ensure all runners are carrying the minimum kit at all times.
Tracker Allocation
This year all participants, across all 4 distances will be allocated a GPS tracker. Tracker allocation will be in the Theatre By The Lake and will be signposted on the day. Those in the ultra-distance events, will collect their trackers after Kit Check, whereas 2V participants must collect theirs on the morning of the event. Please allow plenty of time for this.
The Open Tracking team will take your photo and assign it to your tracker, and you will then be able to share your tracking link online, so friends and family can see you progress around the route.
Event Village
Our event village is located in Lakeside car park adjacent to the start and finish in Crow Park.
It will welcome all of our brand sponsors, event village exhibitors, food vendors and a bar!
This is your opportunity to get some great running products at special prices, grab some food and drinks and for your supporters to gather while waiting for you to cross the finish line. We encourage people to bring card and cash.
Petzl - Headlamps | VAGA - Headwear | Lake District Foundation - Charity
Voom – Nutrition | Ordnance Survey - Mapping
Our exhibitors
Leki – Running Poles
Our
FOOD VENDORS
Bar | Yardies Jamaican Street Food |
Joey’s Café
Race Rules and Info
We want you to get around safely – some of you will want to compete to win, others just to succeed. We have a few key rules outlined here to help everyone achieve their goal, whatever it is.
Shortcuts – we recognise that self-navigating is hard, over long distances, with fatigue and sleep deprivation, errors will happen. Anyone deemed to be gaining a significant competitive advantage will have a time penalty added to their result. This will be any time estimated to have been gained + a 15 minute time penalty.
Gates on Route – Please remember whenever you need to open gates on route, always shut them behind you so no sheep can escape!
Littering – will not be tolerated. We ask everyone to write their bib number on any additional food items they take, so we can identify any litter that is found on course. We are privileged to use this landscape and have a responsibility to leave it as we found it.
Accepting Support – different events have different rules, but we will not penalise anyone for taking on additional food from their supporters.
Minimum Kit – must be carried at all times. Anyone who is deemed not to have all of the relevant items either on course or at the finish will be removed from the results.
Medical – There will be a medical presence at all feed stations, but if you come across a runner in need between feed stations, you have a responsibility to stay with them and alert Event Control on the number listed on your bib. If you are in an area with poor signal please continue until such a time that you have signal or are able to report the incident to our Route Safety Team, or Medical Team.
Cut Off Times – Times identified as cut off times are there for your well being. We want to give everyone every chance of succeeding, but anyone who fails to meet a cut off time will not be allowed to continue. We have to focus our medical and safety cover on those participants that are within the allocated timeframe.
Spectator Responsibility – We want to do all we can to help you to get around the event and provide 12 well stocked feed stations and a Drop Bag for 13V and 7V participants to give you every chance for your race. If you have any specific requirements outside of these, we ask you to carry them with you. We do not allow support crews to actively move around the route, giving additional nutrition or kit, or taking it off you. This is to try and ensure the playing field is as level as possible, and the event is sustainable both from an environmental and social standpoint. It is important we respect the environment and communities we run in.
However we do encourage everyone to support at the relevant feedstations, or where public transport allows. Please remember to respect locals and other users of the trails, especially with regard to noise at night.
Runner Commitment
Very simply we want to provide a platform for people to succeed. This may be by completing their first ever trail event, or by running the entire route. Each challenge is unique to the person taking it on. In order to do this we ask runners to -
1. Prepare appropriately for their event. To gain the necessary skills and fitness to allow them to complete their challenge.
2. To value and support each other as they take part in the event. This could be as simple as being courteous or allowing those taking on a longer event priority at a feed station, or it may mean sacrificing a ‘time’ to help another runner in need.
3. To respect the environment and the communities who call the National Park home. Taking home litter, closing gates behind them, passing through sleeping communities without noise, and staying to the trails at all times. The area has a rich history, and we want it to have a strong future, for many more people to enjoy in years to come.
GPX Files and Navigation
Whilst the 2 Valleys Trail and 5 Valleys Ultra will be fully waymarked, the 13 Valleys Ultra and 7 Valleys Ultra will be self-navigated.
Regardless of which event you are taking part in, a big part of the challenge is taking responsibility for your own safety by staying on course.
We will give you some key tools to help but we recommend not solely relying on spotting signs or following the runner in front!
To help navigate you will need -
A GPX file of your route, available to download from our website
A basic map, given out at registration
To follow the way markers (5V and 2V routes only)
The road book, containing key navigation notes, which will be giving out at registration (13V and 7V)
What is a GPX file?
A GPX file is essentially a digital map of your route that will show you exactly where you are and where you need to go.
What do you do with the file?
After downloading the GPX files from the 13 Valleys website you’ll need to load them up onto your smartphone or smartwatch. If using a phone, there are a number of free apps that you can use.
How to use it
Start by downloading the GPX file to your phone, and then open it with your choice of app (Strava, Gaia GPS, ViewRanger, BikeGPX, GPX Viewer). However, if you use the OS Maps app it’s even easier, because you don’t even need to download the GPX files at all - they’re already on the app!
Step 1 - Download the OS Maps app (for free)
Step 2 - Open the ‘Explore the OS Map’ link from our routes page
Step 3 - Click ‘start route’ to see your location and follow your way around the route.
If you are having issues on a Garmin device please refer to the instructions on importing a GPX file on a Phone here.
MAPS
You can buy a bespoke limited edition 13 Valleys Ultra OS Map from the Ordnance Survey website (https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/maps/), which you can use for planning, recces and during the event as well as to keep as a momento. It includes feed station locations and the elevation profile of the 13 Valleys route.
We will be giving out lightweight route maps for each distance at registration which you can use as a backup to your digital navigation. These will be in 1:40000 scale.
WAY MARKERS
Way marking is a controversial subject in the National Park. We have to find the balance between helping people navigate their event safely but at the same time protecting what makes the event so special – the environment and the people and animals that call it home.
We will be installing over 600 way markers that will be used to help those completing the 5 Valleys Ultra and 2 Valleys Trail. These markers are re-usable (so please don’t take one home as a souvenir) and will be placed along the sides of the paths the route follows.
At any junction there will be 3 way markers placed close together on the path the route follows, with more markers at 100m intervals after this. Where a path is established with no other options to take, the gaps may exceed 100m.
ROAD BOOK
13 and 7 Valley Ultra participants will also receive a road book at registration. This book is an abridged guidebook, giving key directions and information however we don’t recommend relying solely on it for your navigation.
Feed Stations
Feed Stations, Check Points, Aid Stations, Rest Stops; whatever you want to call them, we can all agree on one thing - they will be key to making your way around the route.
We have 12 stations at regular intervals around the route, each stocking a range of food and drink to keep you going, and some much-needed encouragement to go with it.
All stations will have separate male and female toilets, a first aid presence as well as female sanitary products.
The locations of the stations can be seen below, along with what is stocked at each one, but please note a few key pieces of information.
Feed Station Levels
There are 3 levels of feed station, standard, enhanced and hot food. Please plan your hydration and nutrition strategy with this in mind.
We work hard to cater for a variety of dietary requirements across the event. Part of this is sharing what will be available to allow participants to plan.
Please note the table on the next page is based on the information provided by manufacturers, individuals can therefore decide for themselves as to the risk of gluten or nuts being in various products.
If you feel your dietary requirements are not being met, please get in touch, and in some instances we may be able to take personal items to feed stations.
Drop Out
We recognise that even the best laid plans can go awry. If you need to drop out of the event we ask you to do it at a feed station where possible, where the staff can advise you on what to do. If you drop out elsewhere please let us know so we aren’t looking for you. We don’t have a dedicated collection service, so we have highlighted which stations are on main public bus routes, but we recommend carrying money for a taxi just in case.
Sleep Options
For those in the 13 and 7 Valleys events there will be the option to sleep at the Grasmere feed station. We will provide a dedicated female space, and a general space for sleeping. Each will have sleeping mats but you will need to provide your own sleeping bag. You will be checked in and out of these rooms, and we can wake you at a certain time, just let us know what you need!
Charging points
Charging points will be available at enhanced stations and above. We will provide USB sockets but please remember to bring any charging cables you may need.
VENUE AMENITIES
Please note that we reserve the right to amend some food options ahead of the event but will communicate this to all runners.
DROP BAGS
13 and 7 Valley participants are welcome to bring a ‘drop bag’ to the event. What is a drop bag? Whatever you want it to be! All we ask is you keep it to a sensible size, and label it up with your baggage tag (provided at registration). Seasoned runners will know exactly what they need mid-race, but for those unsure, we recommend a change of base layer, and clean socks at the very least. You may wish to put in some baby wipes, some of your preferred nutrition and, if you’re planning on sleeping at Grasmere, a sleeping bag!
13 Valleys
There will be a baggage vehicle in the Event Village on Friday evening where you can drop your bag. This will then go to Grasmere for you to access. Your bag will then be given to you when you cross the line in Keswick.
7 Valleys
Please take your drop bag with you to your start line at Waterhead, where you can deposit it in a baggage vehicle. From here it will be taken to the Ambleside feed station for you. Your bag will then be given to you when you cross the line in Keswick.
5 Valleys
Please take your drop bag with you to your start line at Waterhead, where you can deposit it in a baggage vehicle. We will bring it back to Keswick for you, where you will be able to collect it from the Theatre By The Lake
2 Valleys
There will be a secured baggage compound in the Event Village in Keswick. Please note that the compound is open to the elements, so please waterproof your bag just in case.
Spectator Information
Spectators we welcome you, your encouragement and support will be an elixir for runners when they need it most. Please share the love with all of our runners, with names on their numbers, that shout out might be just what they need.
That being said, we have to be respectful of the communities we are moving through. We have highlighted (page 21 & 22) which feed stations are accessible to supporters, and more importantly which are not. Please respect this, certain areas cannot cope with increased vehicular traffic or noise, and spectators not abiding by this will put both their runners result, and future events at risk.
Outside of feed stations, please be mindful of other users and residents of the national park, particularly through the night. Engines revving, doors slamming and cars parked inappropriately are often flagged by local communities, please help us set a good example for other events.
Finally, above all else we want to help people to succeed, and for that reason if people take on additional nutrition from their supporters, they will face no penalty.
Sustainability framework
In 2017 the Lake District was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site; this designation specifically covers the 13 Valleys that make up the Lake District National Park. We’re donating 5% of every entry fee to the Lake District Foundation, the charity working to protect this magnificent part of the planet.
The Lake District Foundation supports the sustainable future of Cumbria and the National Park through low carbon initiatives, fixing the fells, planting hedgerows and much more.
We are trying our best to make this event as sustainable as possible. Here are a few things we are doing:
• Using local staff and suppliers where possible, to reduce travel and support local communities.
• Working with local brands such as inov-8, La Sportiva. Petzl, Wainwright, Coniston Stonecraft etc...
• Ensure all signs used on the event are re-usable, with no single use signs. Wayfinding signs will include a phone number so we can be made aware of any missed and return to collect them.
• Our feed stations will provide veggie and vegan alternatives.
• Limit unwanted race souvenirs, with no race tees and local medals made from local sustainable materials.
If you’re wondering what you can do to help, there are a few things we suggest:
• Consider car sharing – sharing a car with another 3 people reduces your travel emissions by a quarter and can be comparable to public transport.
• Consider using public transport to come to the event, and the event buses to get to the 5 and 7 Valleys start.
• Stay longer – don’t just stay for the event, make a trip out of it. Stay longer, see the sites and combine the event with a holiday, maximizing the benefit of your travel! The Lake District National Park has plenty to offer!
• Write your run number on your race food – this will help create a sense of ownership and remind you of your responsibility when out on the trails.
• When your kit is getting tired, repair and re-use it before looking to replace. If you no longer need it drop it at the Lake District Foundation stand at our event village.
• If you must replace, can you buy second hand? If you are buying new, can you buy something that will suit multi-activities? .
how to follow the race
Follow the runners on the Open Tracking website and app. Each runner will have a tracking device so you can follow them throughout the day(s).
Watch out for tracking links that will be shared the week of the event.
Follow the race live on our social media platforms
