Saturday 9th of September saw the anticlockwise running of The Lap, and Newport & District Running Club’s Annabel Bolton made the journey up north to take part. A challenging 47-mile route around Lake Windermere taking in some breath-taking views and featuring some challenging terrain on the climb up and down Wansfell Pike and other local hills. 

Annabel with a map of “The Lap”

The race was exceptionally well organised and claims to be the best-waymarked route in the world; clear markers were all around the course and at no point was a map needed to navigate. The feed stations were very well stocked and freshly cooked pizza was provided at the stop around half-way and welcomed by the majority of runners, as was the hose down at the next feed station. 

Annabel’s selfie taken during the race

On a humid day, where fortunately the sun did not burn through the mist until around midday, the course record was broken on the traditionally slower way round (the race runs in a clockwise direction in May). Newport and District Running Club member Annabel Bolton completed the course in 13 horse 28 minutes and 14 seconds, finishing 193rd overall of 630 starters, 45th woman and 7th in her age group.

Annabel’s elevation graph!