Swaledale Road Runners

That's Lyth! is a Long-Distance Walkers' Association Challenge Event which took place on Sunday 29th January 2012

Up early and away from home to register in Kendal for an 8 a.m. start to this 24mile/3200' ascent walk/run event. We didn't feel we had an auspicious start the night before, when trying to plot the route from the published grid references with several misprints leading to performing 'dot-to-dot and hope for the best' on the OS map, such was the confusion over the information provided. The printed description of route was very detailed but nevertheless, still proved a task trying to match the words to the map.

On the other hand, registration was swift and well organised at the Scout Hut in Kendal and despite toilet facilities being at a ratio of 1:150 (again, pre-event info indicated there would be plenty in the recommended car park – all closed on the day!). The departure from the hut and out of Kendal was swift too and, unintentionally starting from the back of the pack, we were at least able to forget the map for the moment and follow the crowd for the first few miles.

Taking a steady climb out of the town on a well-used footpath, we ran over mainly frosty grasslands to the first checkpoint at approx 7 miles in the village of Crosthwaite. Descending slightly at this point, underfoot changed from firmly frosted to very muddy, slowing our progress somewhat over the next few miles through forest then open moorland alongside the impressive sight of Whitbarrow Scar. Getting to checkpoint 2 took us along tarmac lanes to 14.25 miles, and again excellent facilities in Witherslack. We left the village at this point thinking how lucky we were with the weather – the forecast indicating sleet and cold for the morning, but so far it had been comfortable for walking/running and none of the weather warnings for high ground had materialised. Possibly the route wasn't high enough, as in the distance we could see the Lakeland mountains clearly whitened with frost and snow.

The route continued along riverside paths and arrow-straight, flat, tarmac roads at some point to 18.25 mile mark and our third checkpoint (a generous LDWA member's garage), leaving via their back garden, we ascended again to Helsington Barrows, this time approaching an old racecourse, closely resembling Richmond's. From here Kendal was back in view and we began our descent, encouragingly described as an 'easy ¾ mile'. It wasn't feeling that easy by the time we'd gone over the footbridge and begun to run along the river Kent, trying to follow the instructions for the final lead in to the finish. However, another confusing description did deliver a pleasant surprise – we had unwittingly arrived back at the Scout Hut and therefore had completed the distance.

Encircling the Lyth Valley, visiting Scout Scar, Cunswick Scar and Whitbarrow Scar en route, the varied terrain would, we're certain, delight and challenge many runners/walkers, and at a mere £6 entry fee for good organisation and facilities at the start/finish and at the three checkpoints, it's well worth investigating – just don't rely on the grid references or on all the route description to find your way as a first timer. Keep the experienced participants within checking distance to keep you right!

Chris Sayer/Andy Broadley