On 1st September 2023, Victoria decided to step into the world of ultra-running. In reality, her decision likely came earlier, watching her husband (me) tackle the Lakeland 50. Anyone fortunate enough to have participated in this event knows how captivating and inspiring it can be. Victoria had never run more than 13.1 miles, so when she casually said, “I think I'll run 50 miles,” it perfectly captured the essence of the weekend and how easily you can be drawn into this massive challenge.

Questions start flooding in: Where do you begin? How do you train, fuel, and what gear do you need? But before anything else, you have to secure a spot. The first hurdle is getting into the race, as becoming a Lakeland legend is highly coveted. Due to its immense popularity, the organizers have introduced a ballot system, and with 6,000 entries for just 2,000 spots, the odds aren’t in everyone’s favour.

Fortunately, both Victoria and I (Duane) succeeded in the ballot, so the training began. Having completed it the previous year, I knew where I had gone wrong—I didn’t do enough hill training. The Lakeland 50/100 takes place in the rugged Lake District, and the 50-mile course boasts a daunting 3,100 meters of elevation, which is a challenge to train for in relatively flat Manchester.

Neither of us followed the training plan perfectly, and we didn’t log as many miles as we should have. However, we did manage multiple recce trips on the course, each presenting its own challenges. Unlike race day, where there are checkpoints for refreshments, these practice runs required us to be self-sufficient for long stretches, even foraging for water along the way.

The big day arrived on 27th July 2024. Armed with a plentiful supply of Tailwind and having completed one final kit check, we bid farewell to the Cordingley clan in Coniston. They were off to Ambleside for their traditional tourist Parkrun while we boarded coaches that would take us to the starting line. The weather was unpredictable—typical of the Lakes—and we were drenched by the time we boarded the buses. Sitting soaked for the entire ride wasn’t ideal, and traffic delays meant we were cutting it close to the 11:30 a.m. start, but we made it with just enough time to spare.

The race started in waves to prevent congestion on the narrow paths. Our first mistake was starting with our waterproofs on, as despite the rain, it was warm. We quickly shed the layers, and they stayed packed away for the rest of the race as the rain cleared and the sun made an appearance, turning the day into something spectacular.

Wearing our club colours turned out to be a real blessing. Even miles away from Manchester, I was surprised by how many times I heard people shout, “Go on, SALE!” Hearing those words helped keep us motivated throughout the race.

The course begins in Dalemain, tracing the eastern shoreline of Ullswater toward Howtown. After a quick climb, we faced the biggest ascent, followed by a punishing descent into Haweswater. The descent was brutal, possibly the worst many had ever encountered. Slippery and treacherous, it led to several falls, including mine, much to the playful cheers of those around me. Victoria followed suit shortly after, but her fall was more dramatic. Along the overgrown path beside Haweswater, the thick bracken hid the unstable ground. When Victoria stepped down, the path gave way, sending her sliding down the slope. Luckily, quick reflexes allowed her to grab onto the bracken and save herself from injury.

We reached the Mardale Head checkpoint, refuelled, and then pressed on through several more challenging climbs. Finally, we entered Ambleside, where the Cordingley family and a crowd of supporters were waiting.

The support in this little town is beyond words. Running through Ambleside makes you feel like a superstar, with streets packed with cheering spectators and every pub and bar buzzing with encouragement. After 35 miles, seeing familiar faces gave us the energy we needed for the final 15 miles. "Just 15 miles left," you might think—but I knew that meant another 6 gruelling hours, and this section would be run in complete darkness, with only our head torches and the lights of fellow runners to guide the way.

The night sky was breath-taking, filled with stars shining in all their glory. Victoria led the way for the rest of the race, showing incredible strength, especially on the uphills. We finally arrived in Coniston at 3 a.m., greeted by Jackie Cordingley, Ella, and Mia, our eldest daughters, who had stayed up to see us finish.

We crossed the finish line in 15 hours and 17 minutes—and loved every minute of it.

I have now signed up for the Lakeland 100 next year and Vicky has entered the 50 again.