The 2025 Rab Helvellyn Skyrunning Weekend delivered on every front: world-class racing, international rivalry, and an unforgettable atmosphere in the heart of the Lake District.
As the third round of the Skyrunner® UK & Ireland Series, and official host of the Dutch & Belgian Skyrunning Club Championships, this year’s event raised the bar, drawing elite athletes from across Europe to tackle three of the UK’s most demanding mountain races in a single day.
With muggy, overcast conditions and slippery rock underfoot, it wasn’t easy. But that didn’t stop a wave of record-breaking performances, breakout debuts, and tactical masterclasses from playing out across the fells.
Europe Meets the Lakes: The Dutch & Belgian Skyrunning Championships
The Helvellyn Weekend doubled as the official home of the Dutch & Belgian Skyrunning Club Championships, and the international presence was impossible to miss.
From Pinnacle Ridge to High Street, the fells echoed with Dutch and Belgian voices, bringing a fresh sense of camaraderie and competitiveness to the UK skyrunning scene.
“There’s no skyrunning in Belgium, so this was great,” said runner-up Elke Markey. “I only found out I was second when someone shouted on the course, but the third woman was right behind me, so I had to really run!”
For many, this was their first experience of British mountain racing and they rose to the challenge. The visiting clubs didn’t just show up, they showed out, claiming multiple top 10 finishes and age category wins across all three races.
Why Helvellyn Is Made for International Championships
There’s no better showcase for international Skyrunning than the Lake District. From exposed classics like Striding Edge to the hands-on chaos of Pinnacle Ridge, these routes are as dramatic as they are demanding.
For international visitors, the Helvellyn Weekend offered more than just a race. It was an immersion in UK mountain culture, runnable ridgelines, unpredictable weather, and a warm welcome from the skyrunning community.
For VOOM Nutrition, it was a weekend to remember. We’re proud to support athletes tackling some of the toughest races in Europe, and it was inspiring to see so many runner, from local legends to first-timers, racing smart, fuelling right, and giving it everything.
Helvellyn Sky Ultra – 57km / 3,700m+ of Tough Love
The first race of the day was the Rab Helvellyn Sky Ultra, a true test of endurance and resilience. The course leads runners across the dramatic Helvellyn Edges, up to Cofa Pike and Red Screes, then onto the sprawling High Street ridge, a relentless blend of runnable ridges and technical terrain.
Scotsman Rob Sinclair took command early, powering ahead despite battling cramps after Ambleside to break the course record and take the win. “Tough, but good tough,” was how he summed it up. Alex Hamlet, making his skyrunning debut, impressed with a second-place finish, while Rogan Martin secured third and topped the 40–44 age category.
In the women’s race, VOOM athlete Holly Wootton returned to familiar ground and made history, smashing the course record in 7:54:12 to claim her fifth win at this event. She ran a composed race in the humid clag, descending confidently despite slick rock.
Tahnee Daman (Belgium) surged late to steal second from Rachel Seckl, showing strong international form. Another standout performance came from Belgian runner Ann Andries, who won the F50–54 category and placed 7th overall.
Pinnacle Ridge Extreme – 27km / 2,700m+ of Pure Hands-On Adventure
The second race to launch from Patterdale was the Pinnacle Ridge Extreme, a skyrunner’s dream (or nightmare): steep climbs, razor ridgelines, and full-on scrambling sections over the Helvellyn Massif.
Local runner Tom Simpson grabbed a friend’s spot at the last minute—then stormed the course in 3:38:15, setting a new course record in his debut SkyRace. Behind him, familiar foes Ed Brewer and Jeremy Swainson went toe-to-toe once again, taking second and third and keeping their Series title hopes alive.
On the women’s side, Bethan Logan (South Wales) cruised to victory, loving every ridge and scramble. Rosie Watson and Lauren Munro-Bennett, both Lakeland locals, rounded out the podium with strong performances on familiar ground.
The race also saw solid runs from age category winners including Anna Szafranska (F50–54) and Cat Wain-Hobson (F40–44), contributing to the growing reputation of this technical route as one of the most complete tests in UK skyrunning.
St. Sunday Sky Race – 29km / 2,050m+ of Full-Throttle Lakeland Speed
The final race of the day was the St. Sunday Sky Race, a newly certified SkyRace and arguably the most internationally competitive of the weekend.
Kris Jones (Dundee) showed his class early, pulling away on the first climb and never letting up. He crossed the line in 3:06:23, setting yet another course record, and confirming he’s one to watch ahead of the OCC and Trail World Championships.
Seven of the top ten men hailed from Dutch or Belgian clubs, with Lucas Nieuweboer and Stijn de Looijer (Netherlands) taking second and third. Maarten Paulissen (Belgium) topped the 40–44 age group, while Darren Jones (UK) won the M55+ category with a standout 9th overall finish.
In the women’s race, Rab athlete Sara Willhoit was unstoppable, navigating slick descents and low cloud to set a new course record of 3:38:26. Behind her, Elke Markey (Belgium) and Reggie Lenz (Switzerland) battled for second and third in a tightly fought race.
What’s Next in the Series?
With the Helvellyn weekend now in the books, all competitors will collect points toward their standings in the 2025 Skyrunner® UK & Ireland Series as well as their respective SkyUltra® and U23 Series rankings. Updated league tables will be published later this week.
The next stop? The Seven Sisters Skyline in Donegal, Ireland on 20th September, featuring:
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SkyUltra® Series: 55km / 4,000m+
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U23 & Irish Champs: 30km / 2,100m+
Entries are still open, so if Helvellyn fired you up, there's still time to test your limits and fuel your adventure with VOOM.
From Patterdale to the Peaks of Donegal, VOOM is with you every step (and scramble) of the way.
💥 Fuel Smart. Climb Higher. Recover Strong.
📸 Image credits: Joel Jameson, Tanya Raab, Phil Davies
