Langdale Half Marathon 2020 - Report

The Langdale Marathon and Half Marathon 2020 was a success despite Covid restrictions and bad weather. Andy Shelton ran for Team Voom...

Beau Smith
By Beau Smith

30/10/20

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Andy Shelton (Team Accelerate Running)

 

I was invited by Voom Nutrition to represent #TeamVoom in the Langdale Half Marathon and was told that running in the Lake District would be a great experience... but not that the weather would be horrific. The race is organised by the Brathay Trust charity who also organise the 10 in 10 marathon challenge and the Ambleside Trail 60km amongst other events. To find the event site in Great Langdale was very straight forward. There was plenty of parking, although it was slightly treacherous due to the weather.

 

It was an extremely well attended event with over 250+ male and female runners for both the half and full marathon races, all ready to take on the course. With all the Covid restrictions in place all the runners were set off at staggered times, not in a mass field of runners, which was slightly strange for this type of races. As a marathon runner who is normally used to running on flat roads, I saw this half marathon as a bit of a challenge. It had something that fills tarmac treaders with dread - HILLS! With several 1 in 3 climbs it certainly wasn’t for the faint hearted. However, what goes up must come down, and there were some swift descents to make up the time (if you are brave enough)! An additional undulating run into the finish along with the tricky conditions, made it all the more exciting.

 

Andy Shelton from Team Acclerate Running beside Blea Tarn in the Langdale Half Marathon 2020 with the Langdale Pikes in the background.

 

The race was organised superbly - the marshals were great and very encouraging although absolutely soaked. The only slightly disappointing aspect to the race was the lack of any substantial crowds due to social distancing measures. None the less, those at the finishing line gave all the runners a rousing reception as they crossed the line. Even with all the social distancing measures in place, this was an absolutely brilliant road race!

 

I have to say a big thank you to VOOM for offering me the place, to both Lucy Niemz and On Running, for their support and providing me with quality top spec kit. Also thanks to Accelerate Running in Sheffield for their constant support, advice and for adding me to Team Accelerate. A massive final thanks for my coach Laura Inglis for giving me the encouragement and specific adaptations to my training that was needed to run a race like this at such short notice.

 

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