FAQs

How long has the event been running for?

Since 1998. The then ‘Great Lakeland Trail Race’ had just seven participants, organised by Joe Faulkner until 2009. In 2012, after a two-year hiatus, Ourea Events took on the event and has been careful to apply the same simple ethos of route and challenge over ‘race’ ever since.

Do I need to be an ultra-fit navigational genius to take part?

No! We simply require participants to be able to accept the participant declaration upon entry.

Some basic map reading skills are recommended but the courses are fairly straightforward, sticking to well-defined mountain paths with check points on obvious features like tarns or summits.

Don’t yet feel fully confident using a map and compass?

We provide a recommended route for both the Café Course and Herdwick Course. This will be available as a GPX file that you can download to your device, and will be on display.

It’s the perfect way to build your confidence finding your way on the trails and fells.

In addition to your paper copy of the event map that you will receive at registration, there will also be the option to download Digital Mapping via the Avenza App. This will be exactly the same as the paper map, with all the same features and checkpoints, but it will be accessible on your smart device.

We will also have people on hand ready to answer any questions you may have about the map or navigation. This is a great event to practise your navigation and get more experience. 

If you’re struggling to work out what course is for you, by all means pop a post in the GL3D facebook group where many friendly experienced GL3Ders will be able to offer you their thoughts, or contact us.

Is the route marked?

No. Part of the appeal of the Great Lakeland 3Day™ is being self-sufficient in navigating your way around the Lake District for three days.

The route you choose is up to you - no routes are marked on the map (or on the ground) - we just provide you with a choice of courses each made up of a series of checkpoints for you to join up as you see fit.

Below is an example excerpt from a previous event map and an excerpt of just the Wainwright course guide from that map’s legend. Remember, all four course guides are on your map so that you can take advantage of switching courses.

In the above example, the only checkpoint (red circle) the Wainwright course visited was Helvellyn (224) on day two. (223 was for use on another day and 225 was in use only on the Expert course).

I don’t want to run solo, can I team up with other participants?

Absolutely! This is entirely in the spirit of the event. The friendly nature of the GL3D™ means that many solo participants join into informal groups to share each day on the hill.

How do you keep track of participants?

The event will use digital SPORTident timing. At registration participants will be issued with an SI Card, which must be ‘punched’ into the SI timing boxes at the start, each checkpoint on your chosen course, and at the finish each day. For those unfamiliar with this simple and reliable system, full instructions will be given. The system is an important safety feature of the event and when participants ‘download’ immediately after the finish at the end of each day, we generate a record of who is safely off the hill.

We also issue each participant a GPS tracker - this is not for public viewing but is used by race control to monitor the location of each participant where network coverage (of the participant’s GPS tracker) allows.

Is it competitive?

Although some participants race, there are no prizes, just the respect of your peers for finishing!

For those who are interested, we will display daily and cumulative results each evening. Full results that can be categorised and filtered by age, course, and split times, will normally be available in real-time each day of the event. To qualify for an overall (not daily) placement, participants must naturally complete the same course each day.

Are there feed stations en route?

Not exactly! You may pass a café or a village en route, but expect (apart from the café course) to be up on the tops much of the day. Please be self-sufficient and carry enough sustenance and emergency rations to keep you going all day.

The ethos of self-sufficiency extends to either carrying enough water, or sourcing it from streams en-route. In the latter case, it is each participant's personal responsibility to boil and/or purify all water they consume; if participants choose not to treat water this is entirely at their own risk.

Do you provide disposable plates/bowls, Mugs & cutlery?

Sorry, to avoid unnecessary waste we would politely ask you to ensure you bring your own plate/bowl, mug, and cutlery as per the kit requirements.

Can I still get hot water from you at the overnight camp(s)?

Yes, when there is capacity (most of the time) we will be delighted to offer you hot water from our boilers (for making your own hot drinks or freeze-dried meals, but not for washing and bathing in - sorry!).

what tent should I bring?

We suggest a lightweight 1–2-person tent - see photo for a good example. If you’re struggling, this kind of question is ideally suited to posting in the GL3D facebook group.

Will there be a potable water supply at the overnight camp?

Yes.

Will the overnight camp location be the same both nights?

Not necessarily. In the early days of the GL3D this happened but wasn’t common. In the modern era of the event the ‘doubling-up’ has been received very well (mainly as it saves taking down and putting a tent back up again!). It all depends upon the chosen area of the Lake District for the year, the flow of the courses, and quality of the overnight camp venue.

Can U18s take part?

The Great Lakeland 3Day™ follows the guidance issued by the Fell Running Association on the participation of U18s in mountain marathon type events. These rules state that:

For paired Mountain Marathon style orienteering events, over one or two days, where one of the two runners is under 18, the other runner must be over 20 and must also be the parent or guardian of the junior runner. The minimum age for the junior runner is 14, and the following straight line distance limits must apply for each day of the event:

• Under 16 = 20 km (12.4 miles)

• Under 18 = 25km (15.5 miles)

As the Great Lakeland 3Day™ is a 3-day event and the minimum optimum distance (i.e. the planner’s route) on the Café course will exceed 20km, we do NOT allow those aged 16 and under to participate. Participants aged 17 may participate in the Café, Herdwick, or Adventure courses so long as they are accompanied by a parent/guardian aged 21 years or more and that the parent/guardian signs a parental consent form.

What amenities will there be at the overnight camps?

We think these are what you’re referring to? Unless they’re tardises?

Sorry, no showers or posh campsite toilet blocks. There might be a river or lake nearby though…

Can I bring my dog?

A few - very well behaved - dogs have completed the GL3D™ over the years!

Dogs must be attached to the participant on a lead or harness at all times, both on the courses and at the Event Centre and Overnight Camps. Please be aware that this is entirely at your own risk and you should ensure that your dog is capable of completely the course.

There will be no specific dog facilities available at the overnight camp. We are happy for you to bring along a small bag with supplies for your dog - max. 5kg.

See the event rules for more information.

What happens if I'm running late?

Printed on the map is an emergency telephone number that participants can use (SMS best) if they are running late and are likely to miss the specified course closure time. We would encourage you to use this number sooner rather than later, before you run out of network coverage (e.g. when descending into some valleys).

I don’t want to carry on! What shall i do?

In the unfortunate circumstances that a participant must retire, it is essential that they notify us if they have been unable to reach the overnight camp/finish. We would recommend that participants have sufficient money to enable them to get a taxi back to the overnight camp and/or Event Centre if necessary. We may be able to provide bus times and taxi numbers, but cannot transport retired participants.