The GL3D Chronicles
Dive into the archives and see how the event has developed since its inauguration in 1998. Best digested with a brew. We welcome any additions you might have.
The early days
1998
Dockray ⇨ Turner Hall Farm ⇨ Syke Farm (Buttermere) ⇧
The Great Lakeland Trail Race is held for the first time with just seven participants (including organiser Joe Faulkner).
1999
Patterdale ⇨ Coniston ⇨ Loweswater ⇧
The event name evolves to Great Lakeland Challenge
2000
Bampton ⇨ Hesket Newmarket ⇨ Steel End Farm ⇧
The event name finally settles on The Great Lakeland 3Day.
2001
Haweswater ⇨ Great Langdale ⇨ Legburthwaite ⇨ Howtown*
*truncated route on day three due to foot and mouth.
2002
Coniston ⇨ Gatesgarth ⇨ Eskdale ⇧
2003
Caldbeck ⇨ Steel End Farm (x2) ⇧
This event was the first to use the same overnight camp twice, setting a trend for the following four years.
2004
Ravenstonedale ⇨ Yore House, Moorcock Inn (x2) ⇧
The GL3D goes ‘on tour’ for the first time, to the Howgills.
2005
Coniston ⇨ Wasdale (x2) ⇧
2006
Rydal Hall ⇨ Burns Farm (x2) ⇧
After many years of trusted pen & pencil methods, computerised timing is introduced courtesy of Keith Richards.
Do you have a copy of the 2006 results? Please contact us.
2007
Hendre Hall ⇨ Capel Curig (x2) ⇧
The GL3D goes on tour for the second time, and is not organised by Joe Faulkner. Keith and Pauline Richards and Gill and Phil Harris organise the North Wales GL3D!
2008
Bampton ⇨ Turner Hall Farm ⇨ Watendlath ⇧
The longest GL3D takes place – 100 miles – on the back of a growing interest in the UTMB. Bampton -> Turner Hall Farm -> Watendlath -> Bampton.
2009
Thornthwaite ⇨ Bowderdale ⇨ Steel End Farm ⇧
Joe’s last time organising the GL3D. 3x 25 mile days were back on the cards.
Thank you to Garry Perratt in particular for contributing many of the records, photos, and quotes you see above. Garry was the most regular GL3D competitor clocking up approximately nine GL3Ds over a 10-year period.
The ‘Modern era’
2012
Great Langdale ⇨ Eskdale ⇨ Troutbeck ⇧
After a two-year hiatus, Ourea Events takes on the GL3D introducing electronic timing and pre-marked mapping.
2013
Dowthwaite Head ⇨ Seathwaite ⇨ Watendlath ⇧
Two new courses were introduced (A and B) and testing conditions were experienced both on the fells and in the car park; only one person finished the A course(!) and a few tonnes of hay sorted the parking.
New for 2013 was sponsorship from Lowe Alpine, and the provision of a separate large tent for the competitors to hang out in the evenings.
2014
Pooley Bridge ⇨ Fell Foot (Staveley) ⇨ Easedale ⇨ Howtown/⇧
2014 saw participants coming from Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, USA, Hong Kong and even Cornwall. A surprise boat journey up Ullswater kicked off the event. The café class (C course) is introduced.
2015
Ravenglass ⇨ Little Town ⇨ Fell Foot Farm (Little Langdale) ⇧
A Friday night ‘Best of ShAFF’ cinema tent is introduced (and sells out). At the overnight camps, the ‘8pm Lowe Alpine raffle’ is established, also proving an excellent way to facilitate daily announcements. The ‘checkpoint wordcloud’ T-shirt motif is born.
2016
Bassenthwaite ⇨ Easedale ⇨ Loweswater ⇨ Whinlatter/⇧
Extensive snow on day one makes for some spectacular running on the Eastern Fells. Strong winds at the second overnight camp results in the marquee shaking itself to bits overnight, after 4am ratcheting-down efforts avoid it ending up in Loweswater.
Buses (C & B courses) cause logistics headaches, resolved never to be used at the GL3D again.
2017
Coniston ⇨ Great Langdale ⇨ Duddon Valley ⇧
Commercial (pre-erected) marquees are introduced, reflecting the growth in participant numbers (although strong winds completely dismantle the second overnight camp’s marquee just before the first finishers arrive).
Event communications are facilitated by a new satellite internet connection.
SILVA sign-up to sponsor the GL3D for the next three years.
Out with the Elite, A, B, C course structure, and in with the new Café, Wainwright, and Expert courses.
2018
Ennerdale (showground) ⇨ Hassness, Buttermere (x2) ⇧
The first double-up overnight camp since 2007 went down a treat. Outside caterers are invited on site for the first time (pizza oven, burgers etc.) to offer an alternative to participants’ own freeze-dried meals!
The Wainwright course fittingly visits 20 Wainwrights over the three days.
A 20th anniversary event gift is presented to all finishers (a coaster with the graphic as seen below).
2019
Pooley Bridge ⇨ Grisedale (Patterdale) (x2) ⇧
A free drink for all participants from SILVA, a finisher’s mug, and the marquee grows again to host the ever-popular 8pm raffle/quiz of SILVA dry bags and more.
We’re delighted to get some excellent feedback on the courses:
2020
The event is re-arranged for the August bank holiday due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but soon after is postponed until 2021.
2021
Chapel Stile ⇨ Rosthwaite (x2) ⇧
Another free drink for all participants from SILVA, a finisher’s Harvey Maps keyfob, picnic tables and more marquees to host the ever-popular 8pm raffle/quiz. Lots of new participants joining us this year:
2022
Braithwaite ⇨ Buttermere (x2) ⇧
Welcome to Scarpa as our new footwear sponsor, a lovely campsite at the foot of Fleetwith Pike - complete with cozy fire pits, even more tasty cakes on offer - think banana, ginger, carrot and chocolate! Plus, all participants received a handy GL3D tote bag at the finish line.
2023
Coniston ⇨ Langdale (x2) ⇧
SCARPA became our new title sponsor, with Event Partners VOOM and LifeSystems also attending. This year there were even more courses, with 6 courses to choose from including the new Adventure Course! We also introduced talks with some top athletes in the HUB at the overnight camp!