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).

Joe manning the Scafell checkpoint ©Ron Turnbull

The inaugural event T-shirt ©Garry Perratt

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.

Every so often I like to ease back for some low-pressure time in the hills and the GL3Day really hits the mark. Cerebral fell running at its best.
— Garry Perratt

GL3D 2001 / Day 2. Paul, Garry Perratt, and Bryan on Green Gable. Photo: Garry Perratt

2002

Coniston ⇨ Gatesgarth ⇨ Eskdale ⇧

Heading to Eskdale ©Garry Perratt

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.

The wet and wild one – more rain than all the other six put together.
— Joe Faulkner
 

2004

Ravenstonedale ⇨ Yore House, Moorcock Inn (x2) ⇧

The GL3D goes ‘on tour’ for the first time, to the Howgills.

2005

Coniston ⇨ Wasdale (x2) ⇧

First checkpoint is at the top where the wind is arctic, giving an instant headache when it hits a bare forehead, just like eating ice cream too quickly.
— Garry Perratt

2006

Rydal Hall ⇨ Burns Farm (x2) ⇧

Skiddaw Summit Day 2 in 2006. Marshals Sandra Ducker, Geraldine Creaven (sitting at the back) and Chris Coy (sitting foreground) and Competitor in the blue LAMM t-shirt. Photo: Shane Ohly

Skiddaw Summit Day 2 in 2006. Marshals Sandra Ducker, Geraldine Creaven (sitting at the back) and Chris Coy (sitting foreground) and Competitor in the blue LAMM t-shirt. Photo: Shane Ohly

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!

2007 Day 1 – Carmen Elphick heading towards to Carnedd Dafydd. Photo: Simon Caldwell

2007 Day 1 – Carmen Elphick heading towards to Carnedd Dafydd. Photo: Simon Caldwell

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.

2008 Day 2. The second campsite, near Watendlath. Photo: Simon Caldwell

2008 Day 2. The second campsite, near Watendlath. Photo: Simon Caldwell

2009

Thornthwaite ⇨ Bowderdale ⇨ Steel End Farm ⇧

Joe’s last time organising the GL3D. 3x 25 mile days were back on the cards.

2009. Typical of the GL3D, A perfect camping spot, away from the crowds and with beautiful mountain scenery. Photo: Simon Caldwell

 

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.

The morning of day one in Langdale. From left to right: Martyn Fairlamb, Shane Ohly, and Charlie Sproson with his dogs Scratch and Pepa. It was an early start for Charlie who had to put out the first control on Pike of Blisco before the first competitors got there. Photo: Stuart Bellamy

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.

Race Director, Shane Ohly, presents limited edition prints from Heather Dawe to Stewart Bellamy and Catherine Holloway, the fastest male and female on the 2013 GL3D™ Elite course.

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.

Volunteer marshals Beverley Notton and Alex Kemp lead the procession of 200 competitors through Pooley Bridge to board an Ullswater Steamer for a memorable boat journey up Ullswater to Howtown Quay.

The Ullswater Steamer ‘Raven’, which was our early morning transport. The surprise boat trip went down well. © Ian Corless

 

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.

The event convoy negotiates the narrow pack-horse bridge at Little Town ©Tom Hecht

The ‘checkpoint wordcloud’ T-shirt ©iancorless.com

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.

Snowy day one ©iancorless.com

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.

2017 heralded the introduction of a larger participants’ marquee ©Steve Ashworth

The satellite dish ©Tom Hecht

 

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).

The most picturesque GL3D overnight camp, ever? ©Steve Ashworth

Freshly cooked pizza is popular! ©Steve Ashworth

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for the weekend. It was absolute running perfection – I may have to retire, running will never be that good again!
— Christine

This loosely-plotted graphic represents the start location of the GL3D every year since 1998.

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:

My first three day race experience & of the beautiful lakes too! You guys created such a brilliant and inclusive event thank you so much! I loved every bit of it, and cherish the mug. That was one happy cuppa at the finish
— Tracey

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:

We had such a lovely time. Thank you so much - incredible event, so well organised, friendly helpers and runners too. I’d been very nervous beforehand as a first timer but really, it was just fab. Thank you. X
— Emma W
The mini-festival overnight camp ©Steve Ashworth

The mini-festival overnight camp ©Steve Ashworth

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.

First ever attempt at this sort of event. It lived up to all my expectations (including the effort required). Found the whole experience amazing. Organisation was excellent as were the staff and volunteers
— Gary G

New for 2022! Cozy fire pits at the overnight camp © Steve Ashworth

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!

A truly beautiful weekend with the most inspirational humans, runners and marshals. This shall always be a weekend I treasure. And I get to brush up my nav with good pals!
— Jenni R

Spirits were high at the Langdale camp ©Steve Ashworth

 

Previous event maps

2019.jpeg

2012-present

Get a flavour of what to expect from the GL3D and see how the courses have evolved over the years.

The 20th Anniversary Event

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Click/tap to load full-size version