Luckily, the 2016 event didn't begin two days earlier. End of April snow is not uncommon in the Lakes, however, it's not often that we get such a blanket coating down to almost 100m above sea level!

Race Director, Shane Ohly, took this video to share the latest conditions whilst out course controlling on Thursday 28th April:

However, apart from a bitterly cold start and severe frost overnight, competitors awoke to largely clear skies and sunshine on the first morning. Go early, risk conditions being too slippy underfoot? Go late, risk slushy and awkward trails?

DAY 1 COURSE DISTANCES

• Elite - 56km / 2800m

• A - 40km / 2600m

• B - 33km / 1900m

• C - 22km / 1300m

By the afternoon, the warm spring sunshine was spoiling us at our overnight camp, with many competitors chilling outside their tents with a beer, barista-served coffee, and even having a sports massage! All competitors were accounted for (with generally beaming smiles) by the course cut-off time of 8pm.

See all the photos from day 1 in our Facebook album below - do tag anyone you know!