SCARPA Great Lakeland 3Day - Taking a Pause in 2026

I am writing to let you know that the Great Lakeland 3Day® will be taking a pause in 2026.

After many memorable years, we feel the event has reached a natural inflection point. Participant numbers have been gradually declining over the past three editions, even as we’ve worked hard to enrich the overall experience, adding new festival-style elements such as the bar, outdoor cinema, guest speakers, and more. These have been overwhelmingly well received and have helped shape the unique GL3D atmosphere, but they also bring significant extra cost and logistical complexity, particularly when it comes to finding suitable overnight camp locations during lambing season.

As we reflect, it seems the event is at a crossroads. One path leads toward an expanded, more festival-style experience, designed to appeal to a broader community of runners and outdoor enthusiasts. The other looks back to the event’s roots: simpler, more self-sufficient, and connected to the ethos of traditional mountain marathons.

Rather than rush into the next chapter, we’ve chosen to take a step back in 2026 to reflect on what the GL3D should become, and how best to ensure its long-term future. This pause gives us - and perhaps others - the opportunity to reimagine the event with clarity and purpose.

To those of you with deferred entries for 2026, we’ll be in touch shortly to outline your options.

Thank you for being part of the GL3D journey so far. Whether you’ve joined us once or many times, you’ve helped shape the character and community of this very special event. We’re incredibly grateful for your support, and we’ll keep you updated as plans for the future evolve.


We'd also like to take this opportunity to extend thanks to our event sponsors SCARPA, who have been an integral part of the event for many years. We continue to work with SCARPA across our portfolio of other events. 


Here’s to the future of this incredible event!

Shane Ohly and the Ourea Events team

We are taking a pause for 2026 ©Steve Ashworth

What’s next?

As we reach the half year point, it’s still all systems go at Ourea HQ with a busy autumn ahead of us organising our Dragon’s Back Race® and bigger than ever, Salomon Skyline Scotland® event!

There’s still time to join us in Scotland with places remaining for the Steall Marathon, 100km Jacobite race and series of Trail races. Come join us or find out more by visiting the link below.