5 Valleys Ultra

Ability level

2 Valleys Trail

The 2 Valleys Trail is open to everyone - runners and walkers alike.

The cut off for completing 22km + 477m ascent is 8 hours.

5 Valleys Ultra

There is no specific entry qualification required, however this route is over challenging terrain and is not suitable for novice participants.

 Depending on pace, participants may be completing part of the event in darkness.

The cut off for completing 55km + ascent is 19 hours.

7 Valleys Ultra

There is no specific entry qualification required, however this route is over challenging terrain and is not suitable for novice participants.

It is highly recommend that you have experience of ultra distance running. Depending on pace, participants may be completing part of the event in darkness. 

The cut off for completing 110km + 3981m ascent is 27 hours.

13 Valleys Ultra

All 13 Valleys participants must self-certify their preparedness by agreeing to a self-declaration statement (you will be asked to confirm this at the point of entry).

The cut off for completing 180km + 7000m total elevation is 46.5 hours.

Mandatory Kit

A list of required kit is readily available.

Timetable

Friday

• 12:00-21:00 | Registration, Event Village and Kit Check Open - Theatre by the Lake in Keswick
• 18:00 | 13 Valleys Ultra starts - Lakeside Car Park
• 18:30 | Event Village Closes

Saturday

• 05:00 | Shuttle Buses depart (7 Valleys Ultra) - Lakeside Car Park
• 05:30 | Event Site Open - Waterhead
• 06:00 | 7 Valleys Ultra Starts - Waterhead
• 06:00 | Registration Opens - Theatre by the Lake
• 07:00 | Shuttle Buses depart (5 Valleys Ultra) - Lakeside Car Park
• 08:00 | 5 Valleys Ultra Starts - Waterhead
• 09:00 | Event Village and Catering Opens - Lakeside Car Park
• 10:00 | 2 Valleys Trail Starts - Keswick
• 10:30 | Registration Closes - Theatre by the Lake
• 11:30 | First Finisher 2 Valleys Trail - Lakeside Car Park
• 14:20 | First Finisher 5 Valleys Ultra - Lakeside Car Park
• 15:00 | First Finisher 13 Valleys Ultra - Lakeside Car Park
• 16:30 | First Finisher 7 Valleys Ultra - Lakeside Car Park
• 17:00 | Event Village Closes - Lakeside Car Park
• 18:00 | Final Finisher 2 Valleys Trail - Lakeside Car Park
• 18:00 | Presentations (tbc) - Lakeside Car Park
• 18:00 | Entertainment Begins - Lakeside Car Park
• 22:00 | Event Bar and Catering Closes - Lakeside Car Park

Sunday

• 02:00 | Final Finisher 5 Valleys Ultra - Lakeside Car Park
• 09:00 | Final Finisher 7 Valleys Ultra - Lakeside Car Park
• 15:00 | Final Finisher 13 Valleys Ultra - Lakeside Car Park
• 16:00 | Event Site Closes - Lakeside Car Park

Event HQ

Theatre By The Lake
Lake Road
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5DJ
UK

Transport options

For the 7 and 5 Valleys Ultras, participants can purchase an event transfer from Keswick to Waterhead at the time of entry for £15. These will be timed to ensure you arrive in Waterhead in plenty of time for the start and details will be communicated in advance of the event.

The 13 Valleys Ultra and 2 Valleys Trail both start and finish in Keswick, so there are a variety of travel and accommodation options. 

Parking

Parking spaces are available to pre-book at local car parks over the weekend of the event. 

Valleys

• Borrowdale & Bassenthwaite
• Thirlmere
• Ullswater
• Haweswater
• Windermere 

Overview

The 5 Valleys is a 56km race which takes on 5 valleys of the 13 Valleys route. Starting at Waterhead, Ambleside and finishing in Keswick, participants will follow a fully way marked route with 3 checkpoints and feed stations to keep fuelled and motivated.

Map

Terrain

The course sticks to established footpaths, however at times may have challenging and technical terrain. The route has been chosen to limit exposure to ridges wherever possible. 

Navigation

This route is not waymarked but runners will be given a road book as well as the GPX file prior to the race.

Cut off

19 hours.

There are additional cut off points along the route to give participants the best chance of completing the event inside the overall time.

Checkpoints

Participants will follow a route with 3 check points and feed stations to keep fuelled and motivated.

Sustainability

• This type of event has undeniable physical and mental health benefits, as well as supporting local economic growth, however these types of activities come at an environmental cost.
• It is the responsibility of the event organisers to be as environmentally sustainable as possible.
• This event works alongside the Lake District National Park to ensure a fantastic, responsible, and sustainable event is delivered, that showcases the communities, businesses and landscape that makes the Lake District so special.
• 5% of each entry fee will be donated to the Lake District Foundation to support the National Park.
• As the event grows in the future, environment and sustainable procedures will be shared. 
• The event aims to inspire others to act in a sustainable way, to support the planet, and to focus on their own physical and mental health.
• It is exciting to create a part of history when delivering the first 13 Valleys Ultra, however it is recognised that the event has a role in supporting the environment.
• Further details are available on the event website - simply click 'enter now' to read more.

Included

• Exclusive finisher medal (a slate coaster + a patch medal)
• GPS Tracking (Open Tracking)
• GPX files
• Medical cover
• Drop bag service
• Fully-stocked checkpoints
• Road book containing key navigation notes
• Event village

Entry fees

Loved it! Best organised race ever. Feed stations and volunteers were superb. Loved the tshirts and merch too. Jolanda G

2 valleys event is an incredible starter trail running event to introduce people to the sport- but you still feel a part of the whole event. Incredible. Atmosphere was amazing. I loved it. Highly recommended. Heather M

Well organised and they made difficult decisions to keep us safe. I felt very looked after and the aid stations were great. Rebel G

This was the best run I've done! Great location, great area for the run. Great place and friendly people who gave encouragement while on the road parts at the start and finish. Can't fault it, already signed up for the 5 Valleys next year. Neal M

Best event I've taken part in so far. Definitely returning next year with friends. Steve S

My first trail half and the best run I’ve ever done! So much fun and an amazing route with great views, a tough run but very much a team spirit event rather than a race for those in the middle / near the back which was great. I’m signing up for the 5 valleys for next year which will be my first ultra and I’m already excited! Jordan K

The race itself was beautiful. The organisation was excellent and information given out spot on. All the marshals and in fact everyone involved in making it happen were very friendly and helpful. Being able to pay for a bus from the finish to the start was great. Highly recommend this event! Joanna B

A must do race! For anyone who wants to seriously challenge themselves. Peter N

The 7 valleys was a truly unforgettable event, the scenery was incredible, the route was challenging and the volunteers at the checkpoints were super friendly. Considering this was the first year for the event it was really well set up. James H

Great race - spectacular surroundings - everyone was very friendly - well organised! Luke B

5 Valleys was an epic adventure. Thoughtfully planned and excellently executed. Big thank you to all involved. James P

Absolutely brilliant event. Well organised before and during. Majority of the food on offer was vegan friendly and they had sustainability as a theme throughout. It was a great course too. The volunteers were amazing and made it a great atmosphere. Definitely one of the best events I've attended. Neil 

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck