Langdale Horseshoe.

[slogger]

Link to some photos taken at descent to road crossing CP near the finish. Didn't get everyone as I was only there for 30mins and one of my lenses wouldn't focus correctly. , it's going back!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28970582@N02/sets/

[Tussockface]

Great race, I can see why it's regarded as a 'classic'. Just on the organisational front, I was worried that I'd have to park in a mudbath I'd never escape from, but the parking at the campsite and the facilities there were brilliant. Registration was sensationally fast and efficient, and for a 'big' race it worked really well with a minimum of fuss. Thanks to all officials and marshals. You also did a fantastic job with the weather.

I liked...
the kind Fell Ponies at Three Tarns;
the taste of fresh water on the climb to the Crinkles;
the sprint finish with someone from Bowland.
I didn't like...
the rocky traverse under Esk Pike;
getting my leg stuck in a hole on the ascent of Bowfell;
descending Bowfell on the scree-path.

[Tussockface]

Anyone got Garmin stats on Langdale? The race profile might suggest that the official figure of 4000ft ascent is a bit low?

Oh, and I also liked the sloshy romp down to Stake Pass, and the decision to miss out the Bad Step...

[Purpleplodder]

Suunto vector said 5200ft

But then I didn't go via the textbook route.
Ask the mugs that followed me!

[Fnstein]

Anyone got Garmin stats on Langdale? The race profile might suggest that the official figure of 4000ft ascent is a bit low?

Oh, and I also liked the sloshy romp down to Stake Pass, and the decision to miss out the Bad Step...

Google maps works it out as 5000ft and 12 miles. Sloshy romp bit was good i thought one of the best bits was the Bad Step

[Marvin]

Tracklogs and Anquet (Harvey's map) said 12.6miles/5000ft and 12.4miles/5300ft respectively for me.

[Tussockface]

Google maps works it out as 5000ft and 12 miles. Sloshy romp bit was good i thought one of the best bits was the Bad Step

Maybe I'll risk it next time...
Thanks for the stats.
Don't you find that miles in Lakeland are a totally different unit of measurement from miles anywhere else?!

[Phil Winskill]

Suunto vector said 5200ft

But then I didn't go via the textbook route.
Ask the mugs that followed me!

I can vouch for him on that, I was one of the fools he lead off on a jolly. I thought you were following Phil Clarke, but you weren't. It's the last time I trust the knowledge of a purple vest.

[eLBee!]

First ever Fell Race for me!
Think I did OK. 2:48
Had a fantastic time of it too :-)

I made it 12.5 miles (on Sport Tracks) and 1495m (4904ft) on Suunto X-Lander

Had a nice little 12 mile potter today too (5400ft)

[Joe]

Lack of any real training meant I could only jog slowly round the second half, but it was a good day out. Sore now though!

First time for me doing the Langdale Horseshoe today and tackling the "big bad step" .
I don't know how walkers with all their kit manage it? The last bit of the step I found particularly tricky.

It's trivial if you go the right way and have done it before. Hands over the top, lower yourself down onto a ledge and step down :-)
The two people in front of me went down in the wrong place and would have had difficulty getting down.