29. May 2026

Lap of Windermere Race Review – 9th May 2026

There are two types of people in this world:
1. People who think running 47-ish miles around a lake sounds like a lovely Saturday out
2. Everyone else with common sense

On the 9th May 2026, I proudly confirmed I belong firmly in category one.

The Lap of Windermere had been circled on the calendar for a year—a scenic ultra around England’s largest lake, featuring stunning views, rolling trails, questionable life choices, and approximately 14,000 moments where I asked myself, “Why didn’t I just book a spa weekend instead?” The Lap sells out in just over half an hour of opening at 8pm the day after the race, and after taking part, I understand why.

The event starts on the Friday evening before, registration and kit check. There is a fairly short mandatory kit list, the basics to keep you safe if you end up stranded on a bad day, and liable to get cold quickly out on the hills. This said the nerves are still present, assuming you have missed something that will end your race before it even starts! It was an unnecessary worry, the staff are great, the queues reduced quickly, and I was soon on my way back to my hotel, ready to race the next day.

The morning started in that classic ultra-running fashion: standing in a car park at an ungodly hour, holding overpriced coffee, pretending I felt calm while secretly wondering if I’d packed enough gels to survive both the race and the emotional damage. More worried that I'd had only three and a half hours broken sleep in a crappy Premiere Inn the night before. What could possibly go wrong?

The weather was actually looking okay, a slight shower, followed by the promise of sunny skies, or at least some sun, which felt suspicious. No biblical rain. No sideways hail. No dramatic weather warnings from locals named Geoff. Just cool air, decent trail conditions, and enough optimism to make poor decisions.

The first 25k section felt amazing. Too amazing. I was floating. Gliding. Basically Kilian Jornet if Kilian had tighter calves and stopped every 30 minutes to suck down an SIS Beta gel.

I kept telling myself: Don’t go too hard. Respect the distance. Run your own race. Did I listen? Nope! I did manage to stick to my plan of walking the hills, running the flats, but ended up bouncing downhill like Bambi on crack!

Naturally, I ignored all of that within the first 10km because someone overtook me and apparently my ego is sponsored by Red Bull.

The early miles around the lake were beautiful—woodland trails, lakeside paths, sheep (so many sheep) judging me silently from hillsides. Every now and then I’d catch a view so good it almost distracted me from the fact my legs had started drafting their resignation letter.

By halfway, the race became less “running event” and more “mobile buffet with occasional suffering.”

I’d been wearing Altra Lonepeak 9 trail shoes until this point, time for a change. My Hoka Mafate X shoes provided much needed comfort, although not as confident on the downhills, but I’d take anything at that point to give my feet a little treat. The joys of working with a shop like MyRaceKit is that you get to try the best equipment and shoes out there, unfortunately it does come with the issue that I always over pack and you’d think I was on my way to a 7 day stage race.

Aid stations were magical little kingdoms staffed by heroes handing out flat Coke, salted potatoes, sweets, cake, crisps, sandwiches, and hope. I’m fairly sure I told one volunteer I loved them after they gave me a cup of coffee.

Somewhere after mile 30, things got spiritual.

Every uphill felt like betrayal. Every downhill felt like a personal attack from my quads. I entered that strange ultra-running dimension where time loses all meaning and your brain starts negotiating bizarre deals like:

“If we just get to that next gate, we can absolutely walk for a bit.”

The next gate, of course, was a lie.

From 50k to 55k I had started to lack energy, my head was trying so hard to tell me I was done, but I knew better. I took my five minute tantrum, followed by a five minute pity party, then an additional 5 minutes to give my self a Goggin's style talking to "stop being a little bitch and get this done"......I ignored Goggin's, he was getting on my tits at this point. I did not ignore the local angel that offered me an ice lolly, not any ice lolly, the best I have ever had. No sooner had I had a little walk and finished the multicoloured rocket (oldies will know what I mean), my legs were mine again and the race continued.

Then came the final stretch, the final 20k. That dangerous moment where you realise the finish is actually happening and suddenly you remember how to run like you’re not made entirely of gravel and regret. I was flying down the hills, running the flats, and overtaking the people that had passed during my "reset" time.

Crossing the finish line felt glorious. Equal parts triumph, relief, and deep concern about how I was going to sit down later. The finish meal was a little.....erm.....uncooked. What should have been the best hotdog I've ever seen, was a very pink, possibly resembled a human body pat, and was not appetising at all. Not to worry, the road side services on the 6 hour drive home would provide greasy, meaty, and calorie dense recovery food to see me through!

Would I do it again?

Absolutely......well maybe.....probably.

Would I say that during mile 32?

Absolutely not.

Lap of Windermere 2026: beautiful, brutal, and somehow still a good idea.

Probably.

My Race Plan

Goal

Primary Goal: Sub 9:30 and finish strong.

Secondary Goal: Finish, fight any nutritional and mental battles, do not |NF.

Stretch Goal: Top 20, 1st in age group........it's lovely to dream.

Strategy

- Start conservatively for the first 15–20km, run the flats and downhills
- Power hike all steep climbs like a professional
- Keep effort steady, pace-focused on conservative side
- Stay on top of fuelling from the very start, 40g gel 30 minutes
- No racing before halfway
- No emotional decisions after mile 30
- Smile for photos even if internally negotiating with God

Checkpoints

Early Miles: Relax, settle in, don’t be an idiot

Mid Race: Assess legs, maintain fuelling, resist dramatic thoughts

Final Third: Survive, problem-solve, forward progress only

Last 10km: Empty the tank and pretend this was always the plan

Nutrition Plan

Pre-Race

- Early breakfast 2.5–3 hours before start
- Breakfast bar 380Kcal
- Electrolyte drink - Precision 1000
- Enervit 40g 200mg caffeine gel 20 minutes pre-race

During Race

Target Intake

- 80–100g carbs per hour
- Regular electrolytes
- Gel every 30 minutes plus a little of what I fancy at each aid station (pizza at the half way point)

Fuel Sources

- SIS Beta and Enervit Gels - every 4th gel was Enervit Caffeine
- SIS Chews
- Tailwind
- Flat Coke
- Precision 1000 Electrolye Drink

Timing

- Eat every 30 mins
- Drink consistently, not just when thirsty - every 10 minutes

Final Thoughts

Ultra running is weird.

You pay money to be uncomfortable for 8+ hours, willingly climb hills no sane person would approach voluntarily, and then spend the next week telling everyone it was “actually brilliant.”

And honestly?

It was.

Even the suffering.

Especially the suffering.

See you next year, Windermere.