A stunning trail running adventure in the beautiful Northern Lake District around the mighty Skiddaw with a 50km or 20 mile option

IMPORTANT UPDATE

GTS 2025 CANCELLED

I’m absolutely gutted to share that I’ve had to make the incredibly difficult decision to cancel the 2025 Grand Tour of Skiddaw. Despite doing everything I could behind the scenes, a mix of rising costs, reduced entry fees, the loss of our original venue, and now major uncertainty around parking, camping, and facilities has left me with no viable option to go ahead this year. This hasn’t been an easy call - we’ve poured a lot into trying to make it work - but it simply wouldn’t have been the experience that GTS is meant to be.

All registered runners have been contacted directly regarding next steps, and I’m so grateful for the support and understanding we’ve already received.

This isn’t the end - we’re taking a step back in the hope of returning stronger in the future.

Thank you all so much for being part of the GTS journey.

IN A NUTSHELL

Grand Tour of Skiddaw

Distance

50 km

Elevation

6,733 ft

Date

16th August 2025

Cut off

11 hours

Entry

Solo - £65 Pairs - £110

Back o' Skiddaw

Distance

20 miles

Elevation

3,760 ft

Date

16th August 2025

Cut off

8 hours

Entry

Solo - £50

Cumbria & Westmorland Locals Ticket - 15% discount. See HERE for more info.

THE COURSE

The 2025 Grand Tour of Skiddaw in the beautiful Northern Lake District now includes two route options. A 50km or 20 mile version. Come join us on August 16th. Both will take you up the remote and beautiful High Pike with the 50km including a climb up the mighty Skiddaw.

The Skiddaw 50km route with 6733ft of total climb is run almost entirely on public footpaths and bridleways, starting and finishing in the beautiful village of Caldbeck in Cumbria. You are almost immediately out on to the stunning and remote feeling Caldbeck Fells, where you will climb up and over High Pike for your first of five Wainwrights of the day. You then make your way past Skiddaw House to the car park at Latrigg where you will reach the checkpoint. You will then go grab the Latrigg Wainwright before making your way back past the checkpoint. The climb up Skiddaw follows, after visiting the summit (and ringing the bell) you descend via Longside Edge and Ullock Pike, giving fantastic views over Bassenthwaite. After passing through the Peter House Farm checkpoint you contour round passing through Orthwaite, Branthwaite and Fell Side before the route brings you back to Caldbeck and a welcome you will not soon forget.

View the 50km route on OS maps and download the gpx file. You do NOT need to pay for an OS subscription to do this.

View route

The Skiddaw 20 mile route (affectionately know as ‘Back ‘o SKiddaw’) with 3760ft of total climb is largely similar to the 50km route without the slog up Skiddaw. You are also almost immediately out onto the stunning and remote feeling Caldbeck Fells, where you will climb up and over High Pike to bag your Wainwright. You then make your way to Skiddaw House where you will turn right and skirt along the base of the mountain to reach Peter House Farm where you will then contour round passing through Orthwaite, Branthwaite and Fell Side before the route brings you back to Caldbeck and a welcome you will also not soon forget.

View the 20 mile route on OS maps and download the gpx file. You do NOT need to pay for an OS subscription to do this.

View route

All images reproduced with permission from XXXX XXXXX and XXXXX XXXX

DETAILS

WHEN

The Grand Tour of Skiddaw will take place on 16th August 2025, with two different race distances available.

Grand Tour of Skiddaw 50 km will start at 8.30am and final cutoff a generous 11 hours later.

Back ‘o Skiddaw 20 mile will start at 11.30am and final cutoff an equally generous 8 hours later.

The cut-off times are strictly enforced at checkpoints. Any competitor who hasn’t LEFT the checkpoint by the cut-off time will be timed out and not allowed to continue in the event.

REGISTRATION

The Start and Finish venue is the beautiful village of Caldbeck, Cumbria.
We will have ample space for camping and parking.

Registration will open between 6am-8am on race day Saturday 16th. We may look to also provide registration on the Friday night but this is not confirmed at this stage. All runners must provide their vehicle registration number, if parking onsite.

All runners, including pairs, will have their kit checked BEFORE collecting their race number and tracker.

All pairs must come to registration and kit check together.

Any runner found to be missing any items from the mandatory kit list will not be allowed to compete.

Your entry fee includes a gps tracker, a marked Harveys route map, a medal/coaster made from local Lakeland slate, a finishers t-shirt (opt out option available), fully stocked checkpoints, numerous on course safety marshals, a finishers meal and more enthusiastic volunteers than you can shake a stick at.

CHECKPOINTS

There are 2 checkpoints on the 50km and 1 on the 20 miler, supplying drinks, snacks and kind words (or a firm bit of encouragement where required).

The checkpoints are located on the Mirehouse Estate land close to Latrigg car park and also within Peter House Farm land.

Additionally the are numerous safety points on the route, including but not limited to Lingy Hut and the summit of Skiddaw (don’t forget to ring the bell!).

All checkpoints will have basic first aid kits, sanitary supplies and encouragement in abundance.

Grand Tour of Skiddaw 50km (8:30 start)

CP Latrigg - overall 4 hour cut off - leave by 12:30 ( at 20.5 km)
CP Peter House Farm - overall 7-hour 30min cut off - leave by 16:00 ( at 35.5 km)
Finish - overall 11-hour cut off - arrive by 19:30 ( at 50 km (ish)... and now stop!)

Back ‘o Skiddaw 20 mile (11:30 start)

CP Peter House Farm - overall 4-hour 30min cut off - leave by 16:00 ( at 12 miles)
Finish - overall 8-hour cut off - arrive by 19:30 ( at 20 miles (ish)... and now stop!)

The total climb for Skiddaw 50km is 6733ft and for Skiddaw 20 mile is 3760ft. Factor this into your pacing plan.

TRACKERS

Every competitor or team will carry a mandatory tracker. The trackers are a great safety tool for Event HQ but also allow your family and friends to become 'dot watchers' as they follow your progress along the route. The trackers contain an RFID tag which will enable your time at each checkpoint to be recorded automatically rather than relying on remembering to 'dib in'.

AWARDS

Everyone who crosses the finish-line within cutoff time will receive a gorgeous Lakeland slate medal (which doubles nicely as a coaster) and a finishers shirt (which if we say so ourselves, is what my dad would have called 'pub worthy'). You may opt out of the t-shirt option in lieu of a donation to MRT.

There are additional awards for the first, second and third male and female solo runners and the first, second and third pairs.

Due to the weight of the Lakeland slate trophies we won't be posting them out, so if you're one of our winners please make sure you collect your trophy before you head off.

In addition there will be recognition of age categories. Awards to 1st place male and female veteran 40, 50, 60 and 70.

The following all receive an invite to run the following year for free : 1st place male, 1st place female and first place pairs and 1st place male and female veteran 40, 50, 60 and 70

FIRST AID

First Aiders and Medics will be available around the route.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

There will be an official event media team, who will be out on the route so smile nicely! You’ll be able to download the event photos for free from the Facebook page after the event.

Course records

These records were set on the historical 46 mile GTS course.

Results from 2019 can't be counted for records due to extreme weather short course.

RACE RULES

MANDATORY KIT LIST

The following items MUST be carried during the event. There will be a Kit Check for ALL runners pre-race and random kit checks throughout the event. Any runner found not to be carrying the FULL Mandatory Kit List will be disqualified. This rule is for the runners’ safety, which is our main priority.

The kit list is intentionally the same for the 20 miler as it is for the 50km. Ask anyone who did the event in 2019 which had 75mph winds over High Pike and they'll assure you it makes sense.

Waterproof jacket and trousers with taped seams. Windproof or showerproof will NOT be accepted
Spare long-sleeved base layer top
Hat and gloves (a 'buff' accepted as a hat)
Mobile phone (fully charged)
Tracker (supplied)
Compass (mobile app not accepted)
Map of the route (supplied) The route is covered by OS Explorer OL4 and OL5.
Emergency Foil Blanket or Bivi bag
First Aid Kit to include blister plasters, sterile dressing and tape as a minimum
Whistle
Mug or cup
Sufficient food and drink. The runners will be self-sufficient between Checkpoints

PACERS/UNREGISTERED RUNNERS

Pacers and/or unregistered runners are not permitted. This could seriously endanger the event due to permit and insurance requirements. Any runner found to be accompanied by a non registered runner will be subject to disqualification.

We do however allow and encourage the 'buddying up' with another registered runner if you are unsure about a section when leaving a checkpoint.

SPECTATING

Spectating is encouraged and allowed. We strongly advise your supporters do NOT visit either Checkpoint. We would hate to see the event put in jeopardy if we cause 'mayhem' with vehicles, especially Peter House Farm which is on private land. We would also ask for common sense to be applied with where they do support from and please ensure no disruption to local residents and landowners (don't park in front of driveways, block gates etc).

DOGS

We regret that runners are not allowed to run with their dogs. This rule has been enforced by the Lake District National Park Authority due to the SSSI nature of Caldbeck and Uldale Commons. You are welcome to bring your dog along to the camping field in Caldbeck, please keep them on a lead at all times and obviously clean up after them.

Historical results

View results from the Grand Tour back to 2014

View results

PARKING AND ACCOMODATION

At Race HQ you will have the option to camp on Friday and Saturday night (tents and camper vans only, the site is not suitable for caravans). There will be a bar (The Stagger Inn), hot food options, a fire-pit and much more. We look forward to seeing you.

Camping is provided at £10 per night, per person onsite from Friday to Sunday pm (under 12’s free) . The site is not suitable for caravans and as such they will not be permitted on site.

Free parking is provided for one vehicle per runner onsite from Friday to Sunday. This does not cover a camper van that you are sleeping in :)

The camping field must be vacated by noon on Sunday. The camping is pre bookable and paid via the online entry system. If sleeping under the stars isn’t your thing, then please do check out www.golakes.co.uk or www.caldbeckvillage.co.uk for places to stay locally.

REFUNDS AND WAIVERS

This link will download the EXACT waiver that you will agree to when registering. Please read fully and contact us should you have any questions.

LOCAL INCENTIVE ENTRY

We are very aware of the impact running events can have on both the communities and landscape that we run and even more so in an area such as the Lake District. We already have MRT as our chosen charity and going forward will be donating towards the Fix the Fells campaign. In addition we would like to encourage more local participation in the Grand Tour of Skiddaw weekend.

From 2025 we will be adding a Cumbria & Westmorland Locals Ticket with a 15% discount if you have a CA or LA postcode. You MUST select this ticket on entry and you will automatically get the discount. You will then be asked for proof of this at race registration (licence or a recent utility bill or bank statement). If you are unable to provide this you will need to pay the 15% before you are able to start the race.

This is available in both races and also for a pairs entry in the 50km.