The Coronavirus Pandemic has brought a great deal of disruption over the past 12-18 months resulting in the cancellation or postponement of many events. Unfortunately, date clashes have been inevitable and this coming weekend, July 10, we see three events in the Syrunner UK & Ireleand Series taking place – Lakes Sky Ultra, Pinnacle Ridge Extreme and the Gaelforce Sky Run.
Lakes Sky Ultra and Pinnacle Ridge offer two very varied challenges with plenty of ascent and technicality to the heart of the English Lakes brought to you by Charlie Sproson from lakedistrictskytrails.
The Lakes Sky Ultra
is one of the most technically demanding course-marked race’s the Lake District has ever seen with a distance 50km+ with 4000m+ ascent. Taking in Striding and Swirral Edge amongst other extremely technical terrain, competitors must have superb mountain skills for this challenge.
Short, but exceedingly hard, Pinnacle Ridge Extreme packs a massive punch, weaving its way around the Helvellyn Massif taking in some of the best lines, best scrambles and best descents… 28km with 2700m ascent, the numbers don’t do this race justice – It is a brute!
Charlie and the team hope to see you at Patterdale Hall for a stunning adventure.
The Gaelforce Sky Run postponed from earlier in 2021 now has confirmation to take place on July 10 bringing an unfortunate date clash for the UK & Ireland Series. However, this may well be a blessing in disguise with travel restrictions causing many issues.
The Gaelforce Sky Run is a mountain running event incorporating 3 distances to suit different levels of mountain running fitness and experience, however, only one event qualifies for the UK & Ireland Series. Set in the rugged wildness of the Maamturk mountains the event offers a 24KM (1253m+) race on open mountains with little or no trails.
Please note – Due to recent land access issues we have had to change the route on the 22km Sky Run for 2021. The route will still follow the same mountain ranges, with similar underfoot condition and magnificent scenery. We have attempting to keep distance and elevation as close as possible to the original route so it should not effect your predicted performance. The total distance has however increased from 22km to 24km.
The team at Killary Gaelforce offer a warm welcome in Ireland this July.
Please note
Due to date clashes and problems with scheduling, the UK & Ireland Series will, for 2021 only, crown a male and female ‘Irish Champion’ incorporating the best results of Gaelforce Sky Run, Seven Sisters Skyline and *Mourne Skyline MTR.
In the *UK, qualifying events will be Scafell SkyRace, Lakes Sky Ultra, Pinnacle Ridge Extreme and Snowdon Skyline, Mourne Skyline MTR.
*We are aware that the Mourne Skyline MTR is in Northern Ireland/ UK, however, to facilitate greater opportunity for Irish based runners we will allow for 2021 ranking to crossover.