Ricky Lightfoot

I’ve run Events Scafell Pike Trail Marathon three times prior to this weekend, I first won the inaugural event back in 2013, I followed that up with a second in 2014 after going horribly wrong over Scafell Pike and then a third place in 2021 where I ran my quickest time.

I didn’t have any expectations this year, I’m not the fittest I’ve been and it’s the most out of touch with racing I’ve been since I started running 23 years ago. Standing on the start line I didn’t feel any different from previous years though, yet when we got going it’s easy to see those missed sessions and inconsistency.

The start was steady, but after a couple of kilometres or so I pushed the pace a little forcing a small gap, I soon realised that I was making no progress and the effort wasn’t worth it, I settled back in and was quiet happy to sit in and bide my time. By Honister there were only 3 of us and by Styhead it was down to 2, half way along the Corridor route I caught my foot, I twisted it awkwardly, I took a second and continued up.
Over Scafell and back down to Styhead, my foot prevented me from running as fast as I’d liked down hill, but with the weather as bad as it was it was easier to sit behind and follow along.
The climb up to Watendlath has always been a race decider over the years, it’s a nasty sting in the tail in what has already been a tough route, Gavin pushed on up the climb and made a gap, rather than work harder to catch up I knew there was a long run in to the finish and wanted to leave any effort for those last few miles. Reaching Watendlath we were both together, at a split in the single track I saw my chance a got ahead, enough to make a small gap, which by Ashness Bridge had grown enough to be comfortable with, bar any mishaps.

Happy enough with how it went considering and the time probably reflects how runnings been just recently. Thanks to everyone for the support along the route, really helps a lot!



📸 .foz.foster/Isobelle Lightfoot

Entries are now open for one of the most scenic 10k’s around

We have some serious running talent amongst our previous winners and record holders and a very quick overall record averaging 5 minute19 second miles...... RAPID!

Entries are open for this years event at https://racebest.com/races/qtx93

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Have you ever seen a soul leave a mans body? ☠️

Neither have I but I’m pretty sure mine left me at Borrowdale Fell Race a few weeks back.

Borrowdale is one of those races which keeps drawing you back, year after year, for me it’s the epitome of fell racing.

The race started well for me, I broke away early with Brennan Townsend and it was clear that no one else would bother us for the rest of the race. Heading up Bessyboot I could feel I just didn’t have that extra gear which I felt Brennan had and felt as thought he may just bide his time.

We reached Scafell together and I quickly made a slight gap on the Corridor Route only for it to close on the latter part of it due to not picking the best route, we climbed Gable together and over to Honister.
At the foot of Dalehead Bren began to make a gap, I had no response and instantly felt that 9th win slipping away. I knew exactly how Brennan was feeling as he pulled away, it’s a position I’ve been in many a time but only this time I was on the receiving end.
By the summit Bren had pulled out a winning lead, I was still optimistic and thought I could maybe chase him down, but descending to the tarn I realised the gap was too big, I pushed on regardless.
As I approached the mines in the matter of a seconds, my legs became wobbly and head became light, I continued to move but slowed. I had to take a minute, I had “bonked” a sugar low, I kept moving, it was unreal how much my body was craving food.
I’d been like this before, coincidently the exact same race on this very descent 14 years ago, back then I was eating Opalfruits (now Sarbursts) with the paper wrappers on.

Thanks to the guy with dog at the gate who offered and gave me a squashed Nutri Grain Bar, at that moment it was the best thing I’d ever tasted, unfortunately it was just too late, from this point it was less than a couple of miles to the finish but it felt and looked a lot further, I ran some and walked some, until I got over the line.

Disappointing to not take another win at probably one of my favourite races but that’s how it goes some times and over the years I’ve been pretty lucky to be fit and healthy on the same day for this race every year.

I raced with a chest infection whilst on antibiotics which was a mistake, I thought I was over it which I wasn’t and the following day it came on even worse, I’m only just shaking the tail end of it off now two weeks later. If I knew that now it still wouldn’t have changed my decision to race.

Well done to Bren on the win and everyone who managed to get round.

Cheers to Scoffa, Borrowdale FR and team for another great day out.

Salomon Running Suunto Stance

📸 Andy Smith