International runners head to the Lakes

Athletes from around the world will parade through Ambleside to launch a weekend festival of mountain running next summer.

The streets will see flags from more than 15 different countries carried by youngsters arriving to take part in the International Under 18 Mountain Running Cup, the organisers are hoping.

The English team in Susa this summer

And along with the world’s premier competition for young runners, to be staged in England for the first time, Ambleside will also host an uphill time trial race to the summit of Wansfell, and an open race over the championship course.

England international Chloe Rylance in action. Photo: Steve Ashworth

The youth event has been a stepping stone for under-18 fell and mountain runners to race internationally since 2006.  Olympic triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee are among those who have started their international racing careers at this championship, and for the last 12 years teams from across the world have converged annually at mountain locations in Italy, France, Ireland, Bulgaria and Czech Republic to compete for the trophy.

 

The event flag was handed over to Ambleside AC’s Duncan Richards, chair of the organising committee, by Jonathan Wyatt, president of the World Mountain Running Association, after this summer’s race in Susa in Italy. A fundraising push is now needed to finalise the plans; the organisers are close to their £30,000 target but need a little more help.

The races will start in the town’s Rothay Park and cover marked courses on Loughrigg fell. The athletes will be accommodated at Ambleside YHA over the weekend, with a few youngsters staying at Windermere and Coniston YHA hostels on the first night.

 

Ambleside AC has had to raise all the funding to stage the event, including the cost of accommodating 150 athletes and officials, and they are nearing their target. The championship is supported by a number of leading companies including Epic Events, Inov8, Pete Bland Sports, and Kong Adventure. There have also been contributions from AFWM wealth management and the Ambleside Masons.

Ambleside AC junior runners test the international course on Loughrigg

“This is a fantastic accolade for our local club and will bring the international spotlight on Ambleside,” said Duncan.

“This event is all about developing and inspiring young people, be it international athletes, local athletes, local schools, clubs and communities.”

Duncan, who has been the England team manager at the last six Youth Cups, added: “I have seen the benefit such an experience can bring to young athletes, the confidence born from the shared experience of international competition.”

On the same day, (June 20) the FRA English Junior Championships will take place in the morning, followed by the international races, and then an open race for all runners over the championship course. “So Ambleside will be full of junior fell runners who can support England teams and be inspired by world class young athletes racing over Loughrigg.”

On the Friday night, after the athletes’ parade and the opening ceremony, there will be an open, uphill-only time trial event on Wansfell, starting from Ambleside town centre.

The world’s top tri-athlete Alistair Brownlee, who came 4^th in the event in Italy in 2005, said: “The Youth Cup holds many special memories for me. It’s a fantastic event that motivated me to carry on and continue in sport. It will be really special to bring it to Ambleside.”

PLEASE help Ambleside AC to reach the fundraising target :

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/youthcup2020

WATCH the video about this event here

 

 

 

Advertisement

Bottom bunk club for Lakes visitors

A Lake District hostel has launched the Bottom Bunk Club for groups who want to stay without climbing a ladder to bed.

Elterwater Independent Hostel, in the heart of the Langdale valley, says it’s not an age related offer, but “we know that life can get a bit more challenging as you get older. And when they need to get up in the night to go to the loo (maybe a little more often than in your youth), the climb back to the top bunk can be more challenging, than it once was.”

The Bottom Bunk Club is aimed at those groups who are happy to share a room but fight to avoid the bed ladder. And they are happy to welcome groups who want to stay indoors and read or play parlour games, as well as those who can head straight out onto the hills from the door.

“We find that the young at heart, of all ages, love coming to stay here for our location, for the great home cooking, and a few days of companionship in a beautiful location,” said manager Nick Owen.

“Our dormitories are small ones, so it’s just three to share at most. There are good hot showers and a great drying room if you do choose to spend a day on the hills.”

Which is why we’ve launched the Bottom Bunk Club.”

The deal is for a group of at least ten people, who can then have the whole hostel to themselves for a mid-week break (Monday to Thursday) in November or December.

You need to book a minimum of two nights, but it’s only £80 per person for two nights bed, breakfast and dinner.

For dinner you might be offered homemade steak pie or mushroom stroganoff, followed by Nick’s fabulous sticky toffee pudding; and the next morning there will be a full Cumbrian cooked breakfast available.

Book the Bottom Bunk Club by calling  01539437245 or email bookings@elterwaterhostel.co.uk for more details.