The Lakeland Trails are the brainchild of former international athlete Graham Patten, who wanted to bring a European model of trail running to the Lake District. The first event was held in September 2004 and had just 80 competitors. The events have grown considerably since then, in both the number of venues and competitors, and attracted over 5000 trail runners in 2010.
Listen to the BBC Radio Cumbria interview with Lakeland Trails Event Director, Graham Patten, live on the Kevin Fernihough show, recorded on 3rd February 2011, for a personal reflection on the story so far.
The Lakeland Trails™ team have a passion for the environment. We are fortunate to be able to use some of the most beautiful, scenic trails in the UK. Working alongside organisations such as the National Trust, Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Police, we try and keep the environmental impact of the Lakeland Trails™ events down to a minimum.
The courses are already planned over environmentally sustainable trails and bridleways, often ancient pack horse trails that have been in use since the Middle Ages. Assessments by the National Trust have shown the impact from a Lakeland Trails™ event is negligible.
We try and use natural, locally sourced materials wherever possible. Look out for the marker posts on the course - they are hazel rods from a National Trust coppiced woodland.
When you have a drink at the water station and finish - all our cups are biodegradable, made from starch based derivatives. After the event, they will go straight to a composting site.
We try and recycle as many things as possible. All our Lakeland Trails™ signs are re-used at all the events. The plastic banner tape is wound into balls and used again and again. As the pieces gradually become smaller, they get used as signs on the course. Their final destination is a community arts project being made into colourful carnival costumes.
We are trying to become as paper free as possible, with online entry and information through the website and by emails. All the promotional material we have is printed on 100% recycled paper.
Many of the things we use are made from recycled material. The winner's podium was made from scrap plywood salvaged from a skip !
We encourage our competitors to bring their family and friends along to make the most of their trip and extend their stay by providing additional entertainments, in association with local businesses. This helps maximise the numbers of people in a vehicle. We also encourage car sharing and have a link up with the TrailRunning.co.uk forum so that folk can get together. For those arriving by public transport or bike, there is a secure baggage storage area provided at the venues.
Our aim is to provide a positive impact on you, and no impact on the environment.
For general questions please email the Lakeland Trails Team
