DREAM RUN: Lake District Grand Tour, UK

WRITTEN BY: TRM editor KATE DZIENIS
PHOTO: SAM HILL

GLORIOUS, AND EVER SO BEAUTIFUL, LDGT IN THE UK

If there’s ever a Dream Run recommendation to put on your wish list, it’s the freakingly beautiful Lake District Grand Tour (LDGT) in the UK. Lake District in itself is England’s largest national park and now a World Heritage Site, so running through here means you’re in the presence of incredible natural history.

Here in this stunning photograph by Sam Hill, runner George Foster runs through the northern fells of the English Lake District above Crummock Water. Fell running often involves off-trail running across heather, tussock, bog, grass and loose rock, and although not very big in this particular area (about 900m above sea level) the mountains can be technical and demanding – no run, or foot step, is ever the same.

If you fancy yourself a trip to the land of the Angles, do it so that you can combine the LDGT with your holiday, so pack your running shoes, your poles and be prepared to be a bit sleep deprived because if you’re someone who’s up for a challenge of sheer brut and strength of both the mental and physical kind, then this is the event to register for.

It’s a 400km ultra trail race that will give you about 17,000m+ elevation gain plus a decent 30 mountain passes, links to all 13 valleys, a visit to 10 out of the 16 lakes and only 42km of tarmac.

Let’s just say that the LDGT is not a flat race!

In 2023, if you’re not up for a 400km, race directors will have available a 55km race in the Northern Fells of Skiddaw Forest, but in 2024 there are plans to see the first ever editions of a 170km in the Eastern Fells around Ullswater and Haweswater, and a 110km in the Western Fells around Wasdale, Ennerdale, Crummock Water and Buttermere.

The LDGT 400 is an unforgiving race for the ill-prepared, but don’t let that turn you off.

For more information visit ldgt.co.uk

THIS DREAM RUN STORY AND ALL ITS ACCOMPANYING STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY IS FEATURED IN TRAIL RUN MAG #45 (NOV/DEC 2022).

DREAM RUN: Grand Canyon National Park, USA

WRITTEN BY: DANIELLA A. COLOMBO-DOUGOVITO
PHOTO: DANIELLA A. COLOMBO-DOUGOVITO

LET DANIELLA TAKE YOU THROUGH THE BLISS OF THE GRAND CANYON

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK IN THE US STATE OF ARIZONA is pure, unadulterated freedom, and pure magic for trail run lovers. Although most people think of only desolate desert when they hear of Arizona, the landscape is actually dotted with areas of high and low elevation deserts (with some elevations reaching over 8000 ft) as well as volcanic mountain ranges, and you can camp amongst carnivorous forests, waking up surrounded by elk or wild horses.

Running is emotional and cathartic here, especially the Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R) in the Grand Canyon. A total of about 70km, this is an ultra runner’s dream. The wildlife you can see on trail is phenomenal, and it includes Desert Bighorn sheep, Kaibab squirrels, Ringtail, the Grand Canyon rattlesnake, and scorpions.

Most runners prefer to start the R2R2R from the South Rim on either the South Kaibab Trail (SKT) or the Bright Angel Trail (BAT), then head down into the Grand Canyon, cross over the Colorado River on a suspension bridge, run back up and down North Kaibab Trail (NKT) on the North Rim, and finish their journey back up and out of the canyon on the shaded Bright Angel (BAT) trail.

For runners who love the heat, mid-May is the time of year to hit the trails here, however those who enjoy cooler weather, then October to November is ideal.

For more information visit nps.gov/grca/index.htm

THIS DREAM RUN STORY AND ALL ITS ACCOMPANYING STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY IS FEATURED IN TRAIL RUN MAG #44 (AUG/SEPT 2022).

DREAM RUN: Transcend Ultra

PHOTO: MARCO NOE

WHILE MOST PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA think the country’s nothing but red desert and dirt with hardly a watering hole in sight, the west coast is fifty shades of emerald green and a host to overflowing rivers when winter kicks in.

Showcasing the very best of the Avon Valley National Park, which is set 80km north-east of Perth in Western Australia, the Transcend Ultra was created in 2021 by mates Shane Johnstone and Mitchell Craig. Having travelled together for a number of years to search for the best hikes and endurance events, they got a taste for high quality trail races but were left wondering and asking themselves why the same wasn’t conducted ‘at home’.

Their original mission was clear – to bring the quality and experience of international trail events right to their doorstep in Perth, and there was no better place for runners to traverse than the Avon Valley, which had never been run in its entirety via a foot race before.

The route allows Transcend Ultra athletes to run from Walyunga National Park to Cobbler Pool near Toodyay, which is a 65km distance with 2700m of elevation, and includes running through a number of privately managed properties, two national parks, a regional park, a wildlife sanctuary and two LGAs.

Transcend Ultra comes alive in winter with rivers, rapids, water falls, lush green flora and so much abundant wildlife you’ll be whipping out your phone camera every few minutes. The region also has a strong cultural association with the Whadjuk and Ballardong natives as well as a historic background with early settlers in Toodyay including iconic figures such as Yagan and Moondyne Joe.

With a massive shift in event demands towards outdoor experience rather than inner city based events, the Transcend Ultra is for both solo runners and relay teams with this year’s edition being held 26 June, 2022.

For more information visit transcendtrails.com

Photo: Marco Noe