Undeterred by pandemic restrictions, a new long-distance virtual running challenge is taking place throughout May, to help people across the UK explore the Lake District’s ‘hidden’ coastline and reconnect with coastal landscapes.
‘Run the Edge’ gives participants the chance to take a 10K challenge, a half marathon and finally a full marathon. Along the way, they’ll uncover tranquil beaches, Roman ruins, cliffs, rivers and sweeping valleys leading to England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike.
See a coastal video of the Lake District, Cumbria here
Run the Edge inspires people to visit an often overlooked coastline as restrictions continue to ease.
Highlights along the way include:
- St Bees Head: The only stretch of official ‘Heritage Coast’ between Wales and Scotland, the only area of high sea cliffs in the North West and home to one of the largest colonies of sea birds on England’s west coast.
- Historic Whitehaven: Used as a template for the expansion of New York in the mid-18th century, it is even reputed to be the inspiration for Lilliput in Gulliver’s Travels.
- Ravenglass: The Lake District National Park’s only coastal village has the unique accolade of being in TWO UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Hadrian’s Wall and the English Lake District)
- Silecroft beach: Rated excellent for water quality, this tranquil haven is set against the backdrop of Black Combe – one of the Lake District’s most famous southerly peaks.
- Millom: Birthplace of the acclaimed poet Norman Nicolson.
Originally planned as a mass-participation event, runners can complete the Run the Edge route by running (or walking) on a treadmill in their own local area (or on the actual route if they are living or staying nearby).
Participants receive a weekly email with the challenge instructions that will test their endurance over a variety of distances, describing that week’s route and key points along the way. The distances can each be broken down and completed over a full week.
Run the Edge is part of the Connecting Cumbria’s Hidden Coast project which highlights all the coast has to offer and hopes to attract more Lake District visitors to explore nearby beaches, bays, paths and cliffs.
Entries costs £18. Sign up for Run the Edge now or find the event on Facebook here
Everyone receives a medal for taking part.
The virtual event has been organised for Copeland Council by Breaking Strain Events.