Sarah Emerson kindly wrote this race report of her Lakeland 50 challenge….
On Saturday 25th July, I set off to begin the Lakeland 50. But really, it didn’t start that morning, it started the previous September, the moment I received the email saying I’d got a place.
From that point on, the goal of running 50 miles became part of everyday life. Training was a rollercoaster. Some days felt effortless; others felt impossible. Heading into the race, I was entering completely unknown territory. The furthest I’d ever run was a 50km race (32 ish miles), so everything beyond that would be a first.
After the heatwave we’d been having, I was worried about tackling 50 miles in those conditions. Thankfully, the weather gods answered my prayers and race day brought glorious drizzle and a light breeze. As darkness fell, the rain became heavier and, rather than dreading it, I found myself loving every minute. Running through the Lakeland fells in the middle of the night, headtorch on, surrounded by nothing but rain and the occasional runner, was one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had.
We left the campsite at 7am to catch the bus to the start in Dalemain. I had no idea how the day would unfold, but the next time I arrived back in Coniston was at 3:09am. Somehow, after 17 hours and 9 minutes on my feet, I still managed a sprint finish before being welcomed over the line by an incredible cheer.
The race wasn’t all plain sailing. There were a few miles where I felt nauseous and wondered how I was going to keep moving. After the best cup of tea at a checkpoint, I found a second wind and managed to run a chunk of the final miles.
One of the most memorable moments came running through Ambleside. The streets were packed with people cheering complete strangers, and the atmosphere was incredible. It gave me a boost just when I needed it.
If you’d told me three years ago that I’d one day complete 50 miles, I’d never have believed you. During the inevitable post-race debrief with Liv and Joe, I realised something surprising: I hadn’t just completed it, I’d genuinely loved it. The stunning route, the camaraderie between runners, the amazing volunteers and supporters, and the feeling of achieving something I never thought I was capable of made it an unforgettable experience. I’ve got a reminder in my calendar already for when the ballot opens for next year!
