Race report by Josie:
Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race – Saturday 10th October 2026
The Langdale Horseshoe is one of the true Lakeland classics. Starting and finishing at the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale, it takes in a rough, rocky circuit of c. 21km with around 1,450m of climb. The route goes via Stickle Tarn, Thunacar Knott, Esk Hause, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Pike of Blisco — 13 miles of pathless fell and technical boulder fields.
The forecast was pretty grim for the weekend, showing heavy rain and strong winds on the tops.
I set off at a conservative pace — I hadn’t run at all in the last fortnight with the exception of a five-miler as I’d felt run down — so my legs felt heavy from the start. By halfway I was seriously considering dropping out, but not one for giving up, I battled on.
Pushing through hail showers on the high ground, I eventually found a second wind. I took a great line off Crinkle Crags making up places and dug deep up to the final summit. The underfoot conditions leaving Pike o’ Blisco were wet beyond belief and, like many, I succumbed to a deep bog up to my thigh followed by a faceplant! Thankfully I recovered quickly and the finish line was calling me. I finished strongly, overtaking a few runners in the final mile to come in first in my age category in 3:32:50.
A tough day out, but hugely rewarding to get round in those conditions. 📷 @granddayoutphotography
