Skyrunning in Northern Ireland + Lakes In A Day: This Week's Trail Tally

Mourne Skyline Race View © Skyrunning YouTube Channel

Chasing Trails: Week 42

From the rugged Mourne Mountains to the top sights in the Lakes, trail runners faced the elements, diverse terrain, and exciting challenges this past weekend. We’ve loved tracking the Skyrunner World Series and Under-23 series, while also cheering for everyone who took on Lakes In A Day. Well done to all!

- Kate Parker, Director - Founder

Anna Llewellyn Conquers the Lakes

For another year, Lakes In A Day, organised by Durty Events, put on a fantastic show highlighting the beauty and difficulty of running in the Lake District. This 50-mile ultra run starts in Caldbeck and heads south to Cartmel, passing by the Helvellyn Ridge and the western shores of Lake Windermere. There are 4000 m of ascent and it’s quite the “journey” as described by many runners: technical terrain, stunning views, amazing volunteers… the lot.

This year’s race was won outright with a fantastic performance by Anna Llewellyn, who finished in 8:50:13. The next fastest runner and men’s winner was Sam Milton (9:19:07), almost half an hour behind her! Anna also set a new women’s course record (set by trail running legend Jasmin Paris in 2022).

The women’s podium was completed by Grace Culling (10:39:40) and Helen Roberts (11:55:55), while Lakes and ultra running legend Nicky Spinks was fourth (12:19:58).

The men’s race saw Mark Baines claim second (9:39:35) and Daniel Thacker third (9:51:46). 

Start of Lakes In A Day © Durty Events Instagram

Skyrunner World Series Success for Natalie Beadle

The Skyrunner World Series comprises no fewer than 24 races run across sixteen countries and four continents. Skyrunning is a sharp, fast type of trail running, with distances typically around the 20-30 km mark, but with significant elevation gains, minimum average inclines of 6% and at least 5% of the race at 30% or more. In other words, quick, technical, and very much focused on good climbing and descending skills. With some stunning alpine scenery to reward the runners, too. 

After placing in the top 20 in some of the series races earlier this year, Natalie Beadle found her stride by September, when she was fourth at Saint Jeoire Skyrace in France, over 34 km with 3010 m of ascent. Last weekend, she climbed one step higher and reached the top three at the Mourne Skyline in Northern Ireland (35 km with 2700 m of ascent in the iconic Mourne Mountains). On a foggy, moody morning, the women’s race unfolded on slippery, difficult terrain, with Natalie chasing Spain’s Naiara Irigoyen and Marta Martinez in front. On the steep ascents, Natalie closed the gap to secure her third place by the finish in Newcastle. Final results: Naiara first (4:13:15), Marta second (4:19:32), Natalie third (4:20:27). The next best placed British runner was Kirsty Oldham in a superb time of 4:30:50 for fifth. 

The men’s race podium was also dominated by Spain, with Manuel Merillas fresh off his second place at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships Short Trail, securing a victory in 3:23:36, followed by Oier Zubeldia (3:36:10) and France’s Damien Humbert (3:36:55). British male runners placed in the top 10, with Jacob Adkin (also coming back to racing after Worlds) finishing in 3:50:17 for ninth place and Harry Bolton following in 3:56:29 for tenth. 

Natalie was the highest placed British runner in the overall series going into the Mournes, in 11th place overall. There are now three more races left until the series final, the Marato dels Dements, which takes place in Spain on the 8th of November. 

Women’s Top 5 © Evan Davies / Skyrunning Instagram

A Nail Biting Second Place for Tom Spencer

Since 2024, the Skyrunner World Series has created a special Under-23 trophy which takes into account young runners’ results in specific races on the global circuit (typically, the relatively shorter distances). This commemorates the late Esteban Olivero, a young skyrunner who lost his life in 2023. 

The UK’s Finlay Grant and Tom Spencer have been competing in this year’s races with great success, notably coming first and second, respectively, in the Tatra Trail 15 km race in Poland in July. This weekend, he put on an exciting show in the Mourne Skytrail (20 km with 1300 m of ascent).

In a sprint finish against Spain’s Ibai Larrea Aranguren, Tom ultimately finished in second place (Ibai’s time was 1:37:45, followed by Tom three seconds later). Third place went to another Brit, Finlay Grant, in 1:46:51.

In the women’s race, Louise Mitchell was third in 2:17:49, behind two Spanish runners: Claudia Corral Hodar (2:05:07) and Carodilla Cabestre Sahun (2:15:06). 

Next step on the U23 circuit is the final: the Sobrescobio Speed Trail in Spain on 26 October. 

Mourne Skytrail Men’s Podium © Skyrunning Facebook

It’s been amazing to notice the evolution of the Under 23 series of skyrunning, with rising talent getting exposure and the opportunity to compete in fantastic races around the world for the Esteban Olivero trophy. I’m really looking forward to the series final in a couple of weeks, and to the Skymasters final in November!

- Alecsa Stewart, Fitness & Travel Writer