Sarah Perry sets a new women’s 13 Valleys Ultra record, finishing the race in under 30 hours.
This year’s 13 Valleys Ultra was a major event with new entries and record entries.
The full 13 Valleys Ultra route was completed for the first time, thanks to favorable weather conditions allowing runners to experience the punishing High Street Fell, standing at 828 metres, the highest point in the far east of the Lake District. Last year, the routes of the event had to be shortened due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Sarah Perry (Photo by Steve James)
The star athlete of the weekend was Sarah Perry, who broke the women’s course record by more than four hours, completing the grueling course in just 29 hours and 24 minutes. In endurance history, Ireland’s Leanne van Gyck, the second female finisher, put in a strong performance after recovering from a cycling accident earlier this year. Elaine Bisson, the 2023 top female finisher, was forced into an early retirement at Ambleside.
In the men’s race, Caspitz James put in a commanding performance, crossing the finish line in 25 hours and 33 minutes. His technical ability in the rough terrain was evident and he stated that it was “really hard underfoot, but the weather suited me; it was a really technical route.”
Caspian James (Photo by Steve James)
The 2 Valleys (22km) race saw a thrilling performance from Emilia Platt. He was first in the women’s field and finished second, just 11 seconds behind men’s winner Aron Larkin.
Platt is a member of the Alpine Run Project, founded by John McAvoy, a reformed felon and Nike-sponsored athlete who aims to bring running to young inner-city athletes. Platt’s output is a powerful testament to his success.
Referring to the project, Plath said: “The initiative is about improving you as a person, and for me, I’ve been through struggles and I’ve had confidence issues, this pushed me to the next step and helped me go. that flight to improve and become a better person.”
Participation in the event reached new heights as entries for the 5 Valleys (55 km) race doubled compared to last year. This growth reflects the availability of ultra running with the 13 Valleys Mission, which encourages runners to start with the shorter distance of 2 Valleys (22km) and gradually challenge themselves with longer distances. Many participants are now moving on to the 55km race.
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Outside of the race, the event had a positive impact on the local community, raising over £5,000 for the Lake District Foundation through race participation. Funds will go towards preserving and protecting the natural beauty of the Lake District, ensuring it remains a treasured landscape for future generations of runners and outdoor enthusiasts.
The 2025 event will take place on the weekend of September 26-28, 2025.
There are three race distances: 13 Valleys (180km), 7 Valleys (110km), 5 Valleys (55km), while 2 Valleys (22km) takes place in the Lake District National Park.
Learn more here.
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