Lakesman Review
28th June 2023
Ok, so not strictly a running event, though it does include running a marathon once you’ve got the small matter of a 2.4 mile lake swim (around 152 lengths of your swimming pool) and a 112 mile bike ride (equivalent of driving Hull to Manchester Airport) done. The Lakesman is a triathlon event set in the beautiful Lake District, based at Keswick. They offer a couple of different races, a half (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run) or the Full, with the distances mentioned above. There’s also relay options, where three people can make a team, and each person does an individual discipline – may be worth knowing for KUHACs wanting to get into Triathlon. I’m fortunate enough to have done this event since 2018 but, as many know, this was my ‘A’ race for the year, stepping up to the Full which I had yet to conquer. Both Natalie, and former KUHAC Paul Wilkinson would also be joining me on the start line.
I apologise now if this becomes a long read, Lakesman is more of a whole weekend event as opposed to the time between the hooter going and crossing the finish line. That said, having set off around 11am Friday, we soon hit a dead stop on the A1 with the road closed, and our sat nav suggesting we might arrive by 1.20am, so it was debatable how much of the weekend we might get to be involved with. Not the best start. The road eventually opened and we made it there around 6pm.
There are a few things going on in the build up to race day. Friday night there’s an organised swim within Derwent water lake, the same lake you swim in on race day, and that’s followed by an almost unofficial parkrun takeover at Keswick Parkrun (with a twist). There was a good representation of KUHACs at Parkrun including me, Becky, Natalie, Laura and the two Toms (plus Wilko). So this twist then… well those that do Lakesman came up with the idea one year that we should do the parkrun in our “budgie smugglers” i.e pants. Probably whilst in a pub enjoying one too many of the local ales. The idea is all good natured, light-hearted and welcome fun once on the course, though running past dog walkers on the way certainly produces some shocked expressions. One for David Rivers to tick off possibly? The Saturday afternoon is wrapped up with an official budgie smuggler run (1km) through Keswick’s park – more running around in very little. This is intended as an ice breaker to help relax athletes’ nerves before the event, but again, I’m not sure what the people of this quiet town think seeing 100+ people running through in just their underwear (trust me, there was some skimpy efforts on show too).
Once all the fun’s done and dusted, its time to get down to business. We had a 4am alarm to get ready for a 6am start with the first discipline being the swim. This year the water was very calm, shallow and warm. For me, the swim went great as I got into a good position at the start and had a lot of space which allowed me to get into a good flow. I finished the swim in 1 hour and 7 minutes, second in my age category and 23rd position overall. After the swim comes the bike. This is two laps of a 56 mile course around the north west lakes and up into the hills. There’s 4200ft of elevation within the course and the views are stunning. I handled the bike really well and enjoyed it without too much tiredness creeping in.
I felt the long hours of training had paid off and finished in 5 hours and 41 minutes, averaging just under 20mph. I was still second in my age category and now 27th overall. Just a marathon to go now then. This was six laps of a run course which went through a rugby club twice per lap where all our supporters were. It gave me a boost to see Becky, Tom, Tom and Laura each lap shouting encouragement. Two laps went by without too much issue, though my gut didn’t feel particularly great, then things started to get tough for me. It was hot, it was humid and I slowed down, introduced a few walks at certain points and just kept breaking down the route each lap to get me through it. I eventually finished the marathon in 4 hours 34 mins, now third in my age category and 42nd overall. I was a Lakesman. Completed it in 11 hours, 43 minutes and 38 seconds, I was buzzing!
At the time of finishing, I wasn’t aware I had won an age category prize until I got back later on the night and checked the official results. It was something I never thought would be a possibility. The Monday morning, after a full English and a pint for breakfast, we went to the presentation where me and Natalie, still wearing our finishers t-shirt and medals, jubilantly collected our awards (Becky says I was up out my seat to collect it before they called my name)! I would like to say a big thank you to all KUHACs that sent messages of support, encouragement and good luck, and, to those that came to watch the event, your support was brilliant.
