Summer is the season for fell racing here in the Lakes, when the trickle of fell races that keep the keenest of racers happy over winter gives way to a flood of options so numerous that it can be hard to decide where to race next!

Amongst the many races on offer, there are seven that are known as the Lakeland Classics. These are some of the oldest – and longest – races on the calendar: Borrowdale, Buttermere, Ennerdale, Langdale, Three Shires and Duddon Valley. The prized Lakeland Classics trophy – first presented in 2002 in a bid to encourage participation in these great races after they’d started to see declining entry numbers – is on offer for the best performance across three of the seven races.

Last weekend, The Round’s own “Super” Harry Bolton took on, and won, one of these classics, Duddon Valley. The long course is a classic fell race covering 18 miles around the head of the Duddon Valley, with 6000ft of climb over Harter, Hardknott, Little Stand, Swirl How, Dow Crag, White Pike and Caw. Harry stormed to victory in a mega time of 2:57:15.

Photo credit: Stephen Wilson at Grand Day Out Photography – instagram: @granddayoutphotography

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