Charm Bracelet Trail Events Blencathra Marathon

The course

What you’re in for

A true mountain marathon in the Northern Fells: 26.4 miles from Caldbeck with 5,875 ft of climb over five Wainwrights — Bowscale Fell, Blencathra, Mungrisdale Common, Knott and High Pike. Two checkpoints, both with water and the first with snacks. Twelve hours, fully tracked, GPX provided. For experienced fell runners and walkers rather than a first mountain race.

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Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Caldbeck, Cumbria, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

EXPERT

Bob Graham Round Leg 2: Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise

22.3km · 1,690m climb · Point to point · 14km away

It is the great runnable middle of the Bob Graham: a near-continuous high ridge where you can hold a rhythm over twelve tops without ever dropping to the valley.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Skiddaw and Blencathra via Lonscale Fell

23.2km · 1,412m climb · Loop · 15km away

Four Northern Fell Wainwrights in one continuous round, including the roof of the region on Skiddaw and the dramatic edges of Blencathra.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Espresso Round

22.6km · 1,055m climb · Loop · 17km away

All four summits are visible from George Fisher's cafe window, so you can plan the whole thing over a coffee before you go and pick out exactly what you're about to climb.

Checked Jul 2026

EXPERT

Bob Graham Round Leg 1: Skiddaw and Blencathra

20.8km · 1,576m climb · Point to point · 17km away

You get the start of the most famous round in British fell running, crossing Skiddaw at 931 m and the lonely top of Great Calva before the high traverse to Blencathra and the steep drop off Hall's Fell.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Catbells from Keswick

16.8km · 431m climb · Loop · 17km away

You earn the Catbells summit the long way, with kilometres of lakeside running each side of the climb and no car needed from Keswick.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Walla Crag, Castle Crag and Derwentwater from Keswick

26.2km · 719m climb · Loop · 17km away

Two contrasting little Wainwrights on one long lap, the airy edge of Walla Crag above Derwentwater and the steep slate cone of Castle Crag deep in Borrowdale.

Checked Jul 2026

All Lake District routes →

How to enter

Common questions

How far is the Blencathra Marathon?

The Blencathra Marathon is one distance: Marathon (42.5 km / 26.4 miles).

How much climbing is in the Blencathra Marathon?

The Marathon has 1,791 m of ascent.

How hard is the Blencathra Marathon?

Marathon: Expert. Distances are measured off the course file. Where the file carries no elevation, the climb is the organiser's published figure.

Is the Blencathra Marathon course marked?

We haven't confirmed the marking on the Blencathra Marathon with Charm Bracelet Trail Events. Check their race information before you enter rather than assuming it either way.

What kit do I need for the Blencathra Marathon?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the Blencathra Marathon. Charm Bracelet Trail Events confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the Blencathra Marathon?

Overall time limits — Marathon: 12h.

What is at the checkpoints on the Blencathra Marathon?

We don't hold a checkpoint list for the Blencathra Marathon. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Charm Bracelet Trail Events race information rather than turning up expecting food.

Can I download the Blencathra Marathon route?

Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.

When is the next Blencathra Marathon?

No date announced. When Charm Bracelet Trail Events confirm the next Blencathra Marathon, it appears here and on the race calendar.

Past runnings