Ultra Running Ltd MTC Spring Heeled Jack

The course

What you’re in for

Shap to Lancaster, 38 miles over Shap Fell and down through Kendal into Lancashire, on day two of the England end to end. Shap to Lancaster: 60.6km and 404m of climb, with six checkpoints on the way. It is day 2 of the England end to end, and you can run it on its own or as part of the whole. The high point comes early over the fell; after Kendal it is rolling country all the way to the Lune. Mount to Coast rules apply on the single day as on the series: preset cut-offs based on a minimum 4 mph average, a warning the first time you fall below it, and no one on the course after ten at night. Checkpoints roughly every eight miles, a tracker with an SOS button, and maps and GPX for entrants only — bring a map case.

Terrain and trail

The organiser supplies road shoes for the series, which tells you most of what you need to know about the ground: quiet road, cycle path and the odd stretch of towpath or track, almost all of it hard-surfaced. The difficulty is the distance and the day after, not the terrain.

Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of The Kings Arms Hotel, CA10 3NU, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

EXPERT

Tour de Helvellyn

58.6km · 2,129m climb · Loop · 10km away

A genuine ultra-distance day that shows you the Helvellyn range from every angle without ever queuing for Striding Edge - based on the established Tour de Helvellyn race route.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Kentmere Horseshoe

20.3km · 1,108m climb · Loop · 15km away

High-level ridge running with minimal descent until the end. The views across Kentmere Reservoir and to the surrounding fells are some of the best in the eastern Lakes.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Kentmere Valley Circuit

17.7km · 756m climb · Loop · 15km away

Kentmere is one of the few Lakeland valleys with no through road and no crowds, so you get big fell scenery and quiet lanes a short run from Staveley's cafes.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge from Patterdale

12.7km · 824m climb · Loop · 18km away

This is the postcard round of Helvellyn: up the knife-edge of Striding Edge, across the 950m summit, and down Swirral with Red Tarn below the whole way.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Helvellyn Range and St Sunday Crag from Glenridding

20.6km · 1,300m climb · Loop · 18km away

Seven summits of the Eastern Fells in one continuous high-level horseshoe, finishing over St Sunday Crag with Ullswater filling the view ahead.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Sallows and Sour Howes from Staveley

19.3km · 480m climb · Loop · 19km away

These two fells sit between Kentmere and Troutbeck without belonging to either valley's usual round, so you get proper Lakeland ridge running with almost nobody else on it.

Checked Jul 2026

All Westmorland and Furness routes →

How to enter

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Common questions

How far is the MTC Spring Heeled Jack?

The MTC Spring Heeled Jack is one distance: 37.7 Mile (60.7 km).

How much climbing is in the MTC Spring Heeled Jack?

The 37.7 Mile has 404 m of ascent.

How hard is the MTC Spring Heeled Jack?

37.7 Mile: Expert. TRP grades come from distance and climb measured off the course file, not from the organiser.

Is the MTC Spring Heeled Jack course marked?

No. The MTC Spring Heeled Jack is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What kit do I need for the MTC Spring Heeled Jack?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the MTC Spring Heeled Jack. Ultra Running Ltd confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the MTC Spring Heeled Jack?

Overall time limits — 37.7 Mile: 6h 55m. Also England day 2 of the Mount to Coast end to end challenge.

What is at the checkpoints on the MTC Spring Heeled Jack?

We don't hold a checkpoint list for the MTC Spring Heeled Jack. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Ultra Running Ltd race information rather than turning up expecting food.

Can I download the MTC Spring Heeled Jack 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 MTC Spring Heeled Jack?

Tue, 11 Jul 2028. Not open yet.