Introduction to Skyrunning | Great Langdale - The Hayloft | 23 to 25 April 2021 | Price £275

Ready to take the step up from trailrunning to skyrunning? The Introduction to Skyrunning training weekend will equip you with the skills and confidence you’ll need to take on non-graded scrambling and run on technical mountain terrain. This is an immersive weekend of skills training and mountain-craft: expect full days; extreme running; exposed single track; great company; and a smile from ear to ear. You will learn to:

• Run over rough and unstable ground.
• Run technical single tracks, and become familiar with exposed ground, gaining an understanding how one wrong foot placement, a trip or slip from such ground could cause you serious injury.
• Run down scree slopes and gullies that are severe in nature.
• Scramble over open rock.
• Climb/ascend steep ground.

The course will give you a stable grounding for the Scafell Sky Race or another equivalent race. But, remember, once the course is over your training has only just begun: we expect you to go back out and practice - then go out again and practice some more!

The Introduction to Skyrunning weekend is ideal for anyone who wants to build their running and scrambling skills or to prepare for serious mountain races such as Keswick Mountain Festival 50km Ultra, Lakes Sky Ultra, Salomon Ring of Steall, Mourne Skyline MTR or Tromso. There are limitations – we can’t cure your fear of heights or get rid of vertigo – but we can help you to build confidence and experience in a controlled environment and in the safety of a small group.

If you feel you need more of a 'hands on rock' expereince then why not join our Advanced Skyrunning Weekend, which may be more appropriate to your needs.

Need to know more? For more details please contact enquiries@mountainrun.co.uk.

• Accommodation on Friday and Saturday night
• Friday night social run
• Friday & Saturday evening meal
• Saturday & Sunday morning breakfast
• Two full days of guided running and instruction on the Scafell Sky Race Course

N.b. The programme below is indicative of the typical course content, but may be subject to change:

Arrival: Friday 23 April 2021

18:00: Arrive

18:30: [Optional] - A nice easy grade 10k around the valley to work up an appetite.

20:00: Dinner in The National Trust's Stickle Barn – followed by drinks, mountain chat and tall tales at the bar if the mood takes us there …

Day 1: Saturday 24 April 2021

07:00: Session 1 - Yoga for running form and flexibility for Sky and Mountain runners with Inspired Life Yoga - Session delivered by Shelley Barlow

08:30: Breakfast at The National Trust's Stickle Barn

09:30 – 11:30: Session 2 - Navigation re-fresher for self-rescue on a sky race with Charlie

11:30 to 12:00: Quick bite to eat in theThe National Trust's Stickle Barn, packed lunch supplied.

12:15 to 16:45: Session 3 -Sky Skills training on the fell. Please note that due to the nature of this session, warm clothing will be required – single-layer running clothes are not suitable.

We will cover:

• Confidence on rough ground
• Safety on steep ground
• Navigation for runners (basic) geared around ability to self-rescue and navigate off the course by non-marked routes
• Uphill & Downhill running techniques
• Appropriate spare/emergency clothing
• Course markings
• Sound Mountain Judgement, what this means and how to apply it.

17:00 – 18:00: Session 4 - Review of the Day, including:

• Mountain Running Kit selection
• Training
• Nutrition
• Q&A

19:30 'til late: Dinner in The National Trust's Stickle Barn – followed by drinks, mountain chat and tall tales at the bar if the mood takes us there …

Day 2: Sunday 25 April 2021

07:00: Session 5: Yoga - Strength and Conditioning for Sky and Mountain Running with Inspired Life Yoga - Session lead by Shelley Barlow

08:30: Breakfast at The National Trust's Stickle Barn - perfect set to your day ahead

08:45 – 15:30 (approx.) Session 6:Guided run and sky scramble with Mountain Run, likely to include:

• Run to the summit of Bowfell (or further into the Scafell Massif, depending on group ability/dynamics)
• Descent off Bowfell and down the Great Slab Gully
• Race route along the 'Climbers Traverse' under Cambridge Crags
• Descent off the Band
• Ascent onto Harrison Stickle with some very easy grade scrambling on route
• Chance to ascend 'Jacks Rake' depending on group dynamics and time available (note: this is not part of the Scafell Sky Race race route)
• Return to base - Please note the precise route and distance of the guided run and scramble will be dictated by the fitness of the group and speed of travel.

16:00: Finish, debrief of the weekend and depart

Extra bookings available, see below:

Please note: You can book an extra night with us at the Great Langdale Bunkhouse, this will be an extra supplement of £45 and will include - Meal at the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub, B&B at the Great Langdale Bunkhouse

Monday Guided Sky-run: You can book an extra half day's skyrun with us on the Monday after the course has been delivered. This will either be around the Coniston Fells (most likely) or if transport options don't allow we will use a new route around the Great Langdale valley. .

The cost of the 'guided sky-run' is £40 per person and is available as an 'add-on' at the point of booking.