On Friday evening and Saturday morning, participants gathered in the usually quiet village of St Bees for the start of the SILVA Northern Traverse & Lakes Traverse as registration opened.

St Bees is well known for its sandy beach, dramatic cliffs and its status as the start of Wainwright’s iconic Coast to Coast route. However, today it played host to the start of two awesome ultra-challenges. The Northern Traverse follows the full Coast to Coast route, as competitors traverse the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors on their 300km journey east to Robin Hood’s Bay. The Lakes Traverse follows the same route and uses the same race infrastructure, but will just cover the first 100km of the Lake District National Park portion of the route to make for a shorter, albeit still incredibly challenging, adventure.

The registration hall in St Bees school was buzzing as participants lined up to get their race numbers and trackers. Many participants came in on the Park & Ride buses from Robin Hood’s Bay, so many people were already chatting to each other about their adventure ahead.

We talked to some of the participants at registration to find out how they were feeling about the races ahead.

“I’m feeling pretty confident to be honest,” said Mike Ashworth, who is signed up to the SILVA Lakes Traverse. He said: "Obviously, it’s a cracking race, and I think we’re pretty fortunate with the weather tomorrow. It’s looking pretty good... cold, but good.”

“I’m looking forward to just getting into the mountains to be honest. I’m a pretty competitive guy but I really just want to enjoy it.”

Holly Willis has also signed up to the Lakes Traverse, her second 100k after completing her first in October. She was feeling nervous but excited when we spoke to her in the queue at registration.

“I don’t know how much of it’s in the legs and how much is in the head. Whether my legs are there or not, we’ll see.”

She was looking forward to the route in particular. She said: “I think the conditions are going to be good. The whole course will be beautiful.”

This is the first time Lakes Traverse contestant Ann Marsham has done an event like this. “I’ve done multi-day events, but I haven’t done anything like this before. I’ve always wanted to.” She has found it hard to fit training in around work and children, but has been out for a recce, so knows the terrain.

There was also a lot of enthusiasm amongst the SILVA Northern Traverse participants.

“Bring it on!” said one such participant, James Thomas. After the race had been postponed for two years, he is particularly excited.  “I’m really looking forward to finally doing something fun again.”

Thomas did the Dragon’s Back Race in 2019. “After that I was like, what do you do next? I love the Lake District and my mum grew up in the North York Moors but I’ve never been. I don’t know it at all so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jackie Stretton is familiar with the Northern Traverse route, having completed it on a mountain bike. She is now looking forward to running the course. “It’s going to be an adventure,” she said. “The slower I take it the further I’ll get I think. I’m hoping it’s going to be slightly easier without having to take a bike the whole route too.”

Ultra-runner, Sophie Littlefair, is feeling excited and apprehensive. “I think it’s going to be colder than I initially thought.”

When asked what she was most looking forward to on the route, she didn't hesitate. “The food. It’s a real luxury isn’t it?” Sophie said, “the freedom to be this indulgent on three plus days outside, so I feel very lucky.” She did a multi-stage race last year, so this felt like the natural next step. “I really love a point to point, and when they’re coast to coast that’s even better.”

Lisa Watson is no stranger to big races, having won the Dragon’s Back Race® race in 2019. “I’m really excited about the race,” she said. “It’s quite different to lots of things I’ve done before, so I don’t know what it’s going to be like running through the night.

She said: “I’ll just start and see how it goes, and hopefully it all holds together.”

Lisa was keen to sign up to Northern Traverse to try something different to a stage race. “This is known territory, so an easy start to what non-stop races feel like, so I thought I’d give it a go.” With her impressive track record at the Dragon’s Back Race®, Lisa is definitely one to keep an eye on as participants battle the terrain and elements on their journey to Robin Hood’s Bay.

The Lakes Traverse started at 9:30am Saturday 2nd April, with 163 brave participants lining up on the start line. They were followed by the Northern Traverse at 10:30am an hour later, with 140 starters. It's going to be a really exciting adventure for participants and supporters alike. If you want to follow our participants on their incredible journey East, you can read this article here about how you can follow the adventure!