A joint finish as records broken at the SILVA Lakes Traverse
Mark Darbyshire and Gavin Dale took the win together today at the SILVA Lakes Traverse, with Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn taking the win in the women’s field.
It was a nail-biting finale to the SILVA Lakes Traverse this evening, as friends Mark Darbyshire and Gavin Dale crossed the finish line together, having spent the best part of 100km battling it out over the rough terrain and spectacular scenery of the Lake District.
In a time of 9 hours, 47 minutes, the pair broke Daniel Weller’s previous record by over an hour.
Birmingham runner, Mark Darbyshire, is well-known on the ultra circuit as the course record holder for both the prestigious Lakeland 100 and the Arc of Attrition. Gavin Dale is also no stranger to the Arc of Attrition, having won the most recent edition, so it always looked to be a close race between the two.
The pair still looked strong as they sprinted to the finish line in Shap, having conquered 100km of challenging trails across the entire Lake District.
Gavin and Mark came sprinting into the finish together ©No Limits Photography
Gavin said, “It was a fab day though and we had a bit of everything - a bit of sun, a bit of rain, some cloud. It was just fab, really fun course.”
Gavin and Mark decided to finish together about 4-5 miles before the end. “By that point we'd done all of it together. There wasn't a feeling of one holding the other back. We both pushed, we worked together on it. At that point, when we've done so much of it together, it just felt right to end it together. I don’t think either of us had a lot left there.”
Mark echoed Gavin’s sentiments, saying “We just matched our paces early on. I couldn't have gone any faster. I pushed as hard as I could. It felt natural. It's nice running with someone - time goes quicker. I don't think I'd have run it that quickly if we hadn’t stayed together.”
Relative newcomer Lewis Byram came in third. He managed to hang onto the front pair for a while, but eventually Gavin and Mark dropped him over halfway through. It was still an impressive performance though, with him still coming ahead of last year’s record. He looked like he had given it his all when he came into the finish line.
Lewis had an incredible race ©No Limits Photography
Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn was the first woman in the race after dominating the women’s field and coming in fifth place overall with an impressive time of 11 hours and 55 minutes.
Katie is well-known in the world of ultra-running. A GB mountain runner, she has more wins to her name than one can keep track of, and is the record holder for the Lakeland 50. She has a history with the Lakes Traverse, as last year she was not only first woman, but she came very close to winning outright, just pipped to the finish by Daniel Weller.
She was a bit outside her own record today, but still had a phenomenal race. She said, “I love that route. It's fast becoming my favourite, the Lakeland 50 was always my favourite but it's really satisfying going from the coast. Just going across the Lake District – the whole thing.”
She found it tougher than last year though. “Last year it felt just easy but I'm quite tired mentally and I've been busy at work and I think when you're tired mentally it makes you tired, but not a disaster.”
Katie tries not to get overly caught up in the competition, preferring to focus on her race. “You can't control what anyone else is doing,” she said. “I'm always running as fast as I can go at that point.”
In second place was Victoria Morris, who was third lady at the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race. She has had a consistently strong race throughout.
Finishers are still coming in, but Libbi McGibbon, whose recent successes include coming 2nd in the Beacons Way 100 Mile Race, looks poised to take third place.
Katie had another brilliant run ©No Limits Photography
Rosthwaite was a hive of activity
The first support point today along the route for both races was in Rosthwaite. Nestled in the stunning Borrowdale valley, this was a welcome stop for runners looking to refuel after a steeper climb up to Honister and a long descent. On offer there was a huge selection of treats, including a hearty vegetable soup, fruit, cake, sandwiches, pizza, sausage rolls and pick n mix.
We caught up with a few of the participants as they passed through.
Nea Sneddon-Jenkins had a smile on her face as she cruised into the checkpoint. She said, “So far it's been absolutely incredible. It's mostly been really sunny except across the top of the first climb it got a bit wet so I'm wearing my raincoat. I didn't want to stop to take it off so now I'm a tad warm.”
Nea flies along the Ennerdale trails ©No Limits Photography
James Potter was also feeling strong. He said, “It's getting better and better the scenery. I was tempted into the Northern Traverse and thought I'd try this first, see what's left in my legs when I get there tonight, then there's always next year!”
SILVA ambassador, Flora Beverley was looking incredibly strong as she came running into the support point. She was having such a good race she missed her supporters who were meant to meet her. She said, “I was literally an hour earlier at Borrowdale than I said I'd be. I probably mis-paced it.”
“It's good fun – so beautiful. It’s been gorgeous and we’ve been generally lucky with the weather.”
From the Northern Traverse, Lee Parker was the first through the checkpoint and looked very focused on the goal ahead.
Second through was James Nobles, who we caught up with. He said, “It's going really well. I’m just enjoying it. There was at least five of us running in a pack until the first major climb, and then we all broke up a little. It's just trying to get used to going a bit slower. Lee is in front somewhere and I've let him go, so I'm just trying to go at a very slow pace.
James Nobles has been looking strong ©No Limits Photography
His plan is to not sleep until he gets to the finish. He said, “I've never run through two nights before so we'll see, but if I can go the whole way I will.”
Lizzie Faithfull-Davies was the first woman through the checkpoint. She is well-versed in the continuous race format, having come third in the Spine Race in 2022 and looked incredibly strong.
She said, “I’m just trying to take it steady and enjoy being in such a beautiful place. I love the Lake District. I watched some friends doing it previously so I thought this would be good!”
It will be a long night for some runners
We are expecting finishers into Shap right through the night and into Sunday. While no one can deny that it is an impressive feat of the winners to complete such a challenging course in such speed, it is no less an achievement for the mid pack and back of pack finishers, who will not only have to endure significantly more time on feet, but will also have the added challenge of journeying through the night-time.
It was a stunning day in the Lakes ©No Limits Photography
Meanwhile, the Northern Traverse finishers continue their journey
Meanwhile, the SILVA Northern Traverse finishers continue with their journey.
Lee Parker was first to Shap, having spent much of the day running in a pack with James Nobles (2022 Dragon’s Back Race winner), Robert Barnes (2021 Cape Wrath Ultra winner), Paul Tierney (former Wainwright’s record holder), Robin Carter (7th place Northern Traverse 2022) and Richard Lazenby (2022 Dragon’s Back Race finisher).
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Lizzie Faithfull-Davies is in the lead and is looking on good form.
However, Emily Mills (Chester 100 mile winner), Nikki Sommers (4th at the 2022 Dragon’s Back Race) and Alison Walker (Race Across Scotland 2022 winner) are not too far behind at all.
In both the women’s and men’s races, it seems runners are banding together to tackle the challenge, as embodied by Gavin and Mark’s impressive finish. Watching the camaraderie that is already developing is wonderful!
However, as the runners head into their first night it will be interesting to see how they fare once the fatigue really starts setting in.
Paul Tierney is running near the front of the pack ©No Limits Photography
Follow the Race
You can track our incredible participants via the live GPS tracking. There will also be regular updates to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Results for the Lakes Traverse are also now live!
Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn dominates the women’s field ©No Limits Photography
Feeling inspired?
Feeling inspired for your own adventure?
Entries are open NOW for the 2024 SILVA Lakes Traverse and Northern Traverse - join us next year on the start line in St Bees!
