Race news: Skyrunning UK announce several key changes that will be implemented in 2016
Prize Money
All Skyrunning UK races in 2016 will have a minimum prize purse of £500 awarded as £125, £75 and £50 for first, second and third male and female.
UK Series
The Skyrunning UK Series will be implemented in 2016 and at the end of the year a male and female champion will be crowned. Points are awarded as outlined HERE. To qualify for the series, runners must participate and finish in a minimum of 4-races. Points are accumulated and the male and the female with the most points are the Skyrunning UK 2016 Series Campions. It is possible to run all Skyrunning UK races and use your best 4 performances for the ranking.
UK Series Prizes
In addition to prize money awarded at each race, the male and female 2016 Skyrunning UK Champions will receive:
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Free entry into all Skyrunning UK races in the following year.
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Guaranteed entry into a 2017 Skyrunner World Series event with 2-nights accommodation.
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Prizes from Skyrunning UK sponsor, Raidlight
Needless to say, Skyrunning UK is booming! Less Cloud, More Sky.
Skyrunning UK - 2016 Calendar
V3K Ultra Skyrunning - June 18th
Distance/ascent: 55km, 4,000m
Main mountains and terrain type: The 15 highest mountains in Wales, Snowdon massive (including Crib Goch), Glyderau (inluding Tryfan) and Carneddau expect gnarly ground, a knife edged arete, grade 1 scrambles, boulder fields, scree and some great gentle grassy slopes to finish
The
V3K crosses the best of Wales - gnarly edges, rocky inclines and grassy slopes. food. You’ll need to be mountain savvy with a good head for heights, confident scrambling technical terrain and be prepared for the greatest mountain day of your life. Race entry
HERE
Lakes Sky Ultra - July TBC*
Distance/ascent: 54km/4300m
Main mountains and terrain type: Fairfield, Helvellyn, Swirral, Casty Cam & Striding Edge, Pinnacle Ridge, High Street and Red Screes. Its a mixture of single track trails, technical rocky ground and open fell. This is a race of 2 halves, with very technical running & graded rock scrambling in the 1st half, then faster and easier running on good trails for the second half. The course ascends and descends some of the most classic ridge lines taking in 3 of the most iconic scrambles in the Lakes. The course is fast & furious. Be lulled into the race by ascending Fairfield via Dove Crag,then punished by Helvellyn’s Edges and the ascent to Pinnacle Ridge. Luckily there’s Patterdale CP & the second half to recover if your legs can still take it!
Note - New LSU propose a new addition for 2016. A SKY race. More news to follow via Skyrunning UK.
Race entry HERE*
Peak SkyRace - August 6th (tbc)*
Distance/ascent: 47km/ 2000m+.
Main mountains and terrain type: The route is based on a local fell running challenge called the 5 Trigs. The race principally follows public footpaths passing close to or over the tops of Axe Edge, Roaches, Shuttlingsloe, Shinning Tor and Burbedge Edge. Competitors will cross fields, moorland, limestone and millstone grit peaks/escarpments.
Peak SkyRace is an ideal introduction to Skyrunning in the UK. The Peak District cannot compete with the altitude and ruggedness of the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Scottish Highlands. However do not think that this course will be easy, pacing is crucial. Go out too fast and you will pay the price in the later stages where most of the ascent and technical descent is found.
Race entry HERE * Entries will open when land permissions have been granted
Glen Coe Skyline - September 16th, 17th and 18th
Distance/ascent: 53km / 4200m+
Main mountains and terrain type: Buachaille Etive Mor, Bidean nam Bian, Aonach Eagach Ridge: extremly remote and serious Scottish mountains. A route that dances along the jagged and lofty mountainous horizons above Scotland’s most famous Glen and Pass, with long and serious sections of grade III scrambling. Skills needed: scrambling, endurance, running Note - New additions for 2016
There will be a VK Friday evening 16th September and a 25km 'Ring of Steall' SkyRace race on the Saturday 17th (same high mountainous terrain at Glen Coe Skyline but without the technical scrambling sections).
Race entry HERE
3x3000 80k Ultra - September 24th
Distance/ascent: 80km / 4101m+
Main mountains and terrain type: Scafell Pike - Steep rocky terrain throughout. The summit plateau of Scafell Pike is a vast boulder field. Initial part of descent is steep & covered with loose rocks.
Helvellyn - Long ascent then rolling mountain trails along the beautiful Helvellyn ridge line. Skiddaw - A long & steep climb on grassy terrain, summit scree/slate, fast descent on gravel/stone trails. A unique ultra running event linking the Lake District's highest mountains-Scafell Pike, Helvellyn & Skiddaw. Designed by 2013 World Trail Running Champion Ricky Lightfoot, the route offers a journey through the full spectrum of classic Lake District fell terrain.
Race entry HERE
Garmin Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race - October 22nd
Distance/ascent: 35km/ 3370m+
Main mountains and terrain type: The course covers the highest peaks in the Mourne Mountains, including Slieve Donard (850m), starting at sea-level on Newcastle Promenade and winding it’s way uphill onto forest and mountain trails, all surrounded by the most stunning scenery.
The seaside start, alongside the relentlessly tough (yet spectacular) course has proved popular with athletes. You will need mountain-trail experience, endurance and courage for the race, which is technical in places. Some speed will also help on the flat and fast sections, and the final 5k descent!
Race entry HERE* Please note entries will open on St Patricks Day (March) 2016.
For more information, please visit: skyrunninguk.com
