21/09/2026
Well done to the Milltown Milers who completed the Maverick X Trail Race in the Lake District. Read on for Pete N's report. You'll be tired just reading it!
Milltown Milers at Maverick Lakes X-Trail
In torrential rain, we made their way slowly up the M6 on Friday night for the annual Milltown Milers weekend away in the Lake District. Four Milers who were due to join them had been taken out of action by injury and illness in the preceding weeks, so it was up to Jo, Donna, Peter and I (Pete) to fly the blue and white flag in the mountains. The chosen event was the Maverick Lakes X-Trail, with Jo, Pete and Peter enrolled on the 25k route, and Donna tackling the 14k route, both out of Grasmere.
Forecasts were for fog, so it was a pleasant surprise to wake to good weather. Overcast, but some spots of blue gave us hope for views across the valley. When we arrived at race HQ for registration, the MC announced that the Ultra and Marathon races had been downgraded to the 25km route due to high winds. They would still set off at 8:00 as planned, but would be part of the 25k race. This now expanded the field to over 400 runners, alongside those of us setting off an hour later at 9:00.
The call came to make our way to the start line, and with the route loaded on watches and phones, our vests stuffed with gels and jackets, we set off up the first climb. Coming out of Grasmere Showground, we weaved through the village streets before making our way off road and through the first river crossing of sorts, created by the previous night’s rain. The path on the first few kms was largely runnable, as it snaked upwards, but once we passed Easedale Tarn, the gradient turned sharp for the final kilometre and the path disappeared, as we kept looking out for the blue flags that marked our way. Hand on rock, it became a scramble for sections, and the runner behind me became the runner in front, as I slowed considerably.
The wind whipped over the top of the climb, and I made my first mistake in following my competitor down the wrong path. My watch soon let me know, and I steered us both back on course. The first part of the descent was an easy gradient, and despite the fatigue in my legs from the climb, it was fun to let go, and glide down for a while. It didn't last long. We crossed the river beneath a waterfall, and it became a highly technical descent with sharp rocks and more down scrambling ahead of us. The parts that were more like a stone path were still difficult to find any rhythm on, because they were set unevenly and quite deep. It took a lot of energy and concentration to focus on each step, as I imagined the serious consequences of making a mistake.
The first outpost was at the bottom of the climb where I filled my bottles quickly and set off along the rolling/flat path ahead of us. This lasted for around 8km, and was a chance to reset and recover a little after the tricky descent.
I passed a lot of the 8:00 starters, but had no sense of how many runners from the 9:00 start we're up the road. It became something of a time trial with no one in sight.
After my third gel, I started to feel queasy, and it was difficult to take any more nutrition on. I sipped on my water a little but my gut training had clearly not been sufficient.
Once I made it to the climb up Loughrigg Fell, I joined a large queue of competitors trudging wearily up what must have been a 25-30% gradient. I swung my arms to find a rhythm, others had hands on thighs, while I envied those with insight enough to bring poles. I managed a few words of shared suffering with those around me, and then, turning on one switchback, managed to look up and out at the majesty behind; tumbling fells of rich green, and a bright blue sky breaking out over them. It was glorious, and cut through the discomfort and competitive zeal we were all consumed by, if only for a brief moment.
Over the top, my stomach jumped a little as I recalibrated for the final descent into Grasmere which, gladly, was the most runnable section of the course, and I put everything I had left into it to finish 2nd in my age category. I crossed the line happy, exhausted, relieved.
I was met by Donna who had finished the 14k route 4th in her age category. I soon cooled down, and got some food and warm clothes in time to see Jo finish a minute or two ahead of Peter. Both had successful runs, and although Peter was slowed towards the end by cramps, he still won his age category. Jo finished second in her age category, and regaled us with tales of her fellow competitors laughing, screaming and falling all over the fells.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the route, and the race. It was a lot more technical that I had prepared for, though all the better for it. It's hard to complain after running for hours in the Lake District. There aren't many better things to do in life.
