The Lakes Grand Prix is the most prestigious fell running series in the Lake District — a season-long competition across the classic fells of Cumbria. Brennan Townshend has won the series outright. This is our guide to racing it, understanding it, and training for it.
The Lakes Grand Prix (LGP) is a fell running series run by the Fell Runners Association in partnership with local race organisers across the Lake District. It is not a single race but a series of individually-organised races — runners accumulate points across the season, with the best results counting. The overall winner takes the series title; category prizes recognise age group and gender performance. The series includes some of the most iconic fell races in Britain — from short, fast C-category blasts to full AL-category challenges like Borrowdale.
Points are awarded in each race based on finishing position within your category. Only your best N results count toward the overall standings (check the current year’s rules as this can vary). A runner who specialises in one category (e.g., AL or AM) and races consistently will score better than a runner who spreads their races across all categories. Women and men score separately; V40, V50, V60 categories have their own tables. The LGP overall standings are published regularly throughout the season on fellrunner.org.uk.
Pick a category and be consistent. AL runners (Borrowdale, Ennerdale, Wasdale) accumulate fewer race results but higher points per race. AS/AM runners can race more frequently and build a larger result set. Know which category suits your fitness and racing style before the season starts.
The LGP rewards consistency. A runner who races 8–10 times in their category and finishes top-10 each time will outscore a runner who wins two races and misses the rest of the series. Plan your calendar around the key races and treat the series as a season-long campaign, not a one-off.
Lake District fell racing rewards local knowledge — the fastest lines, the shortcuts, where others make mistakes on the descent. Recce the key races if you can. Even one recce visit to a summit changes your racing line significantly. Talk to other fell runners about what the descents are like before your first race.
You must be registered with an FRA-affiliated fell running club to race in LGP events. Most Lake District clubs — Keswick AC, Borrowdale Fell Runners, Ambleside AC, Dark Peak — are affiliated. Club vests are expected at most events. If you’re not yet a club member, joining your local FRA club is the first step.
The Lakes Grand Prix calendar changes slightly each year — always check the current year’s calendar at fellrunner.org.uk. Historically the series includes:
The LGP is competitive — the open category is raced hard by some of the best fell runners in the country. But the category and age group prizes are genuinely achievable for well-trained club runners. The key is specific fell fitness, not road speed.
LGP races are defined by climbing and descending. A training week that includes two quality hill sessions — one short and steep (hill reps), one long (a mountain run with 3,000–4,000ft ascent) — builds the specific fitness that transfers to race day. Don’t neglect the downhills; controlled fell descending is a skill that saves enormous time.
LGP races range from 30-minute sprints to 4-hour classics. You need to be able to race hard at both ends. Short, fast AS races benefit from track-quality sharpness; AL races need ultra-style endurance. If you’re targeting both, keep one speed session per week year-round and build your long run progressively through the season.
Road or trail shoes will cost you on Lake District terrain. A proper fell shoe — Inov-8 X-Talon, Walsh Fell, Salomon Speedcross at minimum — is essential on wet grass, scree and boggy moorland. Most serious LGP competitors run in Inov-8 X-Talon 212 or 190 depending on conditions. Have two pairs.
AL and AM category races require map and compass. Even if the route is well-marked, knowing the terrain gives you confidence to run faster and take better lines. OS 1:25,000 maps, a baseplate compass, and a few navigation days in the hills will pay back significantly on race day.
Brennan Townshend has won the Lakes Grand Prix outright. We build bespoke training plans and race calendars for LGP-targeted runners across all categories.
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