For 2026 Black Combe is the second race in the English championships as well as the first in the Pete Bland / Inov8 Lakes Grand Prix. It's going to be a big day but you still get a pie, and perhaps even a cup of tea. Sorry, no tea. Entries will open on 16 January, with the usual champs phases: guaranteed list, FRA members, general public.

This means no entry on the day and, sorry, the championship requirements make the race more expensive. Usually it's £8 but this year £16. There will be a discount for local runners (Millom to Eskdale, roughly).

Parking is in the pylon field where we used to start the race. Parking will cost £5 per car (sorry!) but you can also park for free on the beach road at the far side of Silecroft, if you don't mind being further way.

Registration is in the usual finish field from 9:30am and the start is at 12 noon right next to registration. You will run a length of the finish field before heading up the fell, to make up the missing distance and spread you all out before the gate.

Kit requirements

These are strict and will be checked: map suitable for navigating the route, compass, whistle, full waterproof body cover, hat, gloves, food. You will need your kit and you might like to have your compass out too.

Sheep on the fell

The race happens just before lambing time and there are going to be pregnant sheep on the fell. That means no dogs in the race, and please try not to spook the sheep.

Route

See right. The start is now in the upper field where we finish the race, with a length of the field to make up the old distance (and amount of mud). That part and the route to the gate are flagged over private land so don't recce that bit. You can park at Whicham Church and go up the side road to the fell gate.

Anyone seen climbing a wall or fence will be disqualified and is also going the wrong way. If you find yourself following a fence or stream, or there is a large body of water on your left as you go downhill, you are heading towards Bootle.

Hazards

Snow and ice are likely and the terrain is rough in places.
Beware of the crags due east of the first summit.
There's not much of the fodder rack left at checkpoint 4, but there should be a marshal there and you do have to dib.
Don't cut the corner off White Combe as it gets cliffy.
The descent to the stream junction checkpoint is often loose and lumpy.
The second climb is a lot longer than the first.
The south summit cairn, though huge, is invisible until you are close to it. In clag it can be hard to find.
There has been a landslip on the descent where you come off tabletop, the plateau behind Sea Ness.
Storms come in off the sea with no warning. Full waterproof body cover is always required and very often worn.
Never assume that someone in a Black Combe vest is going the right way.

The race will not be cancelled for conditions on the fell unless it becomes impossible to marshal, so be ready for ice and snow. The only likely grounds for cancellation are if snow blocks the road to Silecroft, which has happened once or twice. In that case we'll post a notice here and on facebook, and entries will roll over to next year.

Prizes

As well as the usual there are prizes for the best descenders (from the south summit to the finish) and a bounty on Ian Holmes's 29-year-old course record.

The value of prizes depends on the number of entries but generally we try to keep the race cheap and the pies edible. Generous sponsorship from Pete Bland Sports is passed through as prizes, which helps a lot. We also have some nice new category prizes from 2026 onwards.

As well as the Grand Prix, this is also the first race in the Bob Grieve trophy series. The trophies are awarded each year to the man and woman with the lowest combined times for Black Combe, Caw, Dunnerdale and Kirkby Moor.

Cutoffs

There are cutoffs at two checkpoints: 75 minutes at the top of the Combe (cp 2) and 120 minutes at the stream junction (cp 5), from where you can take the low path or get a lift back to Silecroft. The cutoffs are to protect the marshals (and you) in case of bad weather.