UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE:
The path from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay passes through some of the finest countryside in Britain. Much of the 192 miles / 309km consist of trails and footpaths more challenging than you may give credit. The path through the Lake District offers a number of steep climbs before entering a more forgiving landscape towards Kirkby Stephen (almost halfway). After Kirkby Stephen the path climbs to the Nine Standard’s rig which takes you over the water shed, from Cumbria into Yorkshire and magnificent Swaledale leading to Richmond. From Richmond you cross the Yorkshire Wold to the North Yorkshire Moors and ultimately to Robin Hood’s Bay and journey’s end.
PACING:
This is a journey to be enjoyed soaking up the constantly changing scenery, and the culture of the folk that live along the way. The pace at which you take on the challenge is a question for each individual. We encourage you to run at whatever pace you feel comfortable at, as there is NO PRESSURE to maintain any particular pace, fast or slow!
Our guide/s will work around your pacing. For larger groups we will allow runners who are confident to set off at a faster pace on their own if they so desire, however we ask that all runners have as minimum on them a mobile phone (that is able to make calls, so on international roaming if international runners), and a copy of topographical map for that day’s route. If you don’t have one, please arrange a photo copy with your guide the day prior and try to have access to and know how to read our digital maps and/or a GPX file uploaded onto a navigation device be that your watch of phone, using any number of navigational apps. Please speak to your guide if you need more advice on this.
Gallery
About The Host
BACKSTORY: I was sweating it out in a hot river-rock spa bath in a luxury adventure lodge in Bhutan (on the assignment of course - it worked goddam it!). Having pre-ordered my four-course meal matched to European wines, and admiring the huge Paro Valley view in front of me, I reached for my ginger lemon tea. It was just before the masseuse tapped quietly on the door to indicate I should move to the table for a half-hour treatment. But not before I rang the bell to indicate the attendant in the room next door should slide another steaming, fire-heated rock down the shoot into the spa. My water was losing its stinging hot edge.
I was a little beaten up from a day trail running up to Tigers' Nest Monastery and mountain biking down from another, when it, the Revelation, came. The pangs of guilt elicited by such indulgence were not necessary. Indeed they were fruitless and obscured the truth: that you CAN mix luxury with adventure. In fact, the two complement each other, magnifying the joys of their opponents in a necessary and delightful Ying-Yang relationship.
As a longstanding journalist in the adventure media, and editor of the southern hemisphere trail running title, Trail Run Mag, my worldview had been slightly warped and imprinted with the lie that adventure requires, nee demands, deprivation. Hurt. Pain. The leering threat of death. I mean, where was the story, otherwise?
"Luxury" was what the "other" travelers did. The ones who weren't really experiencing the gristle of life. Yep, in my blinkered adventure-type life, luxury was the antithesis of experience. But I was so very, very wrong and an encroaching fortieth birthday opened up my mind to possibility: luxury without adventure may be dull, worthless, empty fun; but bookend onto adventure some sumptuous luxe - or at the very least a damn fine Shiraz, or perhaps Syrah if trail running in France – and you have an exquisite marriage that may just last into your octogenarian years.
And so the seed was sown. The result is our primo collection of adventure running experiences - tours and events - that is like no other. I make no apologies for the extravagant, whimsical, and wonderful nature of these dreams.
The team at the host looks forward to sharing them with you.
- Chris
Itinerary
Location
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
How fit do you have to be to come on a run tour?
Well, you need to be able to run at least some! But our runs are NOT races. So you never ‘red line’ like you do in a race or event. Most of the time you are cruising at 60-70% of what you would if under the pump of a competitive environment. We encourage you to stop as often as you like, take as many photos as you can, eat en route, enjoy the views! Therefore, our approach is about everyone moving at a pace that they enjoy. And yes, you get to walk when you need to and run just whenever you can.
As a guide, given most of our tours have days ranging from 10km through to full marathons, we suggest that you should be able to run in training – at a slow pace – a half marathon one day and back up with a half marathon the next. If you can do that, pretty much we’ll get you through any of our tours.
You should of course be in general good health and be moderately fit in order to undertake 4-10 days of consecutive running. Training and preparation are recommended prior to your trip – even if just for the sake of you will enjoy the running holiday way more with some conditioning in the legs and lungs.
Again, you don’t have to be super fit or a pointy front of pack runner. We’ve had everyone from 14 year-olds through to 70 year olds (in the high altitude Himalayas) on tour, and they have all had a blast in safety.
I’ve never run trails - do I need to have lots of trail experience?
NO! We welcome all skill levels from beginner to experienced, and indeed we pride ourselves in introducing the addictive nature of running in Mother Nature to those fresh off the bitumen! We can teach you skills and tips and tricks to off road running that will make you a more than competent trail runner by tour’s end, and again, there is never any pressure to keep up with more experienced trail runners on tour. You do you at your pace. And our guides will always be there to assist and encourage confidence in the wilderness.
What kind of training do you expect guests to undertake before coming on tour?
As mentioned, we believe if you can do a slow 21km one day, and back up with another 15-21km the next, you can do ANY of our tours. We do suggest regular running for the 3 months prior to the tour – if only because that conditioning will make your experience so much more enjoyable, and you will get better value for your money.
We won’t suggest specific training plans here, as they are different for every individual, but we can after discussing your context, suggest plans and/or we have a network of awesome coaches who can devise specific training plans to you and the tour should you wish.
Can I walk some?
Absolutely. Walking is part of trail running. Even the best of the best (Hi Kilian), walk on trail at some point. Especially when the going gets steep! As one of our regular and best clients, Rob, says: Run when you can, walk when you have to. No dramas.
What if I don’t want to run on a particular day or section – are there flexibilities in terms of judging daily what I can/want to run or not?
In general, yes, although it depends on the tour logistics. For instance, in England, you are never really that far from a village, and so we can organise a taxi if mid route (your cost), or if you want to skip a day or two for a rest, we can arrange for you to go on the luggage bus (no charge). However in the Himalayas of Bhutan, there are no taxis or luggage buses. So, it’d be a rather uncomfortable day on a bony mule’s back! Better to just take your time for the day and walk! All tours are different, but we do make it possible where possible to skip a section or day on trail. Again, no guilt – go and enjoy the next village or camp. Just remember to cheer the runners in at the end of the day. Maybe shout a pint?
Should I get any special insurance?
YES. Travel insurance that covers activities in the wilderness, and if we are going to altitude (above 3000m) check that your insurance covers evacuation including heli. We urge travel cancellation insurance taken out prior to the trip, also, should you need to cancel your trip for reasons on your end.
Also, we recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, and make sure it covers cancellation - so if you get injured and can’t come on the trip, you will be fully covered.
Your tours seem pricey, why is that?
We like to do things properly. We like good food. The odd wine. Good accommodation. And a bit of indulgence. We cut no corners. And we deliver exceptional experiences in exotic locales. We also like safety. The magic sauce in some of that is that these things cost. But we guarantee that you’ll be impressed. You get what you pay for and all that…
Do I need to book my own flights?
Yes, Tour de Trails does not book flights. You will be required to make your own travel arrangements to the meeting point of each tour. We can advise best flight routes and our experience with airlines. One exception to this is our Bhutan tour. Guests need to make their own arrangements for flights to a ‘gateway city’ (usually Bangkok), however our in-country partner is required to make the bookings on Bhutan national airlines from the gateway cities onward (and return to gateway cities). This is charged as extra to the stated tour prices.
How far do you run each day?
As every tour and every day on tour is different, this can vary greatly from 10km through to 42km! Our tours tend to straddle the line between achievable by most and pushing for a little challenge. Hence most days on average are targeted at 15-25km.
How many guests are in the group usually?
Each tour is usually between 8-14 guests, depending on accommodation, transport and logistical options available. Your tour will always be hosted by at least two experienced guides.