Sarah Perry sets women’s 13 Valleys Ultra record, finishing the race in under 30 hours
This year’s 13 Valleys Ultra proved to be a milestone event, with new records and record entries.
The full 13 Valleys Ultra route was completed for the first time, thanks to favourable weather conditions that allowed runners to experience the punishing High Street Fell standing at 828 metres, the highest point in the Lake District’s far eastern region. Last year, the event’s routes had to be shortened due to inclement weather conditions.
Sarah Perry (Steve James)
The star athlete of the weekend was Sarah Perry, who smashed the women’s course record by more than four hours, completing the gruelling course in just 29 hours and 24 minutes. In a story of perseverance, Ireland’s Lianne van Djik – the second female finisher – delivered a strong performance after recovering from a bike accident earlier this year. 2023’s first-place female finisher, Elaine Bisson, had to retire early in Ambleside.
In the men’s race, Caspian James delivered a commanding performance, crossing the finish line in 25 hours and 33 minutes. His technical ability on the tough terrain was evident and stated that “it was really rough underfoot, but the weather suited me – it was a really technical route”.
Caspian James (Joel Jameson)
The 2 Valleys (22km) race saw a thrilling performance from Emilia Platt. She was first in the women’s field and finished second overall, just 11 seconds behind the men’s winner Arron Larkin.
Platt is a member of the Alpine Run Project, founded by John McAvoy, who is a reformed criminal and Nike-sponsored athlete who aims to bring trail running to inner-city young athletes. Platt’s result is a powerful testament to its success.
Reflecting on the project, Platt said: “The initiative is all about bettering yourself as a person, and for me, I’ve gone through struggles and I’ve had confidence issues, this has pushed me to the next step and helped me take that leap to improve myself and become a better person.”
Participation in the event has reached new heights, with entries for the 5 Valleys race (55km) doubling from last year. This growth reflects the accessibility of ultra-running, with the 13 Valleys mission of encouraging runners to start with the shorter distance of 2 Valleys (22km) and progressively challenge themselves with longer distances. Many participants are now transitioning to the 55km race.
View this post on Instagram
Beyond the race, the event had a positive impact on the local community, raising over £5000 for the Lake District Foundation through race entries. The funds will go toward preserving and protecting the natural beauty of the Lake District, ensuring it remains a treasured landscape for future generations of runners and outdoor enthusiasts.
The 2025 event will take place on September 26-28.
There are three race distances: 13 Valleys (180km), 7 Valleys (110km), 5 Valleys (55km), while 2 Valleys (22km) takes place in Lake District National Park.
Find out more here.
» Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here
The post 13 Valleys Ultra women’s record broken by over four hours appeared first on AW.
