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Blisco Dash

Saturday 27th July 2024 

British and English Championship Race

Women start 1pm, Men start 2.45pm

2023 results here

Race details

The Blisco Dash is usually an informal, low-key Wednesday evening summer race with a £1 entry fee and featuring a Selwyn Wright prizegiving where prizes consist of miniscule bottles of cheap French beer and, as a general rule, the slower the runner – the more beer they receive!

This year, however, the race has ‘hit the big time’ with a prime time Saturday slot as the final English counter and the British Short Champs one-off race. Separate mens’ and womens’ races and large fields should make for a great day of racing and spectating.

As an up and down route, the race is pure perfection. Matterhorn-like, Pike of Blisco rears up from the Langdale valley like a challenge, asking: How fast can you climb it and return? 

The race route begins on the road which starts flat and fast, then slowly rises towards Blea Tarn. As the steep switchbacks are gained, the route breaks off right on to the rough path up the side of Redacre Gill. This pitched path steepens towards the top of the Gill which is crossed and the summit comes in to view and here the gradient briefly eases. The final part of the climb to gain the ‘crown’ of the mountain requires scrambling and some route choice. An exposed, rocky summit is tagged before the complexities of the descent are tackled.

As with all the best races, the optimum line is in dispute and on a claggy day is frought with navigational peril. Whichever line is taken, the aim is to hit the top of Redacre Gill before taking the treacherous descent down the greasy pitched path at full tilt. Emerging onto the tarmac gives a punishing extended sprint for the line.

Once the race is done, tales can be shared over a pint or two in one of the greatest pubs in Lakeland – the Old Dungeon Ghyll.

Details

AS 8km/5m   650m/2133ft

from Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Great Langdale, Ambleside  GR 286061

Navigational skills required and local knowledge could be an advantage.

Please note that the FRA do not allow the use of certain GPS functions for navigation in their races.

Entry information

Enter on SI entries from 1st May 2024. Cost tbc – likely £8-10

Contact 

Dan Duxbury

142 Windermere Road, Kendal

danmunro2014@gmail.com

01539728249

Records

Male: J. Maitland – 00:36:01 – 1987

Female: Hannah Horsburgh – 00:44:34 – 2018

blisco pic 1984A classic photo from 1984 – tight shorts, string vests and fast times!

Results

2023 136 runners

2022  75 runners

2021  61 runners

2020  no race due to COVID

2019   82 runners

2018   92 Runners

2017  54 runners

2016   72 runners

2015  50 runners

2014   44 runners

2013 men   207 runners

2013 women   80 runners

2012   61 runners

2011   74 runners

2010   65 runners

2009   61 runners

2008   66 runners

Has anyone reading this got any older results, either digital or hard copy? If you can help please contact Dan at danmunro2014@gmail.com