Leading ultra runners are preparing to head to Cumbria to race across England at the weekend, in the 2023 SILVA Northern Traverse and Lakes Traverse. Strong fields will compete in both races, which will start at St Bees on the west coast, on the morning of Saturday 1 April.

Organised by Kendal based company Ourea Events, the SILVA Northern Traverse is a continuous 300K footrace from St Bees on the west coast of England to Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast. The race, which has to be completed within five days, follows the well-established coast to coast route created by Alfred Wainwright, through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors.

Participants in the SILVA Lakes Traverse have 30 hours to finish the 100K footrace. The event will use the same race infrastructure, logistics and staffing as the Northern Traverse. After crossing the Lake District National Park fells, the route finishes in Shap.

Around 270 competitors have signed up to take part in the 2023 SILVA Northern Traverse and Lakes Traverse, and among them are some of the most successful ultra runners on the circuit. In the men’s SILVA Northern Traverse, 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race winner James Nobles will take on former Lakeland 100 winner and three time Tor des Géants finisher Paul Tierney, 2021 Cape Wrath Ultra winner Ian Stewart, 2018 Cape Wrath Ultra winner Robert Barnes, and, fresh from his experience at the Barkley Marathons, three time Spine Race winner Eoin Keith.

In the women’s race, two-time Silk Road Mountain Race winner Jenny Tough is hoping to repeat her bikepacking success on foot. Among those who she will face competition from is Emily Mills, who won the 2022 Chester Ultra 100.

In the women’s race in the SILVA Lakes Traverse, 2022 winner and Team GB trail runner Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn will defend her title, in a race that will also feature Victoria Morris, who was third woman in the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race, and SILVA athlete Keri Wallace, who recently set a fastest known time for a winter Tranter’s Round.

In the men’s race, Lakes based Gavin Dale will be aiming to follow up his recent win in the 100-mile Arc of Attrition. Northern and Lakes Traverse headline sponsor SILVA has encouraged its ambassadors to get involved in the two races, and several will be on the start line.

For more information about the events, visit the Northern Traverse website.

Image: Northern and Lakes Traverse and No Limits Photography