Lake District Ultra Challenge
- Cumbria
- 6-7 June 2026
- 100km, 50km, 42km, 29km or 10km - you choose!
- Registration fee: £20 - £50
- Fundraising pledge: £100 - £575
Are you ready to take on the Lake District challenge for Shelter? You can walk, jog or run – the choice is yours.
There are different distance options to suit everyone. Push your endurance on a 100km circular ultra marathon, or choose a shorter 10km hike in Ambleside.
Starting in Kendal, you'll climb challenging hills and be rewarded with stunning views until you reach Ambleside. Next, the route heads to the halfway point at the beautiful Lake Windermere.
The full 100km route continues along the lakeshore and into the countryside beyond. You'll pass through charming villages including Cartmel, Witherslack and Levens. Then soak up the triumph when you return to the Kendal finish line!
Get sponsored and raise funds to support people experiencing homelessness or housing issues.
How to get started
1. Choose a distance that suits you, from 10km to an epic 100km. You'll need to reach a minimum fundraising target based on the distance you choose.
2. Sign up on Ultra Challenge’s website. Select your distance and select Shelter as the charity you're fundraising for. You also have the option to join or create a team.
3. Get fundraising! You'll need to reach at least 50% of your fundraising target three weeks before the challenge.
Distance options
Full challenge: 100km
Registration fee: £50
Fundraising pledge: £575
Difficulty level: extra challenging
Half challenge: 50km
Registration fee: £40
Fundraising pledge: £375
Difficulty level: challenging
Lakes marathon: 42km
Registration fee: £40
Fundraising pledge: £375
Difficulty level: challenging
Quarter challenge: 29km
Registration fee: £30
Fundraising pledge: £275
Difficulty level: medium
Ambleside 10km challenge
Registration fee: £20
Fundraising pledge: £100
Difficulty level: easy
What you'll get
When you sign up to fundraise for Shelter, you’ll get:
a Shelter T-shirt
fundraising advice
training tips
On the day you’ll get:
free food and drink at regular rest stops
full support, including medics, marshals and massage
a glass of fizz, a T-shirt and a medal when you cross the finish line
Other fundraising options
If you’re unable to fundraise as much, you can also pay for all or part of your event place to reduce your fundraising target.
Mixed funding
Pay a higher registration fee, which covers half of your event place cost. Fundraising targets are lower if you choose this option.
Sign up for a mixed-funded place
Self-funding
Pay the full cost of your event place and fundraise whatever you can.
How your fundraising helps
When you fundraise for Shelter, you're standing with people who face homelessness or unsafe housing.
Our experts provide advice and support through our emergency helpline, webchat service and face-to-face in local hubs.
Every mile and every pound you raise will help defend the right to a safe home.
£20 could fund a webchat, providing essential housing advice
£58 could answer two calls to our emergency helpline
£157 could pay for legal advice to help a family in crisis keep their home
Contact us
You can find further information about the Lake District Challenge and frequently asked questions on Ultra Challenge’s website.
If you have any questions, please email us at running@shelter.org.uk.
Similar events
See the Ultra Challenge calendar for a full list of events.