The Sun Gods beat down on the Lake District for the 6th edition of the Rab Scafell Sky Race

UK Skyrunning - Scafell Sky Race 2023

Luke Grenfell-Shaw on his way to win the Rab Scafell Sky Race 2023 - Paul Mitchell @ RouteNorthPhotography

The skyracing last Saturday was fast and furious as the sun beat competitors into the hot rocks of the Lake District on the awesome Rab Scafell Sky Race 2023. European weather ruled as the rest of the country is covered in cloud.

Around 200 skyrunners stood on the start line of the Rab Scafell Sky Race, which in its 6th edition, just keeps getting better and better and is a true showcase of what Skyrunning in the UK really has to offer. Sun baked trails, rocky moraine over the Gable and Scafell Massifs, dribbles for streams/water sources and hardened skyrunners, the Scafell Sky Race epitomised what the start of the Skyrunner UK and Ireland Series for 2023 is all about.

George Fisher on his way to 2nd place - Paul Mitchell @ RouteNorthPhotography

The main checkpoint at Seathwaite Farm for food and drink was like a scene from the trails of Europe. Local meats and cheeses on display to not only feed the hungry runners in need of protein and salt but again, showcase what the English Lake District has to offer. Fear not as vegans, allergies and other diets were of course catered for.

The RAB Scafell Sky Race 2023, race report:

At the sharp end of the Womens’ race, Alicia Schwarzenbach dominated from the start gun sitting behind Holly Clifford until past CP1, where she never let go of the lead again and literally flew over the race route. Alicia has been strong and consistent over the last few years racing in the UK and from the start she displayed letting up, with only a desire to win. Unsurprisingly she took the premium podium spot and crossed the line in 1st place.

Hot on her heals and chasing all day was Holly Clifford, keeping on the pressure and crossing the finish line in 06:34:07, a good 30 minutes off Alicia’s winning time of 06:05:11. Alicia’s time was around 18 minutes off Georgia Tindley’s record from 2022, but improving her own race time from 2022 by 50 minutes.

In the race for the 3rd place, Karolina Woloszczyk ran very strongly, holding off 4th lady [Keri Wallace] and 5th lady [Olivia Zeltner] to place on the final podium spot in a time of 06:42:20.

Karolina Woloszczyk on the rocky terrain - Paul Mitchell @ RouteNorthPhotography

The Men’s race was very similar, no records were broken, but nontheless, fast and furious racing from the leading 5 males, each pushing the other to gain their best results. Over the first 3 checkpoints, Luke Grenfell-Shaw, George Fisher and Kim Collison ran neck-and-neck, jostling position on the ascents and descents.

By the midway feed station, CP5 at Seathwaite Farm, Luke had established a lead that he was to maintain until the finish and being his first Sky Race it was a very impressive run indeed. He came over the finish line to take the champion-crown of the men’s race in a fantastic time of 04:45:13 albeit still 15 minutes slower than the record set last year by the ultra speedy Tom Evans.

2nd and 3rd played out in similar ways, with George Fisher keeping Kim Collison just behind him, both crossing the line to respectively take 2nd and 3rd podium places and complete the trio of winners for the 2023 edition of the Rab Scafell Sky Race.

4th and 5th places went to Hugh Chatfield and Andrew Lamont, both committed skyrunners and podium finishers in their own right.

Keri Wallace racing the waist of Gable - Al Topping @ Xtreme Exposures

With the first race of the season now complete, all eyes turn to the RAB Snowdon Sky Race on the 25th June 2023. Based out of Snowdonia it is the 2nd of the Skyrunner UK and Ireland series races over Wales’ highest mountain and the 2nd highest peak in the UK.

With 3 races acting as a pre-requisite for being crowned the Champion Female and Male Skyrunner in the UK for 2023, things are only just starting to warm up for the season!

Places are still available on the RAB Snowdon Sky Race and close in a week or more, so there is still time to book yourself a place to race in the Welsh mountains.

See you all in Snowdonia for a fantasist Welsh ‘uber-technical’ and pure sky race.