BRAVE runners gathered to take on 'one of the toughest 50 miles races in the country' on October 10.

The Lakes in a Day Ultra event saw 186 people gather at Caldeck, the top of the Lake District, and race down to the very bottom - Cartmel.

150 competitors managed to complete the gruelling course in times ranging from event winner Tim Higginbottom's 10.37 hours to just under 24 hours.

Dark Peak Fell Running Club's Stuart Walker came second with a time of 10.40 hours while the first woman was Catriona Sutherland of Lakesmultisport.com in a time of 13.31 hours.

James Thurlow, Event Director, said: "I looked at a map and thought people could do it in a day. It's dangerous to look at a map all day! There were a few people swearing at me at the end!"

The event was unique for a couple of reasons - the route and the food.

"It's unique because it's longer than our other events but we also go higher than usual. Most events will stay low but we go right up to the top of Blencathra and Helvellyn," said James, 44, from Haverthwaite.

"But we put on quite a lot of food - we went to town with it actually! There were three food stations serving everything from pizza, croissants and cakes. It's not something you could do on just an apple. When you have a slice of pizza in front of you your diet habits go out of the window."

Entries for next year's race are already open but James has a message for anyone thinking about taking on the challenge.

"It needs respect," he warns.

"It's a long day out. It will take a lot of training but it is not beyond the realms of possibility. It's one of the toughest 50 mile races in the country so it is a massive achievement for anybody who finished."

Anybody interested can register at www.lakesinaday.co.uk.