Swirral Grind 850

Test the limits of your lungs, legs, and willpower at the Swirral Grind 850, a relentless uphill-only race scheduled for an evening start at 5:30 PM on Friday, July 17, 2026. Designed in the challenging style of a Vertical Kilometre, this event packs a massive 850m of ascent into a focused 6km distance, starting from the Patterdale events field. The initial grind features steep, stepped paths leading directly to the iconic 'Hole in the Wall,' offering a brief, flat reprieve across the Red Tarn Basin. The final, spectacular ascent then climbs the famous ridge-line of Swirral Edge, tackling easy scrambling before hitting the ultimate goal: the 950m summit trig point of Helvellyn, the Lake District's third-highest peak. You have 90 minutes to conquer this fast and furious ascent, offering an incredible challenge in the stunning, UNESCO-recognized mountain landscape. Entries open on October 4, 2025, providing the opportunity to earn a unique Wild Flower Seed Bomb Medal upon completion. Do you have the sheer desire to ascend one of the Lakes' most spectacular peaks in this high-energy evening mountain adventure?