On the weekend of 26th to 28th July, adrenaline junkie members of the Orb Rope Access team, who clearly don’t see weekends as a chance for some well-deserved R&R, took part in the gruelling Lakeland 50 ultra trail challenge. This really was the ultimate teambuilding event!
The Lakeland 50 is described as ‘one of the greatest ultra trail challenges in Europe, perhaps the world’. At almost double the distance of a marathon, with the added ‘bonuses’ of rough terrain and 3100m of ascent, the Lakeland 50 is not for the faint hearted!
From Ullswater to Coniston, this is a route that is familiar to Orb Rope Access directors Matt and Julie Lavery. Matt has now completed the Lakeland 50 four times, and Julie completed the trail in 2022. Both have previously marshalled when the other was running.
This year, Matt was joined by IRATA certified Orb Rope Access technicians Jack Lowe and Tom Horrocks. According to Julie, both Jack and Tom ‘absolutely nailed it’, and she’s delighted that they have joined herself and Matt in becoming ‘Lakeland legends’!
A family affair
Orb Rope Access has always shouted from the rooftops (sometimes literally) about being a family business, and this event was no exception. Julie and Matt’s son Tom has also previously marshalled the Lakeland 50. This year both he and his sister Lucy completed the Lakeland 1 children’s event on the Friday night.
Julie said: “We were delighted when Jack and Tom both said they wanted to run with Matt at this year’s Lakeland 50. It shows true team spirit and a shared mindset for taking on demanding physical challenges.
“I know firsthand how much grit and determination is needed to complete this challenge because it is so physically and mentally draining. I’m incredibly proud of the team, and delighted that our children Tom and Lucy were able to take part in the event too.”
