YHA (England & Wales) is to be the accommodation partner for the 13 Valleys Ultra. 

This is a brand new, sustainable running experience in the Lake District from Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1.

As the accommodation partner, YHA will provide discounted accommodation at its 13 youth hostels within the National Park and surrounding areas for participants in the 13 Valleys Ultra.

The flagship event, which is being organised by the Great Run company in partnership with the Lake District National Park, offers four distances – 20km, 60km, 100km and 180km.

The individual races start from either Keswick or Ambleside where YHA has a youth hostel in each location.

Colin Murphy, race director said: “It is such a privilege to be involved in establishing an event such as this. The 13 Valleys Ultra and the legacy route will provide a platform for so many people to challenge themselves physically and mentally, be that an elite Ultra runner navigating all 13 Valleys and 180km of the route in one day, or a family spending time together on the trail, making memories and forging a bond for life with the outdoors. The event captures the imagination of everyone we speak with and we can’t wait to share it.”

13 Valleys Ultra will link all 13 valleys of the UNESCO World Heritage Site together for the first time, creating the foundations of a trail that can be used all year round.

YHA is also offering five discounted places in the event subject to participants being able to raise a minimum of £150 in donations. All money raised will go to YHA’s Heart of the Community Appeal which is funding the installation of publicly accessible defibrillators in its Lake District youth hostels.

Delighted to support the 13 Valleys Ultra, Paul Howlett, YHA’s Regional business manager for the North West and who will also be taking part in the 180km distance, said: "Not only does it provide opportunities for people to get outdoors and discover more of the wonderful landscape in the Lake District, but it will also leave a long-lasting legacy with the creation of a new trail for walkers and runners of all abilities to use and enjoy within the Lake District.”