Trail & Ultra skills weekend - with Kim Collison

If booking with a deposit then pay the rest 4 weeks before the start of the event

Jump to: Itinerary/activities  |  Your coaches/hosts  |  Kit list  |  Accommodation & food

**’This is an indicative plan – subject to change depending on circumstances such as the weather…

Friday 9th

• Arrive Friday afternoon/evening from 5pm
  • 7.00pm optional Friday evening shake out run in the valley
  • 8:30pm dinner
  • Socialising and exchanges of tips and tricks

Sat 10th

• 8:00am Breakfast
• Morning
  • Introductions and discussions
  • Coaching with Kim Collison (mix of inside and outside – with a tea/coffee and snack break)
    • Running technique, technical ascending and ‘interesting’ descents
    • Trail run weaving through the Helvellyn massif  putting new skills into practice
• 12:30 (ish) Lunch
• Afternoon
  • Intro to Nav with Hiking Highs
  • Presentation by Kim on the challenges faced (and overcome!) to win the Spine, Q&A
  • (tea / coffee & snack break at a suitable time in the afternoon)
  • Coaching runs with Kim Collison
  • 1 on 1 chats & advice
  • Short & longer routes depending on your needs
• 19:00 (ish) Dinner
• Discussions and fireside chats  *** potential to witness a successful Bob Graham finish in Keswick – for those that wish to ***

Sunday 11th

• *** pre-breakfast wake up dip for those that wish to ***
• 8:00am Breakfast
• morning
• Light Strength & conditioning session *** optional
• Navigation practice for runners –
• Use of technology (watches, GPS) – how to nav with your watch – workshop
• Running with poles coaching – with Hiking highs
  • How to use poles effectively & efficiently
  • Practical instruction – poles included
  • Practice and feel the benefits
• 13:00 Review of training and information exchange
• 14:00 trail run in the Helvellyn massif – putting it all to practice
• 16:00ish wrap up and home 

Monday 12th *** Optional & free

• Able to stay the night on Sunday? well if you want to you can – for free, and you are welcome to join us on an informal run – or go on your own
• informal run depending on the group makeup – leg 2 of the BGR? Part of the Lakeland 50? Patterdale parish boundary challenge?

If you are into ultras you probably heard about Kim’s recent stunning win at the grueling Winter Spine race (268 mile non-stop race along the penine way). As well as the challenges of the course he overcame a number of issues that ultimately resulted in 3 previous DNFs. 4th time lucky? Well of course it wasn’t luck but outstanding execution that got him to the finish line in the third fastest time ever – the two faster runs coming the previous year in more favourable course conditions. Kim will share his insights of the race and his wider fell, trail, ultra and skyrunning experience with you during the weekend.

Kim has spent over decade empowering people to believe in themselves through the power and magic of adventures in the Lake District. He shares his experience, passion and knowledge for endurance running to coach and support others (see kimcollison.com & instagram.com/kimcollison).

He has twice represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at World Trail Championships; winning a team Bronze in 2015. Prior to this he was part of a Great British team at three Adventure racing world championships; achieving 6th place in Ecuador 2014.

In 2014 he won the Lakeland 50, was British Trail Running Champion, and went on to achieve a number ultra records on the trails including Hardmoors 55 (55 miles), Lakeland Trails 110km (65 miles), Lakes in a Day (50 miles) and Arc of Attrition (100 miles).

Overseas trail running experience includes a top 10 finish in the Skyrunning World Championship, winning the Falcotrail Ultra in Spain and finisher at the Courmayeur Champex Chamonix (CCC), Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) and Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB).

On the fells He is a keen Fell Runner and Mountain Marathon competitor with significant success including wining a British Championship race, a close second in an English Championship race, wins in both the Elite and Long Score classes at the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) and twice winning the Elite Dark Mountains Mountain Marathon. He has completed Winter and Summer Bob Graham Rounds including breaking the winter record in 2019 with a time 15hrs 47mins

In July 2020, He managed to break the Lakeland 24 hour fell record with 78 tops. In April 2021 he broke the record for the Paddy Buckley round in Wales, and in July 2021 he broke the 24 hour Munro record with 33 tops.

Since breaking records on the rounds he has been challenging his ability to run super long ultras with notable success in breaking the course record at the Northern Traverse 2022, winning the Fellsman 2024 for the second time (previously in 2014). In September 2024 he won the Swisspeaks 306K race – and of course in Jan 2025 won the Winter Spine race.

Nicky founded “Hiking Highs” and formerly “Nics Nordic Walks” in 2015, to deliver guided walking breaks, inspire folk in the Lake District Mountains and share her passion for hills.

Nicky is a mountain leader and lives at the foot of Helvellyn, and the Helvellyn Massif is her playground all year round. Using poles in the fells and also teaching their magic is Nicky’s passion – she even taught great Joss Naylor how to use poles effectively!

Nicky also teaches the Bronze, Silver & Gold Level of Navigation for the National Navigation award Scheme, recognised by Mountain Training Association (MTA) and the British Mountaineering Council (BMC).

Jon is the owner and operator of Almond Lodge Helvellyn and Almond Lodge Brecon Beacons. Before that he ran a design consultancy which he sold in 2018 – this allowed him to pursue his passion for the outdoors and pretend to be an athlete.

2024 was a big running year with an accidental completion of the Winter Spine (he won his place in the volunteer lottery), and a successful completion of the Dragons Back race the following September.

It’s fair to say he represents the keen mid to back packer – and this year is trying more for the mid than the back. In April 2025 he will attempt the Norther Traverse, follow this up with the Lakeland 100 in July and then in January 2026 has stupidly signed up for the Winter Spine again (this time tho it’s no accident!)

You need to bring your own bedding – All the beds have full size mattresses (and you will have top and bottom bunk to yourself) most people find a fitted sheet works well and bring either a duvet or sleeping bag, and a pillow or two

Run kit – what you would normally wear out on the trails – importantly including trail shoes, waterproof top and bottoms, warm clothes. This is the lakes so probably best to bring a couple of sets of running clothes just in case it rains 😉 If you have them then bring: running pack/vest, running watch, compass, poles

Other – evening clothes, wash stuff etc.

We will be staying at Almond Lodge Helvellyn. It is 300m up Helvellyn and 1 mile outside Glenridding and the shores of Ullswater. It is a bunkhouse but you will have at least top and bottom bunk to yourself (need to bring bedding – see above). Post code: CA11 0QR. If you are arriving by public transport then we will arrange to collect you from the village – let us know when booking.

All food from Friday evening until Sunday Lunch if provided. There will be Vegitarian and vegan options (GF options too).

Tea and coffee and soft drinks in plentiful supply throughout.

You may wish to bring alcoholic drinks, extra snacks, gels etc.