Steve Birkinshaw approaches the summit of Esgair Penygarreg during another Shane Ohly event, the 2012 Dragon's Back Race. Photo: Rob Howard

A mountain marathon with a different slant will take place in the Lake District this summer.

The first Marmot24 will see runners tested non-stop over a course starting at noon and finishing 24 hours later.

Organiser Shane Ohly said the event combines the disciplines of mountain marathon with those of international rogaining, a sport born in the antipodes and which sees participants trying to visit as many checkpoints as possible in a given time.

For the less adventurous, the Marmot24 will also have 12-hour and six-hour categories. The starts will be staggered, so that all three finish at noon on 3 August.

Race director Shane Ohly said: “From our central event centre the competition area spans 360 degrees in all directions and includes approximately 300 sq km of the finest mountain running terrain in the UK.

“It is perfect for a 24-hour non-stop mountain marathon and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the event weekend.

“To the North of the event centre are the remote northern fells guarded by the imposing flanks of Blencathra. To the south, Clough Head marks the start of the Dodds ridge running towards Helvellyn and ultimately Ambleside.

“There are also interesting yet rarely visited fells to the east and west. The terrain is perfect for a mountain marathon with laser-fast ridges and valleys linking remote and trackless areas that contain complex contour features.”

Charlie Sproson is working with Mr Ohly on devising the course, following the successful Great Lakeland 3Day event earlier this year.

More than 100 competitors have already entered Marmot24 including a large number of elite Spanish runners that includes Aurelio Antonio Olivar, the 2013 European rogaine champion.

More details are on the Marmot24 website.