The route approaching Wasdale from Burnmoor, which will be pounded by the runners

More than 200 super-fit athletes will tackle one of the country’s toughest mountain races this weekend.

Inspired by the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc which crosses Italy, France and Switzerland, the Lakeland 100 will test the stamina and navigation skills of competitors as they run the 160km (100 mile) route around the Lake District. The race involves a long section of night running across Cumbria’s fells, with a total ascent of 6,300m (20,670ft).

Runners have 40 hours to complete the course, which starts and ends in Coniston, but last year’s winner Steve Birkinshaw covered the route in less than 24 hours.

The circular course encompasses the Lakeland fells, using public bridleways and footpaths. Sticking to passes and cols rather than summits, the route takes in Dunnerdale, Eskdale, Wasdale, Buttermere, Keswick, Matterdale, Haweswater, Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater before returning to Coniston.

Competitors will set off on the 100-mile course at 7.30pm this Friday. Anyone still on the course after 11.30am on Sunday will be forced to retire. A shorter, 80km (50-mile) race will start at noon on Saturday, with a cut-off time 24 hours later. Teams of two or three can enter, as can solo runners.

Jez Bragg, seen here in action during the Fellsman, is a strong contender

Fellsman winner Jez Bragg is on the starting list, and is probably seen as the man to beat. Stuart Walker, fresh from his 1,930km (1,200-mile) challenge from Scilly to Orkney will also take part.

But it’s not all about young athletes: grough recently met retired teacher John Oldroyd recce-ing the route high on the Lakeland fells on Eskdale Moor. He told us he wanted to be sure of the route as he would be tackling it in the dark. GPS units are allowed – in fact race organisers Marc Laithwaite and Paul Burgess recommend carrying them. John is no stranger to long-distance events and has completed a solo Bob Graham Round, the 101km (63-mile) ascent of 42 Lakeland peaks first completed by the Keswick guest-house owner and which starts and finishes at the Moot Hall in the town.

Stuart Walker, who took part in his British Isles Challenge for charity

The Lakeland 100 event took place for the first time last year – the brainchild of ultra racers Dave Makin and Phil Hodgson, who have also completed the Bob Graham Round.

Only 11 of the 31 starters completed the race, which was won in worsening conditions by Cumbria-based runner Steve Birkinshaw who said after the event: “I was first back in Coniston after 23 hours 40 minutes. I felt extremely tired and very sore from my knees down. I was well looked after by the marshals and I went to bed in my nearby tent tired but happy.”

Full details of the event are on the Lakeland 100 website.