Lake District, Cumbria, United Kingdom · Road sportive · Sun 9 May 2027 (provisional)
The lottery for 2027 isn't open yet; opening is announced for Tue 1 Dec 2026. Next: charity places open — Mon 2 Nov 2026. For 2026, the ballot opened on 1 Dec 2025.
Last verified 29 Sept 2026, 18:35 UTC · Report a correction
Every way in we know of for 2027, most actionable first. Times are shown in local time at the event (Europe/London) and in yours.
Club / member allocation
Only for 2026 entrants who told the organizer they couldn't ride and asked to defer. Their 2026 fee went to the event charities and they are invited to buy a 2027 place at the normal fee.
Club / member allocation
Officially registered volunteers at the previous edition are guaranteed a place the following year and receive an entry link by email, with a discount code. The place is personal and cannot be passed on.
Charity place
Guaranteed place ahead of the ballot, bought through one of three local charities: North West Air Ambulance, Great North Air Ambulance or Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue. The fee bundles the entry with a non-refundable donation (GBP 218.75 in 2025, GBP 318.75 in 2026); the 2027 price is not yet published. Places are capped and the 2025 allocation sold out.
Lottery / ballot
Free to enter the ballot; successful riders are emailed and then pay the entry fee (GBP 112.35 including charges in 2025 and 2026; the 2027 fee is not yet published). In past editions first-time riders had a separate first draw of 400 places, and groups of up to four could enter together so all or none get in. Multiple entries are excluded.
Club / member allocation
In past editions a small number of invite-only places were set aside for riders living abroad, requested by email. The 2027 entry calendar does not mention it so far.
Waitlist
Historically, places freed by cancellations (usually around April) went first to unsuccessful ballot applicants who had asked to join the reserve list. Not yet confirmed for 2027.
Charity place
Offered in past editions: riders who raised over GBP 500 for one of the three special charities got a discount-code entry the next year. Not listed in the 2027 entry calendar so far.
One email when something changes — openings, sell-outs, lotteries, transfers — plus reminders before announced opening times.
A live calendar feed of this event's registration moments (openings, closings, lottery results) — not just race day. Subscribing keeps it updated.
| Edition | Entries opened | Sold out? | Still possible after | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 Dec 2025Lottery | Unknown | —Pre-entries (charity, overseas, deferred, volunteer) opened 3 Nov 2025. The ballot ran 1-12 Dec 2025 and results came out 15 Dec 2025; successful riders paid GBP 112.35 and charity places cost GBP 318.75. A landslip meant a detour via The Struggle instead of Kirkstone, cutting the route to about 108 miles. | Sources: [3][4][5][6][14][16] |
| 2025 | 2 Dec 2024Lottery | Unknown | —The ballot opened 2 Dec 2024 (the organizer's Facebook post gave 10:00 UK time) and closed 11 Dec 2024, with results on 16 Dec 2024. Pre-entries opened 1 Nov 2024; successful riders paid GBP 112.35, and the GBP 218.75 charity places showed none left. | Sources: [7][8][9][10][15] |
A 112-mile charity sportive from Grasmere over the Lake District's major passes, including Hardknott and Wrynose, first ridden in 1999 in memory of Lakes Road Club member Fred Whitton and entered mostly through an oversubscribed December ballot.
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Next key date
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Next key date
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Unofficial page. bibalerts is independent and not affiliated with the organizers of Fred Whitton Challenge; the event name is used only to identify it. Details can change at short notice — always confirm on the official site before you pay. Last verified 29 Sept 2026, 18:35 UTC. Report a correction.