The X-Lakes Challenge is a hike-and-fly event where you create your own adventure in the fells of the Lake District.

Two Day Challenge format

The Two Day Challenge is an approximately 24‑hour, race‑to‑goal event that follows the Bob Graham Round route in a clockwise direction. Final timings will be confirmed by the race director at the Thursday evening briefing, but competitors should plan on the following schedule.

• Start from 08:00 on Friday, hike and fly until 22:00
• Cease flying by 21:00 on Friday, with rest from 22:00
• Restart at 07:00 on Saturday
• Finish back at Grasmere no later than 17:00 on Saturday

The Bob Graham route reference:
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/4946043/robs-bob-graham-round?lat=54.53809&lon=-3.49369&zoom=9.9068&style=Standard&type=2d

Course and waypoints

The full course consists of all five legs of the Bob Graham Round, starting and finishing at Grasmere Show Ground. The intersection onto the course is at Dunmail Raise.
• Waypoints must be tagged in order
• The first waypoint is Steel Fell and the last waypoint is Seat Sandal before returning to the finish
• All competitors start together, and the winner is the pilot who completes the full course first, starting and finishing at Grasmere Show Ground

General rules

1. Travel is only permitted on foot or by paraglider within race times.
2. No other form of transport is allowed within race times.
3. Turn points can be tagged on foot or in the air and must be tagged in order.
4. Each pilot is responsible for their own route between waypoints and for all decisions to fly.
5. Pilots may have assistants, but they are not permitted to carry any of the equipment listed in the mandatory flying kit. All equipment must be carried at all times.
6. Do not deliberately fly in cloud to gain an advantage.

Flying equipment

All flying equipment must be homologated, airworthy, BHPA‑approved and comply with the latest editions of the following EN or LTF certification standards.
• Paraglider: EN 926‑2 and EN 926‑1, or LTF 91/09, with aspect ratio under 7.2
• Harness: EN 1651 with certified protection, or LTF 91/09
• Emergency parachute: EN 12491 or LTF 91/09
• Helmet: EN 966; snowboarding helmets certified to EN 1077 are also accepted
• CCC paragliders are not permitted

Tracking and responsibilities

All participants will receive the Bob Graham peak waypoints in advance and will be tracked and scored using GPS tracking devices. The decision to participate, run, walk or fly, and how to manage risk on the hill and in the air, remains the sole responsibility of each competitor.

The task committee may adjust or update these rules at its discretion, and any changes will be communicated as early as possible to all registered participants.