2025 Vermont Gran Fondo

Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge

Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge

May 11 2025
Cumbria North West UK
Date Confirmed
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Distances: 112 miles
Difficulty: Extreme terrain with frequent steep hills and long sustained climb

The Fred Whitton Challenge is one of the most popular sportives in the UK and is also famed as being particularly difficult. Riders rank it alongside European events such as the Marmotte in terms of difficulty.

The Fred Whitton Challenge consists of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District, starting at Grasmere and taking in climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose passes.

As the name suggests, it is run in honour of Fred Whitton. Fred, who died aged just 50 in 1998, was an extremely popular member of the Lakes Road Club.

The very top riders complete the route in just under six hours but eleven hours and over are not uncommon for the average Sportive rider. This is a very tough route and going on rider feedback the hardest one day ride in the UK, the event includes all the Lakeland passes, one with a 30% gradient and this comes at 98 miles.

Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge

 
Start Located At: Showfield, Stock Lane Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SL
 
 
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Registration Fees

£60 (plus small booking fee) - Ballot Entry : 3 January 2018 - 15 January 2018 only

£310 - Charity Entry (guaranteed entry) : 1 December 2017 - 15 January 2018 only

Included

Feed Stations
Electronic Timing
Route Signage
Marshalls 
First Aid

 
Facilities
Parking
Changing Rooms
Pre-Packet Pickups
 
Support for Participants
Route Signposted
Route Card
First Aid
Emergency Contact No
SAG Wagon
Outriders
Marshalls
Roving Mechanical Support
Mechanical Support at Rest Stops
 
Features
Course Timing
Results Within 24 Hours
Photos
Personalised Bib (Name and QR Code)
Downloadable GPS files
Post Ride Shower
Finish Line Chute
 
Nutrition
Feed / Aid Stations