CoppaTrek! Challenge: Lake District
Join Giovanna Fletcher and hundreds of trekkers on a one-day CoppaTrek! Challenge to end the late diagnosis of breast cancer. Choose between full or half marathon options in the beautiful Lake District.
Join us in the Lake District
This year, we’re heading to a brand new location, and we want you to join us on 19 September 2026.
Trek through the breathtaking hills of the Lake District, meet like-minded people and help us raise hundreds of thousands of pounds towards our life-saving mission.
Whether you’re a seasoned CoppaTrek! pro or lacing up your boots for your very first trek, this is your chance to join us for an unforgettable adventure!
Register your interest for 2027
Challenge details
- What? Half Marathon (21.1km) or Marathon Distance (42.2km)
- Where? Lake District (Cartmel Racecourse, LA11 6QF)
- When? 19th September 2026
- How much? £30 registration fee
- Why? To raise £250 for CoppaFeel! to end the late diagnosis of breast cancer
We ask that all participants raise at least £100 by a minimum of 4-weeks ahead of the event, to allow us to cover the cost of your place on the trek. The £250 fundraising target covers the cost of your place plus additional funds towards our life-saving awareness work.
What's included
- A bespoke and fully supported route, designed and managed by our trek provider, Charity Challenge
- The option to camp on-site on Friday and Saturday night at an additional cost. Showers and toilets will be available.
- A free CoppaTrek! t-shirt to wear on the day
- Water, lunch and celebration buffet
- Trek leaders and medical support from our trek provider, Charity Challenge
- A medal and a celebration drink on finishing the route
- A friendly team to support you every step of the way with fundraising tips and ideas
- Support for those trekking solo and meeting points across the weekend
- The chance to make new friends and to save lives!
Register your interest for 2027
More about the CoppaTrek! Challenge
Event information
Before you sign up, make sure you read all of the information provided by our trek provider Charity Challenge below. If you have any questions, reach out to the CoppaTrek! Team on events@coppafeel.org
Before you trek!
Training
Our CoppaTrek! one-day trek is designed to be tough, but achievable (after all, you’ll be walking a half or full marathon in one day!). It’ll require a good level of fitness that can be achieved through training. Our treks involve an early morning, and a long day of walking with sustained periods of ascents and descents. Even if you’re a seasoned multi-day trekker, we recommend training for this challenge.
More information on training can be found in the trip notes.
Getting to and from the challenge
Your challenge will take place in the Lake District, starting and finishing at the stunningly situated Cartmel Racecourse (Postcode: LA11 6QF). This is just a short walk from the historic village of Cartmel and nestled in one of Cumbria’s most picturesque valleys.
Camping and parking will be available on site (see details below) at an additional cost. More information on how to book camping and parking will be provided once you register.
Parking will be on the fields around the campsite, so the ground can be rough and uneven as well as muddy.
We ask everyone to consider sharing lifts whenever possible to reduce our environmental impact.
Kit list
During this challenge, you’ll need to have a small backpack (around 20–30litres) that you use to carry everything you need for the day of trekking. This will include your packed lunch, which will be provided by our caterers and available for collection on the morning of the trek. Once you leave the campsite, you won’t be back until the evening – so we recommend you take everything you need with you!
You can find the recommended kit list here, which has some essential and non essential items (e.g. GLITTER!) for you to pack.
On the day
How will the trek be managed?
The route is organised by Charity Challenge (our wonderful trek provider).
This is a fully route marked challenge. Clear route marking arrows will be used for both the full and half marathon distance, and you should use these marking arrows to follow the route. You’ll also be accompanied at various points along the route by Charity Challenge’s fully qualified and experienced walking leaders, who are all first aid trained. They’ll be walking the route at regular intervals, should you wish to join them. You’ll also be given a specific event phone number to call, should you have any problems during the trek.
CoppaFeel! staff will also be dotted along the route at various checkpoints to give you a CoppaFeel! boost!
We’re expecting around 750 people to be taking part in this challenge across the two distances. Each distance will be set off in waves based on walking speed. If you wish to walk together with friends, just make sure you select the same wave time when you register, so you’re allocated together.
We’ll share more information on the route and maps around one month before the trek.
The route
The route can be accessed via a gpx file, which we can share closer to the event (around one month before you trek).
You’ll have a choice of two different trekking distances. For those wishing to test themselves in a slightly more leisurely fashion, then there’s a half marathon distance (21.1km). For those who want to push themselves a little further, there’s a full marathon distance (42.2km). Please note, the full marathon trek will likely take around 10–12 hours, and will definitely be a tough physical challenge. On each route, you’ll be supported by the fantastic Charity Challenge leaders. Both routes will start and end at the same location (Cartmel Racecourse).
Please note: All routes are subject to change depending on weather, conditions of the footpath, size of the group, and precise details will be shared about a month before the event.
CoppaTrek! timings
Full marathon
On the day of arrival, you should plan to arrive at the start for 6am. There’ll be a safety briefing from your leaders before the trek begins at 6.30am. This is a long day of trekking so it’s extremely important that everyone arrives on time so that we can begin. The trek will take between 10–12 hours to complete, and we plan to have everyone back at the finish by 7pm at the latest.
Half marathon
If you’re taking part in the half marathon route then you’ll need to arrive at the start for 10am. Your trek will begin at 10.30am. It’ll take you between 7–8 hours to complete this route, with the plan being to finish at a similar time to those who do the full marathon route.
Cut off times
For both the full and half marathon routes, there’ll be designed cut-off times so that we keep the trek running smoothly. There will be a Charity Challenge leader as a back marker, who’ll aim to make sure that everyone is finished by 7pm.This should give everyone enough time to complete the challenge.
All leaders’ decisions regarding cut-off times will be final, so we ask that you please respect any decisions they make – it’s to keep us all safe!
Please note: precise details and timings will be made available in your Final details document, that’ll be sent out one month prior to the challenge. These timings are subject to change, due to weather and the group’s ability.
Camping
Camping’s available onsite at Cartmel Racecourse (LA11 6QF) at an additional cost. We have exclusive access to this stunning racecourse with access to spacious fields, fresh air, and scenic surroundings.
You’re very welcome to find alternative accommodation. However, in order to get the full CoppaTrek! experience, we encourage you to join us and camp onsite on Friday and Saturday to avoid missing out on the CoppaTrek fun!
Camping packages available from Charity Challenge are:
Friday + Saturday night camping – £45
This includes:
- Saturday morning breakfast and hot drinks
- Tent pitch for Friday and Saturday nights (18 and 19 September 2026)
- Chance to meet your leaders and fellow trekkers
Friday night camping – £25
This includes:
- Saturday morning breakfast and hot drinks
- Tent pitch for Friday night (18 September 2026)
- Chance to meet your leaders and fellow trekkers
Please note that tents aren’t provided – participants will need to bring and set up their own.
There are also camping packages available for camper vans and motor homes. Friday night dinner will also be available at an additional cost.
Camping can be booked separately via our trek provider, Charity Challenge. We’ll share a booking link with you once you’ve signed up. Please don’t book directly with the campsite – you won’t be part of the group booking and won’t be in the same section of the camp site over the weekend.
Food and drink during your trek
There’ll be unlimited drinking water available at the campsite and at checkpoints along the trekking routes.
On the day of the trek, breakfast lunch and dinner are provided – lunch will be a packed lunch available for collection in the morning before you set off on your trek.
Most dietary requirements can be catered for as long as we have plenty of notice. Please make sure you fill in all dietary requirements when you register for the trek.
For those joining us on Friday night, there’ll also be a welcome dinner at an additional cost.
Please make sure you provide any allergies or dietary requirements when you book onto the challenge. If you have a severe allergy, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing events@coppafeel.org.
CoppaTrek! accessibility
Pre-existing medical conditions
Charity Challenge and CoppaFeel! don’t professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you’re fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed trip notes to get a better idea of what’s involved, which will be updated shortly.
Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part.
Accessibility
We try to make sure our treks are as inclusive as possible, and will do our best to accommodate those with health conditions or disabilities.
Unfortunately, our CoppaTrek!’s aren’t wheelchair accessible and may be inaccessible for some disabled people.
If you have any questions about accessibility for the challenge, or think that there’s anything Charity Challenge can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, then please email us on events@coppafeel.org.
Toilets and facilities
Clean and well-maintained toilet blocks will be available throughout the campsite, with regular servicing to ensure comfort and hygiene. Fresh water points and waste disposal stations are also conveniently located, making your stay as easy and stress-free as possible.
Lake District FAQs
Registration
Who can sign up to the CoppaTrek! Challenge?
The CoppaTrek! Challenge is open to everyone over the age of 18. We welcome trekkers of all ages, genders, religions, ethnicities and backgrounds.
When does registration close?
Registration will close around four weeks before the trek or when the event is sold out. Spaces on our trek are limited, so we may close registration earlier if we reach capacity. We recommend signing up as soon as possible to avoid missing out on the CoppaTrek! fun!
What if I need to cancel my place?
If your circumstances change and you need to cancel your place on the CoppaTrek! Challenge, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible by emailing events@coppafeel.org so that we don’t get charged for your place and can offer it to another participant.
Unfortunately, the registration fee and any fundraising is non-refundable.
Camping and facilities
Where is the CoppaTrek! Challenge taking place?
Our CoppaTrek! Challenge is taking place in the stunning Lake District.
The trek will start and finish at the stunningly situated Cartmel Racecourse (Postcode: LA11 6QF), just a short walk from the historic village of Cartmel and nestled in one of Cumbria’s most picturesque valleys.
Camping and parking will be available on site at an additional cost.
Parking will be on the fields around the campsite, so therefore the ground can be rough and uneven as well as muddy.
We would ask everyone to consider arranging to share lifts whenever possible to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible.
Can I make a weekend out of it?
Yes! We’d love for you to camp with us on Friday and Saturday night! There will be a welcome dinner on Friday evening (at an additional cost), which will be the perfect chance to meet your fellow trekkers, as well as the Charity Challenge and the CoppaFeel! Team.
We are offering two different camping packages for this year’s trek:
Friday night camping – £25
Friday and Saturday night camping – £45
If you would like to book camping, accommodation or Friday night dinner then you will be able to do this via Charity Challenge – we will share information on how to do this after you’ve registered for the trek. Please only book to camp if you are taking part in the Trek.
Is food and drink included?
There will be unlimited drinking water available, plus hot drinks and the campsite.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on Saturday – lunch will be a packed lunch available for collection in the morning before you set off on your trek. Most dietary requirements can be catered for as long as we have plenty of notice.
Friday night dinner is available at an extra cost.
Please make sure you provide any allergies or dietary requirements when you book onto the challenge. If you have a severe allergy, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing events@coppafeel.org.
What will camping and facilities be like?
There will be clean and well-maintained toilet blocks available throughout the campsite, with regular servicing to ensure comfort and hygiene. Fresh water points and waste disposal stations are also conveniently located, making your stay as easy and stress-free as possible.
Please note tents are not provided, and you still need to provide your own camping equipment.
The trek
What time does the event start and end?
The start and finish time will differ depending on which distance you choose (full or half marathon).
The marathon will aim to start between 6–6.30am and will likely take between 10-12 hours to complete.
The half marathon will aim to start between 10–10.30am and will likely take between 7–8 hours to complete.
We’ll aim to have everyone at the finish by 6.30pm to enjoy a celebration drink and meal together.
Please note timings are subject to change, and precise details and timings will be shared in your Final details document, sent out about a month before we trek.
Can I walk with friends?
Absolutely! That’s what a CoppaTrek! is all about.
Each distance will be set off in waves based on walking speed. If you wish to walk together with friends, just make sure you select the same wave time when you sign up, so you’re allocated together.
I’m a solo trekker! How can I mingle with other trekkers?
We know that turning up to an event on your own can feel daunting. But the best thing about a CoppaFeel! trek is our amazing community and the people you meet. We’ve put the following (optional) plans in place to put solo trekkers at ease and make sure you get the most out of your day.
- A designated camping area for trekkers arriving on their own and keen to camp with others. Just ask a member of the CoppaFeel! team on arrival.
- The opportunity to have dinner with fellow trekkers on the Friday evening (more info on this will be shared nearer the time).
- A special meeting point on Saturday morning for solo trekkers to eat together and get to know each other ahead of the start of the trek.
Will there be a cut off time?
For both the full and half marathon routes, there’ll be designed cut-off times to keep the trek running smoothly. There will be a Charity Challenge leader as a back marker, who’ll aim to have everyone finished by 6:30pm, so we can all regroup for evening celebrations!
All leaders’ decisions regarding cut-off times will be final, so we ask that you please respect any decisions they make – it’s to keep us all safe.
Fundraising
What is the fundraising target?
The fundraising target is £250. This target does not include GiftAid or the registration fee.
What happens if I don’t hit the fundraising target?
We know that fundraising can be daunting! But our friendly team will be on hand to offer you support in the build up to the trek.
We’ve broken the fundraising into two deadlines:
The first deadline is on 21 August 2026, around the time that we need to pay our suppliers. On this date, we ask all trekkers to raise the minimum sponsorship amount of £100. If your circumstances change and you’re no longer able to hit that first fundraising target, or haven’t started to fundraise, we’ll cancel your place on the trek.
The second deadline is on 16 October 2026, and will be the full fundraising amount of £250 (not including Gift Aid).
Fitness and accessibility
How fit do I have to be?
Our CoppaTrek! Challenge is designed to be tough, but achievable (after all, you’ll be walking a half or full marathon in one day!).
The trek involves between 7–12 hours of trekking, depending upon the distance you choose to undertake.
It’ll require a good level of fitness that can be achieved through training. But don’t worry, we’ll provide you with support for training in the build up, and you can find more information in the trip notes, which we will update shortly .
Can I take part if I have a health condition or disability?
We try to make sure our treks are as inclusive as possible, and will do our best to accommodate those with health conditions or disabilities.
Many of our previous trekkers have had cancer or are going through active treatment. If this is the case for you, we ask that you seek medical advice from a doctor before embarking on the trek.
Unfortunately, our CoppaTrek!’s aren’t wheelchair accessible and may be inaccessible for some disabled people.
If you have any questions around accessibility or the suitability of the treks for your condition, then please email us on events@coppafeel.org.
Do I need to have a personal experience with breast cancer?
Not at all – just a passion for the work we do at CoppaFeel! and the desire to help educate the nation on the importance of chest-checking.
My religious beliefs mean that I have special requirements, such as needing to pray at certain times of the day. Will you factor this in?
Most definitely! We’re a very inclusive bunch and want everyone to feel at home on a CoppaTrek!. If you have any requests or adjustments that need to be made, then please let us know and we make sure we factor these into the trek.
I have more questions. How can I get in touch?
For any questions, please email the CoppaTrek! Team on events@coppafeel.org
Contact the CoppaTrek team!
If you have any questions about our CoppaTrek! Challenge, please email our friendly events team on events@coppafeel.org
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