The route is approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) in length with 1,065 metres (3,494 ft) of ascent[1] and takes in checkpoints on the summits of Wetherlam, Swirl How and the Old Man of Coniston.
[2] The race was first run in 1982 and quickly became popular, attracting some of the best fell runners.
[3] In 1985, a bottleneck at the start of the route with 560 runners caused an entry limit of 400 to be introduced for future editions.
[4] In 2016, inclement weather in the days leading up to the race resulted in a shorter route being used, avoiding some of the higher ground.
[5] Coniston has been one of the counting races in the British or English Fell Running Championships on several occasions.