The course is approximately twenty-one miles long with around 9,000 feet of ascent and takes in checkpoints at Whin Rigg, Seatallan, Pillar, Great Gable, Esk Hause shelter, Scafell Pike and Lingmell nose wall.
[1] The race, organised by the Cumberland Fell Runners Association, was first held in 1972 when it took place during a heat wave.
In 2001, the trend of decreasing numbers of runners entering long category A fell races, including Wasdale, was discussed.
[4] The following year, Brian Martin and Selwyn Wright developed the Lakeland Classics Trophy series to raise the profile of the long Lakeland fell races, to encourage runners to compete in them and to recognise the achievements of runners who perform well in such events.
[6] Wasdale has frequently been one of the counting races in the British and English Fell Running Championships.