Shadowlands FV40 Winner – Emma Leigh

The FV40 category in the Shadowlands Winter Trail Series was taken by the highly impressive Emma Leigh.  She was one of only nine people who managed to get to all six races in the series.  Her high placings combined with consistency meant she had every chance to do well.  There were races when other runners were far ahead but those other runners did not have Emma’s durability and she finished the Duergar (very strongly) with a mighty 160 point lead in her category.

Emma’s results were:

Race 1 – Deadwater – 4th overall, 1st FV40

Race 2 – Osprey – 5th overall, 3rd FV40

Race 3 – Wipeout – 8th overall, 3rd FV40

Race 4 – Lewis Burn – 4th overall, 2nd FV40

Race 5 – Lonesome Pine – 3rd overall, 1st FV40

Race 6 – Duergar Run – 5th overall, 2nd FV40

So that’s top three in category in every single race.  Let’s hear what Emma had to say when we sent some questions her way.

Before we talk about your awesome running at the Shadowlands Winter Trail Series, tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into running?  Have you always been a runner?  Did you concentrate on other sports first?

I did a bit of middle distance and cross country at school (many,many years ago!) but then got into horse riding, including endurance riding. I picked up running again properly during the COVID lockdown, never really planning to do more than 5k but then I did my first half marathon at the great north run in 2022 and got hooked.

What kind of runs/races have you done in the past?  Any favourites?  What would be your top distance/ terrain/ conditions to suit you?

I am not the fastest so 5 & 10k are not easy distances for me, I am much more comfortable with longer distances and I have even done a few 50k’s now, not something I ever imagined myself doing. I definitely prefer trail running, even though a lot of my training is on roads. I love a good view, any excuse to stop for a minute!!

What kind of training did you do for the Shadowlands series?

I didn’t do any specific training, but it did make me keep my mileage up at a time of year when it’s easy to let things go.

With most races being at night did you have any specific plans to deal with this?

I live in a rural village so quite a bit of my winter running is in the hours of darkness so I am used to running with a headtorch. It did mean having to plan meals sensibly ready for an evening race.

Second overall and out of sight in the FV40 category.  A huge well done from us!  Can you tell us how it went race by race?  Were you expecting to place so highly?

I had no idea what to expect going in to race 1, I am very much a middle of the pack runner so wasn’t expecting to place at all! Deadwater was a good intro to what to expect from subsequent runs. A long climb up to the top of Deadwater Fell, lots of powerhiking then a great long descent down the quick mountain bike trails that required some fast footwork in places. Osprey was the longest in the series and so cold on a lovely clear night, felt good but tough. Winter wipeout was great, what a race, certainly not easy with icy tracks and deep snow on Hedgehope but a beautiful sunny day and the views made every step worth it, even paddling through an icy cold Breamish! Lewisburn was short and fast, I wasn’t on top form as recovering from the winter lurgy so found the first half tough but found my pace at the half way point to finish 2nd female. I was feeling the pressure to keep my place on the leaderboard by the time we got to the misty Lonesome Pine race so pushed out of my comfort zone and upped my pace. It was my first time at the Duergar and I loved it, the crazy weather, the mud, the climbing, it was mad but brilliant, finished 2nd FV40 which I was happy with but didn’t know until later that I had maintained my place.

Any particular favourite amongst the races and why?

The Winter Wipeout for the amazing views and the Duergar Nightcrawler for the sheer madness!

A full winter series of runs is a proper task – what advice would you give anyone who is looking to do it next year?

If you have plans for longer spring events the Shadowlands trail series is a great way to keep things interesting over the winter months.

Lastly, what are your plans for the rest of 2026?

I am hoping to do the dark skies marathon at Kielder in March, and the St Cuthberts ultra in the summer. I did the 50km Pilgrims ultra last year so may try getting to the next stage this time around