RUNNERS face a fresh challenge as a new series of races have been added to the 2017 Lakeland Trail Series.

The annual competition – this year sponsored by Cumbrian running brand inov-8 for the first time – will feature 5km runs alongside the standard 10km and 17km events.

Last year, 12,500 runners contested the Lakeland Trails, which will take in runs at Cartmel, Staveley and Keswick, among others in 2017.

There will also be a marathon and half-marathon event based at Coniston and the Lakes Ultra – a 55km and 110km ultra-running challenge around the Lake District, starting and finishing in Ambleside.

Runners from around the world compete in the series, which is estimated to generate £5m for the regional economy.

This year’s series will start in Cartmel on March 18, with the Coniston marathon and half-marathon on June 4. The Hawkshead and Coniston trail races are not on this year’s calendar, but will return in 2018.

Lakeland Trails event director Graham Patten is hopeful the partnership with inov-8 can help take the events up a level, and he said: “We are delighted to welcome the inov-8 team to the Lakeland Trails family. Having a local business who are passionate about trail running to work with on developing the events, will help us showcase what a spectacular location the Lake District is for world class events like the Lakeland Trails.”

Guests at the launch for this year’s series were given the chance to run the new 5km Kentmere Sport Trail route, which will be staged at Staveley in May.

Michael Price, director of product and marketing for inov-8, said: “We believe in investing in running in the Lake District. It’s our home, it’s one of the best places to run in the world and has an unrivalled running history.

“The Lakeland Trails are a perfect fit for us. There’s an event for every runner, from a 5km all the way up to the Lakes Ultra.”

l Places are already filling up for the Lakeland Trails events. To enter, visit www.lakelandtrails.org