The plot for The Cairn was inspired by a sport which doesn’t exist in any of the other locations I write about but is huge in parts of Cumbria: fell running.

This ancient and demanding sport is steeped in tradition, testing runners’ endurance and mental toughness as they navigate wild landscapes. In essence it’s a simple, community-driven pursuit where runners race up and down the steep, pathless hills, battling unpredictable weather and challenging terrain with little more than their own grit.

But don’t let that fool you into thinking anything about fell running is easy.

Fell running has roots stretching back to the 11th century, a time when I thought people were too busy just surviving to indulge in a sport as arduous (and bonkers?) as running across hills and mountains for fun. Traditionally, it was a test of endurance and speed, vital skills for shepherds who navigated the hills for work. The first recorded race was in 1852 in Grasmere, part of a village festival.

Fell running has grown steadily since then and is now an organised sport, with local clubs and regular races. But it’s still simple, with races organized by small clubs and with no big prizes: just a trophy or a post-race pie. What attracts people is the purity of the challenge and the joy of competing in one of the most beautiful regions in the UK.

Cumbria’s Lake District, with its craggy peaks and rolling hills, offers the ideal setting for fell running, and famous peaks like Scafell Pike and Helvellyn feature in many races. Runners face a real challenge: there’s often no paths, forcing them to choose their own routes and use their knowledge of the hills and navigational skills to find the quickest way.

Conditions can shift quickly, with rain, fog, or strong winds turning a peaceful run into a test of survival. Runners need to carry basic equipment and be prepared for sudden weather changes. And for many, this is what sets fell running apart. It’s not just about speed but also about understanding the land and coping with whatever it throws at you.

The Cairn opens at a fictional fell run, one Joel and I spent time investigating before writing the book. Joel was even tempted to have a go at fell running himself (I was not!).

The route for the Great Borne Fell Run, which is where the crime at the start of The Cairn takes place, starts at Bowness Knot, a grassy area that serves as the main kickoff point (and car park). From here, runners trek towards the challenging hills that define the course, including notable peaks like Red Pike and Starling Dodd.

As they ascend, participants are treated to stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the picturesque lakes of Crummock Water and Buttermere, nestled within the rugged terrain of the Lake District. The route weaves through rocky paths, with climbs offering breathtaking panoramas of valleys and peaks.

The descent would be as thrilling as the ascent, taking runners past granite and gorse, natural beauty mixed with the adrenaline of the race. A panoramic vista of the fells provides a vivid backdrop to this competitive yet scenic event.

I have to give Joel credit for formulating this route: he spent time visiting the location and working out a suitable route for a fell run, as well as spectating real runs to find out firsthand how they were run and what the experience was like.

Happily, we were able to find a beauty spot without an existing run, and one close to some of the other locations in the Cumbria Crime series.

But for poor Laurence Eversholt, the route ends too soon. He doesn’t finish the race: something that isn’t like him. Laurence is an experienced runner and someone the organisers expect to make good time.

So what’s happened to him?

Only one way to find out…