Lake District Running Festival
Sat 31 May - Sun 1 Jun 2025 Ambleside, Cumbria, UK

Lake District Running Festival

50 years of Lake District running in one unforgettable weekend! Trail runners, fell runners, orienteers and walkers of all abilities in an iconic location with family-friendly activities and more.

7 races

  • Sat 31 May - Sun 1 Jun
  • #1 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

OMM Lite Trail Quest

08:00

Age 14 & over

£55-£85

  • 1 day foot orienteering
  • Sat 31 May
  • #2 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 5km Trail Run

11:30

Age 6 & over

£15-£20

  • 5.7 km trail running + 61 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #3 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 10km Trail Run

11:30

Age 15 & over

£30

  • 10 km trail running + 160 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #4 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 17km Trail Run

11:30

Age 17 & over

£35

  • 17 km trail running + 369 m ascent
  • Sun 1 Jun
  • #5 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 42km Trail Run

07:30

Age 18 & over

£55

  • 42 km trail running + 1905 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #6 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop Nordic Walking Challenge

11:30

Age 15 & over

£30

  • 10 km walking + 160 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #7 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Guided Walk

08:00

Age 5 & over

FREE

  • 1 day hiking

Event overview

The Grasmere Gallop Trail Races (40 years old) and OMM Lite Trail Quest (10 years old) join together to create an epic weekend celebrating off-road running in the Lake District.

The festival aims to bring together trail runners, ultra runners, fell runners and orienteers of all abilities in an iconic location to race, relax and enjoy being on stunning trails.

Great routes, good food, and a chance to hear about the latest developments in the sport make it a must-attend weekend for anyone who loves the outdoors.

runners
A running location like no other!

The picturesque and historic village of Grasmere in the heart of the Lake District provides an incredibly unique basecamp to run, walk and camp from all weekend.

Surrounded by the 3000ft fells, you will run some of the most stunning trails in the country that inspired the works of William Wordsworth, Enid Blyton and Alfred Wainwright. It really is a special place to explore!

Highlights

  • Explore stunning trails and epic fells
  • Camp with family and friends
  • Local food and drink
  • Activities for everyone

  • All fitness levels
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Teams
  • Traders at event

Who is it for?

Whatever distance or difficulty, there's an event for you. Choose to run or walk in the valleys and local peaks in the Grasmere Gallop trail and Nordic Walking events. Alternatively, you can embark on the OMM Lite Trail quest which will take you as far and as high as you want to go.

start

Outdoor sports

9 events to choose from!

  • Trail runs
  • Fell runs
  • Trail Quest orienteering
  • Nordic Walking
  • Guided Walking
  • Fun Run
     
walkers

Free talks

A range of free, inspirational talks all weekend.

Last year the talks covered:

  • Navigation for the fells
  • Conservation updates
  • Kit repair
  • Running psychology
     
talks

Workshops

Boost your running and mountain skills.

Workshops are interactive and usually held outside in the sports field. Plus, there will be opportunities across the weekend to join in.

Last year the event featured:

  • Using poles on the fells
  • Running technique workshop
  • Take your navigation to the next level
  • Ultimate tent workshop
     
navigation

Wellbeing

Keeping you in top condition for the trails.

A weekend pounding the trails can be tough on the body. To help with recovery the on-site massage tent and wellbeing workshops will keep you in top condition ready for another day.

Last year featured:

  • Morning mobility sessions
  • Yoga
  • Sports massage
     
wellbeing

Food

Refuel your way after a day on the trails!

The event kitchen will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The massive marquee hosts a full professional kitchen cooking quality, homemade and healthy food. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be available.

The popular FellBeck Farm bar will be back serving some excellent real ales, wines and soft drinks. (The Fell Runner IPA is recommended).

Alternative options include wood-fired pizzas from the Love Pizza van, ice cream and freshly brewed coffee from the Little Blue Pig coffee van.

food

Kids

Inspiring the next generation to explore the trails and fells!

There’s plenty for non-competitors to do. First, head over to the British Orienteering stand and send your little ones off into the navigation maze - always entertaining. Then head over to the face painting and off into Grasmere on the village orienteering course.

Finally, the highlight of the weekend -the kids' Teddy Dash run.

kids

Exhibitors

An exciting event village to wander around.

Only quality, relevant exhibitors that add value to your experience are allowed.

Title sponsors OMM will be out in force with an exciting display of the OMM brand and history. OMM is one of the top brands leading the way in running kit innovation. Their product developers love a tech’y chat about gear so pick their brains and find out where running equipment development is heading in the future.

  • Bar
  • Cafe
  • Camping
  • Mountains
  • Rural
  • Showers
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show
The Showfield, Stock Lane
Grasmere
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 9SL
UK

Map

Click here to open map

What3words

///warned.baseless.flats

Campsite

This campsite is arguably the best camping location in the UK!

Based at the Grasmere Sports Ground in the centre of Grasmere, you’ll be surrounded by 2000ft+ fells in every direction and a 5-minute walk from the historic village of Grasmere.

After a long day on the trails, the event village has everything you need. Enjoy some home-cooked food and a chilled drink, listen to a tech talk or sit back and admire the views with friends.

Details

  • Camp for the whole weekend in Grasmere for £20 per adult + under 18s are free!
  • Camping (including caravans and campervans) is not included in your race entry fee but can be added when booking.
  • Bookings for the full weekend (not single nights) but you can arrive on Friday or Saturday morning.
  • Everyone needs to be off the site by 5pm Sunday evening.
  • No electric hookups are available.
  • The friendly volunteers will greet you at the gate and show you where to pitch up.
  • Tents will be pitched in the designated camping field. This is separate from the car park but no further than 100m away.
  • Campervans under 6m in length will be parked on grass.
  • Campervans 6m or over in length and caravans will be parked on hardstanding.
  • Caravan owners may be asked to park their car separately.
     

Showers

Fully heated, private shower cubicles are available for £10 per person. 

These are perfect for washing away the trail dust and grime ready to grab some food and relax. These passes are non-transferable between individuals but cover you for showers all weekend. Under 16s are free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult with a shower pass.

festival

Grasmere Village

The local village of Grasmere, just a few minutes walk from the festival site, has a host of shops, pubs and cafes for you to explore whilst enjoying the festival. This includes Grasmere’s famous Gingerbread shop, which has been trading since 1854.

Lakes nearby

Motorised boats are not allowed on Grasmere or Rydal Water so they offer tranquil walks along their shore paths or a refreshing dip, if you’re brave enough. Paddleboarding is allowed on Grasmere, but not Rydal Water.

History and culture

Dove Cottage, on the outskirts of Grasmere, was the final resting place of the famous wordsmith, William Wordsworth. The Wordsworth Museum, near Dove Cottage, showcases a collection of the poet’s work and is a short walk or drive from the event. 

A truly wonderful festival of everything outdoors, fun, runs, walks, team building, learning, sharing experiences, food, friendship, making memories - showcasing everything that's good about the great outdoors. Steve

I'd like to send a massive thank you to all the crew who made this event so amazing! From entering the campground to finishing the marathon, and in particular the support from the crew at the feed stations and dotted along the course... Just fantastic! Nicola

A superb atmosphere around the showground, with so much going on. Duncan

A great weekend. It was our first time and we loved it, really chilled and great fun. We will be back next year. Yvonne

Races at event

  • Sat 31 May - Sun 1 Jun
  • #1 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

OMM Lite Trail Quest

08:00

Age 14 & over

£55-£85

  • 1 day foot orienteering
  • Sat 31 May
  • #2 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 5km Trail Run

11:30

Age 6 & over

£15-£20

  • 5.7 km trail running + 61 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #3 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 10km Trail Run

11:30

Age 15 & over

£30

  • 10 km trail running + 160 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #4 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 17km Trail Run

11:30

Age 17 & over

£35

  • 17 km trail running + 369 m ascent
  • Sun 1 Jun
  • #5 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop 42km Trail Run

07:30

Age 18 & over

£55

  • 42 km trail running + 1905 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #6 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Grasmere Gallop Nordic Walking Challenge

11:30

Age 15 & over

£30

  • 10 km walking + 160 m ascent
  • Sat 31 May
  • #7 of 7
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show, Ambleside

Guided Walk

08:00

Age 5 & over

FREE

  • 1 day hiking