The Lake District Running Festival is a collaborative event between OMM and Grasmere Gallop with a 50-year heritage.
Starting as two separate events, the OMM and Grasmere Gallop came together in 2022 for one epic weekend of fun in the outdoors.
The festival aims to provide a great weekend for competitors & families looking to move beyond the road.
The Gallop was first launched by local hotelier Robin Lees in 1985 to raise funds for charities including Mountain Rescue and a local hospice. The event was then taken over by the British Heart Foundation in 1997. Over the years, the organisation of the event has changed hands but each custodian has kept a close dedication to raising money for charity.
In 2011, the National Trust Ranger team in Grasmere took on the event to encourage visitors and locals alike to get outdoors and closer to our amazing landscape whilst raising funds to support the great conservation work taking place in the valley. They also added cake for every competitor at the finish line. A tradition that still stands today!
The event has also grown over time, welcoming the first Nordic Walking event in 2013 and then later in 2022, a marathon distance. In 2019, local trail running events company Pure Outdoors Events took over the organising reins continuing to support the Grasmere Red Squirrel Conservation Group #runforthereds.
From 2022 Grasmere Gallop teamed up with the OMM Festival to create the event you see today.
The OMM Lite began in 2013 to bring a navigational challenge to new audiences.
Inspired by its sister event, The Original Mountain Marathon known as “The OMM”, held each year at the end of October since 1968, the OMM Lite challenges the same skills (navigation and checkpoint finding) but with (hopefully) better weather.
In this version of the event, you don’t have to carry a tent or overnight supplies, meaning you can travel faster in the hills before returning at the end of the day to Grasmere Sports Field.
Grasmere Village
The local village of Grasmere, just a few minutes walk from the festival site, has a host of shops, pubs & cafes for you to explore whilst enjoying the festival. This includes, Grasmere’s famous Gingerbread shop, which has been trading since 1854.
Read More: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/places-to-go/explore-grasmere-and-rydal
Lakes* Nearby
*We know there’s only one official lake in the Lake District (Bassenthwaite Lake), but both Grasmere and Rydal Water are within walking distance from the festival site. Although, you will have to go a little further to reach Rydal Water.
Since motorised boats are not allowed on either body of water, 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.
Read More: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/water/access-to-the-lakes
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.
Read More: https://wordsworth.org.uk/
