It was a gorgeous sunny weekend in Grasmere for the Lake District Running Festival this year. Each year is unique to those who came along, so we want to recap 2026’s highlights!
This was the first year that the OMM Lite and Grasmere Gallop events joined to become the festival, which means we can take the event even further in the future- you can read more about it here.
New classics and good causes
We got to introduce a very special new event this year, the Grasmere 24 hour Ultra. We didn’t know whether this would be a popular race- and we were proven very quickly that it was!
Teams made of friends and families joined together to take on the Ultra together. For many, this was their first ever ultra, and some were even taking it on solo. Everyone who took part put in a commendable performance.
There were some inspirational stories in there, one of which was the team coming third in the group category. Jamie Burt, Luke Small, Ryan Ponder and Stuart Russell took on the sizeable challenge in support of Bone Cancer Research Trust. It’s lovely to see such a great effort for a great cause.
We also did something a little fun this year… at the start of the Ultra, we handed out a few digital cameras for teams to document their experience of the race. Here are some of the pictures they took of 24 hours to remember!
Feeling inspired?
We had some brilliant talks and workshops on this year, and the turnout for these showed us how much you enjoyed them. Every year we hope to bring you talks that leave you feeling a bit more inspired – and perhaps even empowered – to get out in the mountains and push yourself to take on something new and challenging.
Harry Firth was kind enough to join us this year to discuss his experience setting the FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the Steve Parr round. Harry went on to run in the OMM Lite, as well as the 24hr Ultra, chatting with runners to find out their stories behind the race, which was a great perspective to see the inner workings of the runners! We all see those runners going around for loop after loop, but it’s rare to get to hear what gets the individuals through each lap.
Another talk which drew a healthy audience (to the point that the tent just about reached capacity!) was the Q&A between experienced Ultra/Mountain runner and coach Marcus Scotney and the incredible Ultra runners Carol Morgan and Anna Troup.
A Grasmere local, Anna Troup is best known for her wins at Lakeland 100 and the Arc of Attrition, age group podiums at UTMB and outright wins at the Spine Race and the FKT on the Pennine Way. Carol Morgan shares a similar incredible ultra and mountain-running track record as a multiple-time Spine Race winner who has completed events including the Dragon’s Back Race and Tor des Géants and recently completed a solo, unsupported mid-winter Bob Graham Round, becoming the only woman to complete it in under 24 hours. It was brilliant to hear from these two incredible women, and we hope those who attended came away feeling more capable and ready to take on their next personal challenge.
A Fantastic weekend
Between all the activities, the base camp had a lovely bustling energy, and everyone seemed to be buzzing to be back surrounded by the green rolling fells of Grasmere for a catch-up and relax.
Ice creams and drinks were flowing- from The Little Blue Pig’s morning espressos to the OMM Bar’s local beers and ciders. Families, dogs, friends and long-lost running partners were reunited, and it was another successful, sunny festival weekend.
Let’s make it even better next year!
Do you know a good story from this year’s event? Is there someone you think deserves more recognition? We’d love to hear it! Reach out to the @lakedistrict.runningfestival Instagram and let us know.