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  1. Traditional Lakeland Sports
    Traditional Sports

You are here: Home > What's On > Challenge Events > Traditional Sports

Traditional Sports

From horse leaping and pipe-smoking to open-air wrestling and sheep shows, the choice of peculiar sports is remarkable – and in some cases, very old: the Egremont Crab Fair has been running since 1267, while the sport of hound trailing began in the middle of the 18th century. Test your fell running fitness at the annual Grasmere Gallop, or try some ghyll scrambling. Get down and dirty with a bout of Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, held at local shows throughout the summer months. Most of Cumbria’s traditional sports are rooted firmly in the countryside, and are designed to celebrate the changing seasons and a host of agricultural pursuits. Although that doesn’t explain why there should be a competition to crown the world’s biggest liar or who can pull the best face…
 

Highlights

A man being dragged along by his dog on a woodland trail,
Lakeland Paws canicross series

The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…

Northern Athletics
Northern 12&6 Stage Road Relays & Young Athletes 5k Championships

Northern championships running relays event for Northern Athletics affiliated clubs including young…

Promotional poster for a triathlon event titled "Bikes, Boots and Boats" supporting Turning Tides, a homelessness charity. The design features a sceni
Bikes, Boots, Boats – A Unique Triathlon Event

Sign up to take on this unique triathlon event, while raising funds for Turning Tides, a…

A man running along a rural road with a backdrop of mountains
Haweswater Half Marathon

A scenic road half marathon on quiet undulating roads passing along the shores of Haweswater in…

Lazonby 10k poster
Lazonby 10k

A 10 kilometre race around the area of Lazonby finishing with refreshments and prizes.

Father Christmas
Christmas Grotto

Father Christmas returns to Holker Hall this December! Meet Father Christmas and the Elves at…

Maverick Lake District X-Trail
Maverick Lake District X-Trail

Come and give Trail running in the Lake District a try, with its rugged fells, stunning glacial…

Lakeland 100 Recce Day
Lakeland 100 Recce Day

Recce run for the Lakeland 100 2026 between Buttermere & Dalemain. This run is open to competitors…

Ultra-Trail Grizedale
Ultra-Trail Grizedale

A trail running weekend with two unique races.

St Herberts Festival of Running!
St Herbert's Festival of Running

Fast, flat and inclusive 10km running event along the Keswick to Threlked railway. 3km fun run for…

Kendal Colour Dash
Kendal Colour Dash

Run 5km this April whilst supporting and celebrating your local hospice in its 40th anniversary…

Altra 13 Valleys Ultra
Altra 13 Valleys Ultra

13 Valleys celebrates the 13 unique valleys of the Lake District National Park which are part of…

Cartmel Race Days
Cartmel Race Days

For an unforgettable fun-filled day out, Cartmel Races is hard to beat. Perfect for family, friends…

Route Image.
Bridekirk Dovenby 10k

10km race from school around the quiet country roads in the picturesque Bridekirk and Tallentire…

wild swimmers with Swim the Lakes Ambleside
Wild Swimming Taster Session

Try wild swimming in the Lake District. All you need to do is book, bring your swimming costume and…

Season Opener
Season Opener

For an unforgettable fun-filled day out, Cartmel Races is hard to beat. Perfect for family, friends…

Swimmers enjoying the Lake District with Swim the Lakes
Ullswater Wild Isle Swim

If you love wild swimming around beautiful islands then you will love our Wild Isle…

Lakeland 100 Recce Day
Lakeland 100 Recce Day

Recce run for the 2026 Lakeland 50 & 100 from Pooley Bridge to Ambleside. This run is only open for…

Fred Whitton Challenge Logo
Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge

One of the UK's most revered and gruelling cycling sportives. Known as "The Daddy of them all" by…

Swimmers enjoying trips with Swim the Lakes
Tadpole Round Swim Hike

Discover the Tadpole Round Swim Hike—an unforgettable adventure at the heart of the Buttermere…

Wild swimmers with Swim the Lakes, Ambleside
Outdoor Swim Safety & Lifesaving for Swimmers

This one-day course will give you an insight into safer swimming practices and help build practical…

Two runners, heading down the grass from the castle
Kendal Castel Sprint Triathlon

You'll start with a 400m swim in the pool and then transition to your bike for an out and back…

Swimmers in Buttermere with Swim the Lakes
Buttermere Swimble Wild Swim

The Buttermere Swimble – The Buttermere Valley is surely one of the most beautiful in the Lake…

swimmers stood on shoreline with Swim the Lakes
Introduction to Open Water Swimming

Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…

PrevPrev
  • 1Lakeland Paws canicross series
  • 2Northern 12&6 Stage Road Relays & Young Athletes 5k Championships
  • 3Bikes, Boots, Boats – A Unique Triathlon Event
  • 4Haweswater Half Marathon
  • 5Lazonby 10k
  • 6Christmas Grotto
  • 7Maverick Lake District X-Trail
  • 8Lakeland 100 Recce Day
  • 9Ultra-Trail Grizedale
  • 10St Herbert's Festival of Running
  • 11Kendal Colour Dash
  • 12Altra 13 Valleys Ultra
  • 13Cartmel Race Days
  • 14Bridekirk Dovenby 10k
  • 15Wild Swimming Taster Session
  • 16Season Opener
  • 17Ullswater Wild Isle Swim
  • 18Lakeland 100 Recce Day
  • 19Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge
  • 20Tadpole Round Swim Hike
  • 21Outdoor Swim Safety & Lifesaving for Swimmers
  • 22Kendal Castel Sprint Triathlon
  • 23Buttermere Swimble Wild Swim
  • 24Introduction to Open Water Swimming
NextNext

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