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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

Swimmer
Chillswim Windermere 11 Miles End to End

Long distance swimming isn't just about being in the water, it's about the journey. Swimming the…

Swimmer
Chillswim Coniston 5.25 Miles End to End

Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim 2026 will take place on Saturday 20th June. Long distance…

Glorious Gravel Logo
Lake District Gravel Epic

We have three route options for this glorious off road adventure around Coniston and the Grizedale…

Wild Swimmers in Rydal Water with Swim the Lakes
Rydal Island and Caves Swim

Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…

Wild Swimmers with swim the Lakes, Ambleside
The Swim to Devil's Chimney

The Swim to Devils Chimney is another one of our favourite island-hopping adventures, this time on…

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…

Wild Swimmers with swim the Lakes, Ambleside
Buckstones Jum & Waterfalls Wild Swim

The Buckstones Jum and Waterfalls swim takes us just down the road from our Ambleside base to the…

Refugee children in dance costumes gathered at Brampton.
A Welcome in the Hills: Refugees in Cumberland in the 1930s and 1940s

Join Rob David at Muncaster Castle on Tuesday 25 August for a fascinating talk on a little-known…

Whinlatter Forest Trail Runs
Whinlatter Forest Trail Runs

10km and half marathon trail runs within Whinlatter Forest

image of climber on a rock
Arc'teryx Climb Academy Lake District

The Arc'teryx Climb Academy Lake District returns May 23 – 25, 2026. The Arc'teryx Climb Academy…

swimming in a dark lake
Wild Swimming - Thursday 13th August

Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…

Swimmer
Chillswim Coniston 5.25 Miles End to End

Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim 2026 will take place on Saturday 20th June. Long distance…

Wild Swimmers in Rydal Water with Swim the Lakes
Rydal Island and Caves Swim

Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…

swimming in a dark lake
Wild Swimming - Thursday 18th June

Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…

Cyclists with backdrop of fells
Cumbrian Cracker

The Cumbrian Cracker is one of the original Lakeland cycle sportives, with Grasmere Village hosting…

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…

HIGHLANDER Lake District
HIGHLANDER Lake District

Embark on a multi-day hiking adventure through the breathtaking Lake District. With every detail -…

Cross Bay Half-Marathon
Cross Bay Half-Marathon

We are so excited to announce the return of the Cross Bay Half-Marathon on Saturday 4th July 2026.…

running logo
Lake District Running Festival

A packed weekend celebrating off-road running. The festival aims to bring together trail runners,…

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,…

wild swimmers in the Lake District with Swim the Lakes
Wasdale Wild Swimming Adventure

Wasdale Wild Swimming Adventure – Experience wild swimming in Wasdale which offers adventurous…

Flat Season Opener
Flat Season Opener

Join us on Monday 18 May 2026 at Carlisle Racecourse for afternoon flat racing. Our first fixture…

Runners
Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10

The Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10 starts and finishes at Jenkins Field in Glenridding.…

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…

PrevPrev
  • 1Chillswim Windermere 11 Miles End to End
  • 2Chillswim Coniston 5.25 Miles End to End
  • 3Lake District Gravel Epic
  • 4Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 5The Swim to Devil's Chimney
  • 6Outdoor Swim Safety & Lifesaving for Swimmers
  • 7Buckstones Jum & Waterfalls Wild Swim
  • 8A Welcome in the Hills: Refugees in Cumberland in the 1930s and 1940s
  • 9Whinlatter Forest Trail Runs
  • 10Arc'teryx Climb Academy Lake District
  • 11Wild Swimming - Thursday 13th August
  • 12Chillswim Coniston 5.25 Miles End to End
  • 13Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 14Wild Swimming - Thursday 18th June
  • 15Cumbrian Cracker
  • 16Ullswater Wild Isle Swim
  • 17HIGHLANDER Lake District
  • 18Cross Bay Half-Marathon
  • 19Lake District Running Festival
  • 20Introduction to Open Water Swimming
  • 21Wasdale Wild Swimming Adventure
  • 22Flat Season Opener
  • 23Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10
  • 24Lakeland 100 Recce Day
NextNext

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