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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

Hoad Hill Harriers Summer 10K and 1 Mile Fun Run
Hoad Hill Harriers Summer 10K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run

Join us for our summer 10K race and mile fun run. Starting on the road, between the clubhouse car…

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…

Lazonby 10k poster
Lazonby 10k

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

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…

Season Opener
Season Opener

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

wild swimmers with Swim the Lakes sat on the edge of a Lake District tarn
More Adventures in the Beautiful South

More Adventures in the Beautiful South is a 2-day swimming adventure in the beautiful South Lake…

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…

Sea Wall 7 miler route map
The Sea Wall 7 miler charity run

7.2 miler , multi terrain, charity run event

Swimmers
Epic Lakes Swim Coniston

Epic Lakes Swim Coniston takes place at Monk Coniston, at the North end of the lake. You can choose…

People running through the lake district
Lakes in a Day

Lakes in a Day Half Distance Run 23 miles, 850m ascent – Want the excitement of being part of Lakes…

Swimmers in Derwentwater with Swim the Lakes
Derwentwater Island Hop Swim

We indulge our obsession with swimming around islands on the Derwentwater Island Hop, and there is…

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…

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.…

Go Ape Egg-venture
Easter Egg-venture at Go Ape Grizedale

Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…

Ultra-Trail Grizedale
Ultra-Trail Grizedale

A trail running weekend with two unique races.

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…

Laker District - RunThrough Trails
Lake District Trail Running Festival 2026

53k and 23k trail running races.

Group Smiling getting into Windermere
Epic Lakes Swim Windermere

Epic Lakes Swim Windermere is the final event of the Epic Lakes Open Water Swim Series and takes…

Glorious Gravel Logo
Lake District Gravel Epic

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

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…

swimming in a dark lake
Wild Swimming Thursday 11th June

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

Sailing boats racing on Ullswater
Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Spectators' Cruise

Join our spectator cruise for the Ullswater Yacht Club's biggest event of the year, the Lord…

swimming in a dark lake
Wild Swimming - Thursday 23rd July

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

Man smiling at camera on bike
Ullswater Epicman Triathlon & Multisport

Ullswater Epicman Triathlon is based at Park Foot Holiday Park. You can choose either the Sprint,…

PrevPrev
  • 1Hoad Hill Harriers Summer 10K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run
  • 2Buttermere Swimble Wild Swim
  • 3Lazonby 10k
  • 4Wasdale Wild Swimming Adventure
  • 5Season Opener
  • 6More Adventures in the Beautiful South
  • 7Maverick Lake District X-Trail
  • 8The Sea Wall 7 miler charity run
  • 9Epic Lakes Swim Coniston
  • 10Lakes in a Day
  • 11Derwentwater Island Hop Swim
  • 12Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge
  • 13Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 14Easter Egg-venture at Go Ape Grizedale
  • 15Ultra-Trail Grizedale
  • 16Altra 13 Valleys Ultra
  • 17Lake District Trail Running Festival 2026
  • 18Epic Lakes Swim Windermere
  • 19Lake District Gravel Epic
  • 20Wild Swimming - Thursday 18th June
  • 21Wild Swimming Thursday 11th June
  • 22Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Spectators' Cruise
  • 23Wild Swimming - Thursday 23rd July
  • 24Ullswater Epicman Triathlon & Multisport
NextNext

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