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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

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…

Go Ape Egg-venture
Easter Egg-venture at Go Ape Whinlatter

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

Runners
Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10

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

HIGHLANDER Lake District
HIGHLANDER Lake District

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

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,…

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…

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…

Glorious Gravel Logo
Lake District Gravel Epic

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

Kendal Colour Dash
Kendal Colour Dash

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

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 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…

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…

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.…

Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run
Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run

Please join us for our Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run. Starting on the road, between the clubhouse…

swimming in a dark lake
Wild Swimming - Thursday 21st May

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

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…

Lakeland 100 Recce Day
Lakeland 100 Recce Day

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

Adventure Triple Challenge
Adventure Triple Challenge

Join Rainbow Trust's Adventure Triple Challenge! A transformative day of cycling, paddling and…

PrevPrev
  • 1Wild Swimming Taster Session
  • 2Easter Egg-venture at Go Ape Whinlatter
  • 3Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10
  • 4HIGHLANDER Lake District
  • 5Introduction to Open Water Swimming
  • 6Lazonby 10k
  • 7Wasdale Wild Swimming Adventure
  • 8Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge
  • 9Lake District Gravel Epic
  • 10Kendal Colour Dash
  • 11Hoad Hill Harriers Summer 10K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run
  • 12Derwentwater Island Hop Swim
  • 13Altra 13 Valleys Ultra
  • 14Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 15Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run
  • 16Wild Swimming - Thursday 21st May
  • 17Lakeland 100 Recce Day
  • 18Lakeland 100 Recce Day
  • 19Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 20Wild Swimming - Thursday 18th June
  • 21Tadpole Round Swim Hike
  • 22Wild Swimming - Thursday 23rd July
  • 23Buckstones Jum & Waterfalls Wild Swim
  • 24Adventure Triple Challenge
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