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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…

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…

The image identifies the route of the road race
Walney Wind Cheetahs 10k race "Run the Wind"

Walney Wind Cheetahs in conjunction with ORSTED are hosting a 10km road race on the 5th of July…

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…

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…

Cartmel Racecourse
Cartmel Racecourse

Visit Cartmel Racecourse for our exciting 9 days of racing this 2026 season.

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 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…

Cartmel Race Days
Cartmel Race Days

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

race for life image
Carlisle Race for Life and Pretty Muddy

Run, jog or walk a 3k, 5k or 10k Race for Life event. Or if you fancy taking on a bit of mud, sign…

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…

Montane Lakeland 50 & 100
Montane Lakeland 50 & 100

The Lakeland 100 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' is the most spectacular long distance trail race…

Father Christmas
Christmas Grotto

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

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…

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…

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…

Grasmere Sports
Grasmere Sports

Now one of the most popular traditional events in the English Lake District, participants compete…

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…

Women Entering Ullswater
Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater

Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater takes place from Park Foot Holiday Park, near Pooley Bridge, which…

Cyclists with backdrop of fells
Cumbrian Cracker

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

Runners
M-Sport Charity 5k Race/ Junio 2.5K

‍♂️ 2026 M-Sport 5K & NEW Junior Race ‍♀️ The M-Sport 5K is back for 2026 – and this year we're…

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.…

Boomin Bingo kendal
Boomin Bingo

Get ready for a high-energy night of Boomin' Bingo – brought to you by PC Roadshows – where classic…

Swimmers
Chillswim Ullswater 7.5 Miles End to End

Chillswim Ullswater 2026 will take place on Saturday 11th July at Parkfoot Holiday Park on the…

PrevPrev
  • 1Hoad Hill Harriers Summer 10K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run
  • 2The Swim to Devil's Chimney
  • 3Walney Wind Cheetahs 10k race "Run the Wind"
  • 4Outdoor Swim Safety & Lifesaving for Swimmers
  • 5Maverick Lake District X-Trail
  • 6Cartmel Racecourse
  • 7Tadpole Round Swim Hike
  • 8More Adventures in the Beautiful South
  • 9Cartmel Race Days
  • 10Carlisle Race for Life and Pretty Muddy
  • 11A Welcome in the Hills: Refugees in Cumberland in the 1930s and 1940s
  • 12Montane Lakeland 50 & 100
  • 13Christmas Grotto
  • 14Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Spectators' Cruise
  • 15Altra 13 Valleys Ultra
  • 16Ullswater Wild Isle Swim
  • 17Grasmere Sports
  • 18Wild Swimming - Thursday 13th August
  • 19Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater
  • 20Cumbrian Cracker
  • 21M-Sport Charity 5k Race/ Junio 2.5K
  • 22Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 23Boomin Bingo
  • 24Chillswim Ullswater 7.5 Miles End to End
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