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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

Swimrun Coniston 2026
Swimrun Coniston 2026

Swim and run through some of the Lake District's most iconic and varied terrain. Athletes traverse…

People night time canoeing under stars with a headtorch beam
Dark Sky Canoeing - Coniston Water

Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across beautiful Coniston…

Army Benevolent Fund Charity Raceday
Army Benevolent Fund Charity Raceday

Enjoy a Super Sunday at the Races Come and join us for what promises to be an exciting day of Jump…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

Hospice at Home Raceday
Hospice at Home Raceday

AFTERNOON JUMP RACING See out November in style and join us for a Tuesday afternoon of racing and…

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.…

New Year's Day Roast Lunch
New Year's Day Roast Lunch at The Borrowdale Hotel

Start the year as you mean to go on with a delicious New Year's Day lunch in the Lake District at…

Corporate Sports Day
St John's Hospice Corporate Sports Day

Gather your colleagues, form a team of 5, and prepare for a day of fun, friendly competition, and a…

Afternoon Jump Racing
Weatherby's Graduation Chase Raceday

PAY YOUR RESPECTS THROUGH RACING Falling close to Remembrance Day, our Afternoon Racing on…

New Year's Dancing
New Year's Eve Party at The Borrowdale Hotel

Celebrate New Year's Eve in the Lake District with an unforgettable evening of fine dining, live…

Colin Parker Raceday
Colin Parker Raceday

Where Racing's Greats Take Centre Stage Join us for our feature Jumps meeting of the season,…

Paddleboard the Lakes
Windermere GB Sup Race

Saturday – Sprint races held on the River Leven at the Swan Hotel Marina – On the water 10-12.30…

New Year's Eve Party – Midnight at the Post Office
New Year's Eve Party – Midnight at the Post Office

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S EVE - THE HALSTON WAY 31ST DECEMBER 2026 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM Choose your…

Jump Season Opener
Jump Season Opener

THE JUMPS ARE BACK It's the moment that all Cumbrian racing fans have been waiting for. Come and…

Coniston 14
Coniston 14 road race

14 mile road race

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…

Man running with dog on a waist harness
Lakeland Paws canicross series

The 26/27 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…

Cyclists with backdrop of fells
Cumbrian Cracker

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

Canoeing at night on Wastwater with red glow sticks on the back of the canoes
Dark Sky Canoeing - Wastwater

Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across the spectacular…

Father Christmas
Christmas Grotto

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

Boomin Bingo kendal
Boomin Bingo

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

PrevPrev
  • 1Swimrun Coniston 2026
  • 2Dark Sky Canoeing - Coniston Water
  • 3Army Benevolent Fund Charity Raceday
  • 4Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 5Altra 13 Valleys Ultra
  • 6Maverick Lake District X-Trail
  • 7Lakes in a Day
  • 8Hospice at Home Raceday
  • 9Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 10New Year's Day Roast Lunch at The Borrowdale Hotel
  • 11St John's Hospice Corporate Sports Day
  • 12Weatherby's Graduation Chase Raceday
  • 13New Year's Eve Party at The Borrowdale Hotel
  • 14Colin Parker Raceday
  • 15Windermere GB Sup Race
  • 16New Year's Eve Party – Midnight at the Post Office
  • 17Jump Season Opener
  • 18Coniston 14 road race
  • 19Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run
  • 20Lakeland Paws canicross series
  • 21Cumbrian Cracker
  • 22Dark Sky Canoeing - Wastwater
  • 23Christmas Grotto
  • 24Boomin Bingo
NextNext

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