Expanded running programme this year includes fell and trail races along with evening running programme.
There's going to be more running at this year's Keswick Mountain Festival over 16-20 May with the event including the Borrowdale Trail Run, the epic Latrigg Fell Race, running content in the Fell Theatre and a Salomon Inspired by Adventure evening.
We could blather on, but actually the press release from the festival organisers is a pretty comprehensive summary of what's happening, so here it is in full:
Latrigg Fell Rave
Kicking off the running programme on Wednesday 16 May will be the Latrigg Fell Race, one of the UK’s longest established fell races, which is now in its 38thyear. Organised by Keswick Athletic Club and covering a distance of 4.8km and 290m of ascent, the race starts out at 7.30pm from Lower Fitz Park in Keswick. The men's record, 16 minutes and 37 seconds, was set by local legend Kenny Stuart in 1984 and is thought by many to be unbeatable. Entry into the race is £5.
The same evening as the Latrigg Fell Race will also see the first Salomon Inspired by Adventure Evening, which will be hosted at the Rawnsley Centre in Keswick. Salomon sponsors some of the world’s best trail runners and two of them will be on hand to share their adventures and running tips, and take questions. Local hero Ricky Lightfoot and Tom Owens from the Saab Salomon Outdoor Team will be the main attractions during what should be an entertaining night for running enthusiasts. Tickets cost £8 each.
Andy Mouncey Lecture
On Friday 18th May at 6pm, ultra runner Andy Mouncey from Alpine Oasis will be speaking in the Berghaus Live for Adventure Theatre in the Festival Village, Crow Park. In 2003, Mouncey signed off a 17 year triathlon career (including multiple Ironman finishes) by setting new record stage times for the Enduroman Arch to Arc Challenge, a 300 miles solo triathlon linking London and Paris via an English Channel swim.
Since then, it’s all been about racing on two legs on the fells from his home in northern England, and over ultra-distances. Mouncey’s breakthrough race came in 2010, when he finished second in Lakeland 100 mile event. He is a qualified and experienced coach, author and a successful speaker for corporate and educational clients. Tickets are free but the organisers will be using the occasion to raise funds for the festival’s charity partner Nurture Lakeland.
Borrowdale Trail Run - 20km
Following the success of the first Borrowdale Trail Run in 2011, demand for this year’s 250 places is expected to be high. Taking place on Sunday 20 May, the run offers two distance options – 20km and 11km – on a course that takes in the some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery. Runners will reach the start of their run via a short ferry journey on Derwentwater and then follow a route through Borrowdale, regarded by many as one of the most attractive valleys in the UK.
The 20km run starts at 11.30 am, includes 538m of ascent and will be a good challenge for experienced trail runners. The 11km run, which starts at 11.45am, has been designed for less experienced runners or those who want to take part in their first proper trail run. Entry into the Borrowdale Trail run is £20 for those attached/affiliated to a UK Athletics’ registered club and £22 for unattached runners.
Lucy Scrase, director of Keswick Mountain Festival, comments:
“Every time we have introduced a new running element to the Keswick Mountain Festival, it has proved to be really successful. So, we have made sure that this year’s programme is bigger and more varied than ever. Alongside some great events for runners to tackle, we think that the speakers we have managed to secure are also going to be very popular. It’s fitting that the Borrowdale Trail Run will be the finale. It was one of the highlights last year and we’re sure that it will prove to be a huge success again in 2012.”
Now into its sixth year, Keswick Mountain Festival is set to deliver its most extensive programme to date in May. For more information about the overall festival and its individual events, visit www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk.
