Lake District Running Festival | Grasmere 24hr Ultra

Who is it for?

Whatever distance or difficulty, there's an event for you. Choose to run or walk in the valleys and local peaks in the Grasmere Gallop trail and Nordic Walking events. Alternatively, you can embark on the OMM Lite Trail quest which will take you as far and as high as you want to go.

Outdoor sports

Something for everyone!

• Trail runs
• Fell runs
• Trail Quest orienteering
• Nordic Walking
• Guided Walking
• Fun Run
• NEW! 24hr challenge
   

Free talks

A range of free, inspirational talks all weekend, eg:

• Navigation for the fells
• Running psychology
• Conservation
• Kit repair
   

Workshops

Boost your running and mountain skills.

Workshops are interactive and usually held outside in the sports field. Plus, there will be opportunities across the weekend to join in, eg:

• Using poles on the fells
• Running technique workshop
• Take your navigation to the next level
• Ultimate tent workshop
   

Wellbeing

Keeping you in top condition for the trails.

A weekend pounding the trails can be tough on the body. To help with recovery the on-site massage tent and wellbeing workshops will keep you in top condition ready for another day, eg:

• Morning mobility sessions
• Yoga
• Sports massage
   

Food

Refuel your way after a day on the trails!

The event kitchen will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The massive marquee hosts a full professional kitchen cooking quality, homemade and healthy food. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be available.

The popular FellBeck Farm bar will be back serving some excellent real ales, wines and soft drinks. (The Fell Runner IPA is recommended).

Alternative options include wood-fired pizzas from the Love Pizza van, ice cream and freshly brewed coffee from the Little Blue Pig coffee van.

Kids

Inspiring the next generation to explore the trails and fells!

There’s plenty for non-competitors to do. First, head over to the British Orienteering stand and send your little ones off into the navigation maze - always entertaining. Then head over to the face painting and off into Grasmere on the village orienteering course.

Finally, the highlight of the weekend -the kids' Teddy Dash run.

Exhibitors

An exciting event village to wander around.

Only quality, relevant exhibitors that add value to your experience are allowed.

Title sponsors OMM will be out in force with an exciting display of the OMM brand and history. OMM is one of the top brands leading the way in running kit innovation. Their product developers love a tech’y chat about gear so pick their brains and find out where running equipment development is heading in the future.

GPX route

The route is displayed on the map above.

How it works

• 24-hour ultra challenge on a scenic 5km loop around Grasmere, surrounded by dramatic Lake District fells
• Run solo or in teams of up to four, with one runner on the course at a time
• Simple objective: complete as many laps as possible within 24 hours
• Fully waymarked route starting and finishing at Grasmere Sports Field
• Course follows the east side of the lake, crosses the rocky shoreline, joins the lakeside trail, and loops back via the western shore
• Runners must complete at least one lap every hour to stay in the race
• Missing the hourly cut-off results in elimination, adding a strategic challenge
• All 24-hour finishers receive a bespoke medal, free event photos, and live GPS tracking for supporters
• Self-supported event with hot and cold water available at the changeover area
• A true test of endurance, pacing, teamwork, and determination in a stunning Lake District setting
• You cannot have a pacer on the route
• You can have crew; one crew member in the aid tent

Event HQ

Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show
The Showfield, Stock Lane
Grasmere
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 9SL
UK

Campsite

This campsite is arguably the best camping location in the UK!

Based at the Grasmere Sports Ground in the centre of Grasmere, you’ll be surrounded by 2000ft+ fells in every direction and a 5-minute walk from the historic village of Grasmere.

After a long day on the trails, the event village has everything you need. Enjoy some home-cooked food and a chilled drink, listen to a tech talk or sit back and admire the views with friends.

Details

• Camp for the whole weekend in Grasmere for £20 per adult + under 18s are free!
• Camping (including caravans and campervans) is not included in your race entry fee but can be added when booking.
• Bookings for the full weekend (not single nights) but you can arrive on Friday or Saturday morning.
• Everyone needs to be off the site by 5pm Sunday evening.
• No electric hookups are available.
• The friendly volunteers will greet you at the gate and show you where to pitch up.
• Tents will be pitched in the designated camping field. This is separate from the car park but no further than 100m away.
• Campervans under 6m in length will be parked on grass.
• Campervans 6m or over in length and caravans will be parked on hardstanding.
• Caravan owners may be asked to park their car separately.

Showers

Fully heated, private shower cubicles are available for £10 per person. 

These are perfect for washing away the trail dust and grime ready to grab some food and relax. These passes are non-transferable between individuals but cover you for showers all weekend. Under 16s are free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult with a shower pass.

Grasmere Village

The local village of Grasmere, just a few minutes walk from the festival site, has a host of shops, pubs and cafes for you to explore whilst enjoying the festival. This includes Grasmere’s famous Gingerbread shop, which has been trading since 1854.

Lakes nearby

Motorised boats are not allowed on Grasmere or Rydal Water so they offer tranquil walks along their shore paths or a refreshing dip, if you’re brave enough. Paddleboarding is allowed on Grasmere, but not Rydal Water.

History and culture

Dove Cottage, on the outskirts of Grasmere, was the final resting place of the famous wordsmith, William Wordsworth. The Wordsworth Museum, near Dove Cottage, showcases a collection of the poet’s work and is a short walk or drive from the event. 

Included

• Bespoke Grasmere 24 finisher medal for all solo runners and teams completing the full 24 hours
• Free professional event photographs
• Live GPS tracking so friends and family can follow your progress
• Fully waymarked 5km looped course
• Access to a changeover/event centre area
• Hot and cold water available at the event hub
• Secure but accessible bag storage

Optional extras

• Camping, live-in vehicles and showers can be booked in advance

Not Included

• This is a self-supported event, so runners need to bring their own nutrition and kit

A truly wonderful festival of everything outdoors, fun, runs, walks, team building, learning, sharing experiences, food, friendship, making memories - showcasing everything that's good about the great outdoors. Steve

I'd like to send a massive thank you to all the crew who made this event so amazing! From entering the campground to finishing the marathon, and in particular the support from the crew at the feed stations and dotted along the course... Just fantastic! Nicola

A superb atmosphere around the showground, with so much going on. Duncan

A great weekend. It was our first time and we loved it, really chilled and great fun. We will be back next year. Yvonne

I’ve done lots of trail races, but I’ve never done one that was as big as this! The event village was more like a music festival, tents, camper vans everywhere, an enormous marquee, which included a bar and loads of food/equipment stalls. If anyone has ever done a Tough Mudder, the briefing was like one of theirs, funny and informative, and even included a warm-up with someone dressed as a red fox 😂  A truly great event and one that I’d recommend for those wishing to give trail running a go. Austin H

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

Teams

Teams of 4.

Entry fees