Adventure, atmosphere, and action – a weekend at Keswick Mountain Festival 

Sports events of all duration and ability, and an impressive variety of endurance athletes and adventurers giving live talks, meet fairground rides, live music, bars and a distinct party atmosphere as soon as the last people cross the finish line.

Where else could you be watching a local band perform a ska infused Eurythmics cover, still in your running gear having just done your first trail run? I don’t know of another place, and I’m glad I found this one.

The festival is set in Crow Park, Keswick, on the shore of Derwentwater and only a few minutes’ walk into the town centre. An outdoor activities festival first and foremost, the start and finish line is the centre piece of the festival, and it’s from here that participants set off on the majority of the 20 strong events.

It was here that I gathered with nearly 200 other people at 3pm on Saturday afternoon to set off in my wave of one of three 5K trail runs. Graded easy, it didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous – but the crowd was a blend of club runners, fun runners and everyone in between, and the lively race compere and starter, Graham, kept our spirits high whilst we waited in the pen to set off.

Plenty of events to choose from

There was an impressive choice of events to choose from; the hardy could rise before the sun for the dawn run or open the event with the Skiddaw mountain evening run – alongside a more comfortable 5 and 10K before working up to ultra marathon level. Alongside this, two cycle sportives, a number of hikes and several swim events formed the three-day schedule of activity.

I knew my place, and that a 5K incorporating some elevation felt like my limit, but it actually did turn out to be a flat and fast route that I found relatively comfortable. I absolutely loved it, a woodland stretch took you out to the shores of Derwentwater, where you do the second half of the run along the lakeside looking out to Catbells and the Newlands horseshoe. The atmosphere was incredibly fun…from the marshals shouting encouragement and showing you the way, the obligatory chap in a dinosaur costume overtaking, to the woman in front of me who I heard telling her mate that “the faster we run, the sooner we’ll be at the bar.”

Every single person’s name is celebrated by Graham as they cross the finish line, where else do you get that attention to detail? We could hear his distinctive cries of encouragement up the road at our campsite throughout the weekend!

And whilst the festival is designed to give you the opportunity to participate in group outdoor events, embracing and celebrating a collective love for the mountains – there is so much more to experience without you needing a race number.

There is a huge variety of stands with outdoor products, gifts and activities galore – how we made it home without buying the Thule bike racks we’ve been talking about since our trip to France last year, I do not know… maybe it’s the fact we haven’t bought the bikes yet?! Should you be in the market for it, you can spend a considerable amount of money stocking up your kit room, or on your next adventure. Event sponsors Adidas Terrex were even loaning trail trainers for the events so you didn’t have to get yours dirty.

It’s the unexpected things

One of my favourite things about any festival has always been the unexpected finds; a tiny tent with the best music you’ve heard all weekend, stumbling upon a mac and cheese stall when you’ve lost all your friends – well this weekend I especially enjoyed the addition of a British Army brass band – playing the Prodigy. I love the Prodigy, and genuinely believe that most songs are improved with a brass section, so what a way to build excitement before heading to the start line. Perfect.

This all sounds very geared up to myself at this point, but we were there as a family and therefore there’s only so much luxury outdoor wear you can look at before your 8 year old is bored out of their mind.

Cue the best big wheel in the world – sorry London Eye, but I’d much rather be looking back at Skiddaw in the sun and out to Catbells thank you very much. Tom captured the moment perfectly… “Mummy, this has made my life!”. We love a view in this family…

For the older kids there’s axe throwing, a climbing wall and an assault course, however we spent the financial equivalent of some Thule bike racks on the fairground rides before going for a sit down and some snacks in the sun.

The highlight for our son was the music; a main outdoor stage down by the big wheel, a small covered DJ stage, and the small covered campervan stage. As you can imagine, when the rain started around teatime these spaces got quite full, but it was still a comfortable space to be with young children – they were commanding the dance floor.

There were also three bars dotted about to accompany your dancing – you pay for your plastic pint cup which is then replaced with a fresh one, and you can take it home with you – just one of many environmentally conscious decisions that are evident across the event.

Our favourites were local band, The Kasios, who blended pop, R n B and indie with ska beats and a three-piece brass section, so as you’ve probably guessed, I was in my element. Listening to a ska-ed up Brown Eyed Girl with a pint of Theakstons Primetime lager in my hand, my favourite Lakeland mountains around us and my little man dancing alongside us is a memory that will last a long time.

Food, glorious food

It would be remiss of me not to mention the food options, which were plentiful. Suffice to say that Chris had three different meals because he couldn’t choose, and there wasn’t a boiled burger in sight. A fabulous variety of cuisines notably catering to different diets, not as an add on – well done team. And a big thank you to Dusty Dogs, Yardies and Senor Paella for filling our bellies in the best of ways.

Whilst we did and saw so much, there’s so much we didn’t do – I would have loved to have listened to Jasmin Paris talk about completing the Barkley Marathons, but we just couldn’t make it work this time. The range of speakers that were scheduled to talk were impressive, you’d be sure to find inspiration no matter what your interests are.

I didn’t get in the sauna, and I would have liked to try one of the yoga sessions, but this and more will be waiting for us when we indefinitely come back next year. I’ll be getting some practice in between now and then, because having spent the last few days glued to the festival channels on social media – I want a place in the 10K run, and I think I’ve got it in me.

There’s something about being surrounded by people with a passion for the outdoors, friendly competition but not elitism, no idiots and completely inclusive – just good people having a good time in the most stunning of places, that has kept me on a high all week.

It’s been on my to do list for years, and now I expect it will be on my must do list every year. And I would recommend you put it on yours.

The details

• The festival is free access until 5pm (with the exception of the tent talks) so it’s a great way to soak in the atmosphere without the expense if you didn’t have long to visit.
• Ticket prices vary – sporting events cost £50 and with this you get full access to the whole weekend including the talks.
• Children under 10 go free all weekend.
• Accommodation in Keswick gets booked up quickly, we booked our campsite in September last year (and I can’t recommend Castlerigg Farm enough!) – but bus travel to other towns is reliable, regular and reasonably priced. Friends of ours stayed in Cockermouth and had regular buses back to where they were staying. Worth noting if you’re planning to come.
• Camping is available on site.
• Don’t be deterred by logistics of doing an event and then being at an event, or coming alone – there are bag drops, a triathlon changing room, and the friendliest of marshals to support you should you need it.
• Accessibility is front and centre – there are SEND friendly events and accessible ticket options.
• Dogs are welcome, as are camping chairs – come along, get comfy and take it all in.
• Find out more at keswickmountainfestival.co.uk.

See you next year!

By Amy Blackburn

Image credits – dreamstime