Adventure Inspiration from the Kendal Mountain Festival + Races & Global Records: This Week's Trail Tally

Kendal Mountain Festival © Visit Kendal

Chasing Trails: Week 47

After so many weekends packed with races and challenges, this week, we’re looking at the inspiring activities and art from the Kendal Mountain Festival, as well as saying a big “well done!” to those who took on the Kendal Skyline Ultra and Kendal Trail Run. Plus, well done to Ioana for her global success!

Adventure & Outdoor Pursuits Celebrated at the Kendal Mountain Festival

The Kendal Mountain Festival took place last weekend, showcasing a fantastic series of outdoor films, inspiring speakers, and some great running opportunities, too. We definitely felt the FOMO as trail runners, climbers, mountain bikers, hikers, kayakers, and so many more outdoor lovers came together to celebrate the outdoor pursuits we all love, but also to reflect on how the industry of outdoor sports is developing.

One of the highlights was viewing a very special trail running film, Off Course, which tells the story of two ultra runners launching into the challenge of motherhood. Stephanie Case and Sophie Grant are showcased throughout their ups and downs, including addressing the often invisible struggle of infertility and pregnancy loss. Off Course is now touring and can also be watched on the Kendal Mountain Player through the festival website.

From watching running stories (and beyond) on screen, to running on the best Lake District trails: the festival also hosted the Kendal Trail Run (10 km with 250 m of ascent) and the Kendal Skyline Ultra (50 km with 900 m of ascent). More on them below.

Kendal Mountain Festival Opening Ceremony 

Jessie Rowlands and Josh Beaumont Win the Kendal Skyline Ultra

On Saturday, the Kendal Mountain Festival and Ourea Events presented the Kendal Skyline Ultra - a 50k race taking in the scenic views around Kendal and offering a great introduction to mountain ultras. Jessie Rowlands claimed the victory in the women’s race, finishing in 4:17:02 and setting a new course record. Behind her were Hannah Lucas (4:18:05) and Katie Ironside (4:58:45). In the men’s race, it was Joshua Beaumont who claimed the win and a new course record in 3:49:20. Lewis Bowness (3:52:49) was second and Edoardo Rossano third (3:53:44).

Those looking for a shorter, but no less sharp challenge, could sign up to the Kendal Trail Run, a pure trail event on the routes used by Lake District locals, with 10k covered in total, taking in views across Morecambe Bay and the Lyth Valley from Scout Scar. Congratulations to all runners and to the podium finishers: the women’s race saw Katherine Maltby take the win in 48:35, followed by Hannah Thomas (54:47) and Victoria Thompson (55:14); in the men’s, Matthew Knowles was first in 41:25, then Tim Lamont second (42:42) and Callum Davidson third (43:04). 

Male and female podiums at Kendal Skyline Ultra © Kendal Skyline Instagram

Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series Record for Ioana Barbu

Beyond the Ultimate run a fantastic set of worldwide challenges as part of the Global Race Series. Runners can test themselves across the Arctic Circle in the Ice Ultra, in the Amazon Rainforest during the Jungle Ultra, in the Namib desert, and in the Tian Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan. These are all multi-day stage races totalling 230 km each, through very different terrain and conditions, testing grit, fitness, but also logistical preparation and long-term determination. 

Ioana Barbu has set a record as the first British Woman to complete the Global Race Series, also being only the second ever woman to do so. She is also the first person, male or female, to complete the Global Race Series, as well as the Highland Ultra (a 125 km event in Scotland) and the For Rangers Ultra (a 230 km race in Kenya) in a 10-month period.

Her impressive results include two wins (the Ice Ultra and the Highland Ultra), a second place at the Desert Ultra, two third place positions (the Jungle Ultra and the For Rangers Ultra), and a fourth place in the Mountain Ultra. What a feat, congratulations, Ioana!

Ioana competing in the Ice Ultra 

While some of the races are winding down, it was brilliant to see the diversity of discussions, films, and activities available at the Kendal Mountain Festival last weekend, providing so much inspiration for the year to come. I particularly love that we can all watch most of the films on their website - and I have a long list ahead of me!

Alecsa Stewart