History

A few things you may not know about the Grasmere Gallop…

• The Gallop was first launched by local hotelier Robin Lees in 1985 to raise funds for charities including Mountain Rescue and a local hospice.
• When Robin Lees stepped down in 1997 the event was taken over by the British Heart Foundation.
• Cumbria Wildlife Trust ran the Grasmere Gallop in collaboration with the British Heart Foundation for a couple of years.
• In 2009 the British Heart Foundation stopped running the Gallop as they no longer has the capacity for it.
• The event did not take place in 2010 which disappointed many staunch ‘Gallopers’ from near and far.
• In 2011 the National Trust Ranger team in Grasmere thought this could be a wonderful opportunity to encourage visitors and locals alike to get outdoors and closer to our amazing landscape whilst raising much needed funds to support the great conservation work taking place in the valley.
• The NT were keen that the race remained inclusive – attracting experienced ‘trail tigers’ but also to be a great ‘first race’ event for those who would love to get out there with running shoes on or with Nordic walking poles for the first time.
• This was a really exciting challenge – something very new for the NT. They made some changes to the route to avoid busy roads and got together a brilliant team of Rangers and Volunteers to marshal the event.  They also added cake for every competitor which seems to be appreciated!
• In 2011 there were about 350 entrants racing, in the four years since then the NT have more than trebled that number with about 870 people taking part in the 2015 event.
• In 2011 entrants only had a 10k or a 5.7k trail to choose from but over the last 4 years the NT have increased the event to include a 17K trail and in 2013, Grasmere Gallop welcomed the first Nordic Walkers.
• In 2019 local trail running events company Pure Outdoors Events took over the organising reins from the National Trust. We hope to continue and grow the event for many years to come.
• Grasmere Gallop was unfortunately cancelled, postponed and cancelled again in 2020 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• From 2022 Grasmere Gallop teamed up with the OMM Festival for an epic outdoor weekend! The weekend has events to suit every age & ability from 5.7k, 10k, 17k & 42k waymarked trail races, 10k nordic walking challenge & the adventure races of the OMM Lite. We’re looking forward to a great weekend in the Lakes!