Keswick Mountain Festival is a fantastic outdoor fitness and sports weekend, designed to be family friendly and accessible to all. Camping is optional with local hotels or B&Bs being an alternative option.
Set in the heartland of the lake district, you need to be prepared for the English weather, but in balance you are rewarded with breath taking landscapes, views and atmosphere. This year for me personally Derwent water did not disappoint!
The outdoor fitness festival offers a glorious feast of activities that include; Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming, Zorbing, Archery, Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Trail Running. Triathlon and an Aquathon.
These come in a number of guises. Trail running, for example you have treats of 5KM and 10KM Trail Runs at various start times that you may choose! While for the more adventurous Runners amongst you, on offer is the 25KM or even 50KM Trail run.
There is a choice of Triathlon distances and a wide variety in all other events. Set in and around absolutely stunning scenery, the Derwent water plays a central holding roll for the festival. Quite literally surrounding you are rolling hills and high rising mountains that all truly melt the soul and stun the inner self.
This was my first triathlon this year after being forced through injury to miss my A race this year, the infamous Slateman Triathlon.
Finishing in a time of 1.03.36 saw me place 4th overall, some 16 seconds behind 3rd place, so close to a podium, however I am pleased to have won my age group.
The Timing chip had me initally 15 minutes or so over my actual finish time in error. Upon review it appeared I was put into the wrong start wave. This was swiftly resolved by the timing crew (within a matter of minutes in honesty) the lake swim was aglorious 19.9 degrees, an absolute gift as you’ll know if you’re a regular lake swimmer.
The Top 3 finishers came in at 58.14, 1.01.47 and 1.03.15 respectively. ☯️
If you are looking to book this event head over to;
http://www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/
In the evening the Keswick Mountain Festival has live bands that play to an open air audience at the lake side, they don’t skimp on the entertainment either! This year see’s Melanine C and a number of top bands such as the Farm and tribute act Blerb. You’ll be tapping for toes even if they are badly blistered from your 50KM Trail run efforts!
Don’t forget your cash, also on offer is discounted merchandise from a number of prestigious outdoor companies such as Solomon, Jack Wolfskin, Hoka, Suunto and Blacks to only name a few.
So what about Food options? That’s always important right! While I personally wasn’t able to source any Organic foods in the festival or local town, for meals out the produce is largely locally sourced and of relatively decent standard. Simply request no microwaved foods when eating out and drink quality bottled water ✔️
Westbrook Wellness, Holistic Health 