Last updated: 02-Jun-17
The Kendal Mountain Festival, based (not surprisingly) in Kendal in the Lake District (England, UK) has been going for over 30 years and jostles with Banff for first place in the mountain circuit. It has films, lectures, books, kit and activities to satisfy mountain-ophiles of every cut. It runs from 17 – 20 November.
This year, there is plenty to interest the ultra runner with appearances by Jasmin Paris and Anton Krupicka. There is also a 10km trail run, sponsored by Adidas, on the Saturday morning which will start in Kendal town centre and take in some major local landmarks. It should help burn off any indulgences from Friday night. The bar and partying at Kendal are legendary. Entries are being accepted now here.
Anton Krupicka is an American mountain runner and outdoor ambassador and a bit of a poster boy for the sport. He has won the Leadville 100 twice, the Miwok 100K, the Rocky Raccoon 100 Miler, the Collegiate Peaks 50 Miler, the White River 50 Miler twice, the High Mountain 50k and the Estes Park Marathon. He is also a keen biker and when we met him in UTMB in August, he turned up on his bike which he had brought over from the USA to get around on. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, and if you want to hear one of the world experts on mountain running, now is the time.
Jasmin Paris has had a storming year so far. In April she annihilated the women’s Bob Graham Round record by over two-and-a-half hours. She ran the 66-mile circuit over 42 of England’s highest summits in 15 hours and 24 minutes. The previous record was held by Nicky Spinks, who ran 18:06 last year. Jasmin was only 90 minutes outside the men’s record of 13:53, set by Billy Bland in 1982. She also put in a fantastic performance at UTMB just a couple of months later, coming in as sixth woman, which made her the highest-placing Brit.
Anton and Jasmin will be highlights for runners but there really is a whole shedload more to enjoy if you love the mountains: hundreds of mountain film screenings covering everything from first ascents to bouldering to mountain culture; a massive schedule of speakers including Alex Megos, the 20-year-old superstar of modern climbing, and Cedar Wright, a US climber and filmmaker who’s travelled the world making daring first ascents; and some of the leading names from the UK and international mountain biking.
Also of interest, is the Kendal Mountain Film Academy which is for those of you venturing into action film and photography. The Academy was founded by Brian Hall, the world’s leading mountain/stunt cameraman whose work has featured on every big budget Hollywood film you can imagine.
Running from 17-20 November, this one comes highly recommended! Tickets and programme here.
