Running Int' Fells: A History of Fell Running in the Lake District

Our “Running Int’ Fells” theme for June is “Past to Present” and we continue with a talk by a local fell runner who has trained and raced on the Lake District fells for over 50 years.

This talk by Joseph Ritson will take you through the history of fell running in the Lake District, starting with some of the early walkers and guides, through the challenges and guides races, to some of the key individuals that have made headlines for the sport. It is an excellent commentary and accompaniment to the exhibition.

About the speaker:
Joseph (Joe) Ritson has been a long-distance runner around the Lake District for more than 50 years, having taken up running after retiring from competition as an amateur ballroom dancer after appearing on the original BBC TV series “Come Dancing”. He first started training as a distance runner because it was easier to fit in the training and competition while studying for school and university exams… and the training was easier!

Over the years, he has taken part in races on the roads, fells, trails, cross-country, and track in the UK and overseas. At university, Joe was first finisher in the MASS Rag ‘Bogle Stroll’ on two occasions (a 55-mile ‘ultra’ around Manchester and Lancashire). In later years, Joe has won the Cumbria Lakes Marathon (twice), the Freckleton Half Marathon (once) and a number of cross country, track and hill races.

Since retiring from work, Joe continues to train on the Lakeland fells and takes part in the occasional local fell race, trail race, and park run, as old injuries and health issues allow. He is a regular speaker to local history groups around Cumbria on a variety of topics, such as fell running, waltz music, Cumbrian mining, church history, and the two World Wars. He has been a member of Derwent Athletic Club (Cockermouth) for 50 years and is a life member of the Fell Runners Association.