Mountain running is having a resurgence in the last few years, mainly due the rise in participation at trail and ultra races. I’m sure someone could point the finger to Park run.
With this, much to the delight of me and many others, so has the rise of mountain running content and time at festivals. This years Mountain Running session takes place on Saturday 17th November, kicking off at 14.15 at Kendal Leisure Centre. That means one thing, a big crowd!
Hosted and led by Simon Freeman, Editor of Like the Wind Magazine, a man of endless passion for runnings culture, it promises to be an afternoon to remember.
A big crowd needs a strong line up, and the team at KMF have achieved just that.
Jonathan Albon – I seem to be stalking Jon, as he’s been at the last 3 races I’ve been at – Skyrunning World Championships (where he was crowned Ultra SkyRunning World Champion), OCR World Championships (3km & 15km Pro Elite World Champion) and the Original Mountain Marathon or OMM, where Jon won the Elite Linear race….. oh and last weekend he won the Sparta Elite Men Sprint.
When Jon moved to Bergen, Norway in 2014, his love for mountain running flourished and since then has become 2x Extreme SkyRunning World Champion and has beaten none other then Kilian Jornet, by 17 minutes at Tromso. One of the most humble and unassuming competitors on the circuit, he lets his legs and heart do the talking.
Jenny Tough – Memorable adventurers have a tendency to have names that seem custom made for their chosen purists, none more so then Jenny Tough. As I write this Jenny has just finished her 17 day FKT of the Bolivian Andes, part of her World First expedition to run across a mountain range on every continent. This will be the subject of her talk, fresh in the mind as the 3rd completed, after becoming the 1st person to run across the Tien Shan of Kyrgyzstan in 2016 and in 2017 being the 1st person to run across the Atlas mountains.
On top of this Jenny has travelled 6 continents solo, cycled around Europe, female winner of the Silk Road Mountain Bike race, paddled through South American Jungle and much much more.
Eoin Keith – Starting back in the 90’s Eoin remains a power house in the ultra world 3 decades on. From 5th at the 24 hour World Championship in 2009, to 2nd Vet at UTMB in 2013 and winner of the formidable Spine Race in 2016, long distances and courses that offer high attrition rates favour his style.
Damin Hall – “is much more about having a big sweaty adventure somewhere spectacularly lumpy, and the great health, happiness and friendships it rewards with. And the opportunity to scoff a lot of cake.”
Clocking a memorable 5th at this years UTMB (Make sure you catch a screening of Underdog at the festival) he’s been on the podium of the Spine Race, Dragon’s Back race and the British Athletics UK Ultra Trail Championships. With something of an obsession for repeating races (4 UTMB to his name) and something of a pro at multi stage races, he holds the FKT for the 630 mile South West Coastal Path, Britain’s Longest National Trail.
For me atleast, he could be best described as the Andy Kirkpatrick of running…..
If you would like to find out more & check out tickets – CLICK HERE
I will be at the session, with a full review for those unable to make the date.
James Mackeddie 