Last weekend, members of Shit Runners Club travelled from Kendal, Ulverston, Lancaster and Morecambe to take part in the Grasmere Gallop, one of the flagship events of the Lake District Running Festival.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Lake District National Park, the Grasmere Gallop attracts runners of all ages and abilities, offering everything from shorter trail races through to more challenging distances across some of Cumbria’s most spectacular landscapes.
For Shit Runners Club, however, the weekend was about much more than running.
More Than a Race
On paper, the Grasmere Gallop is a race.
There are race numbers, timing chips, start lines and finish lines.
But as we looked around the event village, watched hundreds of runners gather beneath the Lakeland fells and celebrated together afterwards, we were reminded of why Shit Runners Club exists in the first place.
Not to create the fastest runners.
Not to collect trophies.
Not to chase personal bests.
But to help people discover what they’re capable of.
The Grasmere Gallop was the first organised race event attended by Shit Runners Club as a group, making it an important milestone in our journey as a growing community running club.
Progress Looks Different for Everyone
Amongst our runners were people with very different goals.
Some had completed numerous races and trail running events before.
Others were stepping onto a start line for the very first time.
Some were taking on distances or terrain they had never attempted before.
Others simply wanted to enjoy a brilliant day out with friends in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
Every reason for being there mattered.
Because at Shit Runners Club, we believe progress looks different for everyone.
For one person, progress might be completing a marathon.
For another, it might be running continuously for the first time.
For someone else, it might be finding the confidence to join a group, make new friends or enter an organised running event.
Too often, success in running is measured by pace, distance and finishing positions.
We see it differently.
We believe success is measured by confidence gained, friendships formed, experiences shared and opportunities created.
Belonging Before Performance
The photos from the weekend tell that story far better than any results sheet ever could.
They show people laughing together before the start.
Supporting one another throughout the day.
Celebrating achievements together afterwards.
People of different ages, backgrounds and abilities united by a simple willingness to turn up and give something a go.
That sense of belonging is at the heart of everything we do.
We believe people shouldn’t have to earn their place in a community.
They should feel welcome from the moment they arrive.
Belonging comes first.
Everything else follows.
Opening Doors
As Shit Runners Club continues to grow across Cumbria and Lancashire, we’re committed to creating more opportunities for people to explore what is possible.
That might mean taking part in a trail race like the Grasmere Gallop.
It might mean joining a fell walk.
It might mean volunteering at an event.
It might mean becoming a run leader.
Or it might simply mean turning up to a Monday evening run and discovering that you can do more than you thought.
Running is the vehicle.
Community is the destination.
The Grasmere Gallop wasn’t just a race for Shit Runners Club.
It was another door opening.
A chance for people to challenge themselves, support one another and create memories together.
And we’re excited to see what doors open next.
What We Believe
Shit Runners Club exists to help people discover what they’re capable of.
We believe progress looks different for everyone.
We believe belonging matters more than pace.
We believe communities grow stronger when opportunities are accessible to all.
Whether that’s a first run, a first race, a first volunteering role or a completely new challenge, we’re here to help people take the next step on their own terms.
About Shit Runners Club
Shit Runners Club is an inclusive community running club with groups in Kendal, Ulverston, Lancaster and Morecambe, with further communities planned across Cumbria and Lancashire. We welcome runners of all abilities and focus on community, confidence, wellbeing and helping people discover what they’re capable of through running, walking, volunteering and shared experiences.
Be Kind. Be Slow. Be Shit.