Verey Books, Ullswater’s independent bookshop, celebrates the popular sport of Fell Running at their next Words on Wednesday event. This April, North lakes-based writer and photographer, John Myatt, author of Lakeland Fell Running for Mortals (Pesda Press, 2022), will be the guest speaker Wednesday, 19 April.
Lakeland Fell Running for Mortals is a book to debunk the myth about the difficulty of fell running. John Myatt asserts that everyone can be a fell runner; they just need to know how and where to take the first step. This guide is for mortals who want to feel the freedom and wildness of running in the Lakeland Fells.
There are 70 fell runs to choose from, runs that John considers to be accessible to all runners. They are intended to provide inspiration and to encourage roadrunners to head for the hills.
There are 10 runs in each of the areas described in Wainwright’s famous Pictorial Guides traversing a total of 90 Wainwright summits and other outlying fells. John’s guide covers the whole of the National Park from the Uldale Fells in the north to Devoke Water in the south and includes some lesser-known summits such as Lank Rigg, Whoap, Sour Howes and Sallows.
John came to running 40 years ago when in the middle of a low period in his life. He was soon to realise the powerful effect running can have on improving your mood and raising your self-esteem. He has completed over 70 marathons and ultra races and hundreds of other events on road, fell and trail around the world.
Having spent most of his career overseas, living and working in Sudan, Cairo, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Bahrain, John now lives in the Lake District in the north of England and runs with Penrith-based Eden Runners. Since moving to the Lakes, John has devoted his time to researching running routes in the Cumbrian fells. He is passionate about the benefits of running on physical and mental health, especially running in wide-open spaces over beautiful and varied terrain.
John runs every day, a streak reaching back to 1994, often over the fells close to his door, and hopes to open up the magic of running over mountains to a wider section of the running community.
He has recently completed another guide, Eden Valley Fell Running for Mortals, which will be published by Pesda Press later this year.
At the Verey Books event, John will talk about his background in running, how he came to write the book and will reveal and discuss his favourite runs.
Tickets costs £10 and include a welcome drink. To book, visit www.vereybooks.co.uk. Verey Books is located in Pooley Bridge on the shores of Ullswater. The book shop is open daily seven days a week from 10am – 5pm. Walking boots, bikes and book-curious children and dogs welcome. For further information, to book for these events or to buy gift vouchers or book subscriptions, visit www.vereybooks.co.uk