FOLLOWING its recent launch, new fell running website: Run the Dales is taking fell running off the fells and into two of the Dales’ best loved museums.

Continuing throughout the entire summer across two venues, the unique exhibition opens at the newly refurbished Grade I listed The Folly Museum, Settle, on May 18 (you are advised to double check this date before travelling), before relocating to the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, on July 23, where it will run until September 26.

Sponsored by the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Great Place: Lakes and Dales, the Run the Dales Exhibition is a vibrant celebration of fell running along with some of its biggest and best loved champions, and the country fairs, sports and shows that host the 40 plus annual races across the region throughout the year.

Featuring the award winning photography of Stephen Garnett, along with prized artefacts from former champion runners, Tommy Sedgwick, Stephen Hawkins, Dave Hodgson and Skipton and Craven’s own ‘Mr Sport’, Roger Ingham, the Run the Dales Exhibition promises to be a vibrant and fascinating insight into this quintessentially northern sport.

Highlights include ‘an evolution of fell shoes’ depicted through former champions’ original race winning shoes.

Additionally, the story of Ernest Dalzell’s legendary Burnsall Classic win in 1910 is also brought to life, as is Bill Teasdale’s unsuccessful 1953 attempt at the record and Fred Reeves 1977 victorious breaking of it.

Kit, tags, tickets, programmes, trophies, medals, cuttings and photographs dating back more than 100 years make this a rare exhibition of sporting imagery and memorabilia for runners and sports enthusiasts alike.

Run the Dales website and exhibition has been created and curated by the writer Victoria Benn, author of new book Peak Performance which chronicles the great sporting legacy of Ingleborough and the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

In addition, www.runthedales.org.uk is a comprehensive ‘one stop site’ of everything you need to know about fell running, from how to get started in the sport including training tips, through to finding races and progression routes.

The website’s heritage section also brings to life the history of the sport, with engaging insights and stories about its most iconic races.

Audio story contributions from former international athletes, Victoria Wilkinson, Michael Hawkins and Stephen Hawkins showcase the Three Peaks Race, Burnsall Classic and Kilnsey Crag race events, with a further audio story contribution from the well-known fell runner and two times Kilnsey Crag race winner, Ted Mason.

For further information visit: www.runthedales.org.uk

Please note: Due to unanticipated further building works at the newly refurbished Folly, the exhibition will be redistributed throughout the ground floor public areas. There will be no charge for accessing the exhibition at this venue, although donations will be welcome.

For further information about The Folly, including the exhibition between May 18 and June 25, go to: www.thefolly.org.uk

Similarly, for information about The Dales Countryside Museum, at Hawes, and the exhibition rinning between July 23 and September 26 go to: www.dalescountrysidemuseum.org.uk/run-the-dales