Winner Gets Cake Comes to the Lake District

SportsShoes has proudly partnered with Rab to co-present Winner Gets Cake, a film that trades the polished, heavily branded world of modern trail running for the raw soul of the British Fell Running. Following the fierce battles of the English Fell Running Championships alongside the tireless volunteers who make them possible, the documentary is a joyful love letter to the sport's unique heritage.

Having celebrated its premiere at Kendal Mountain Festival, the film is now officially on tour across the UK, with its first stop at Lanty Slee’s, where we teamed up with Lake District Sky Trails to host an evening of lung-busting racing and big-screen viewing and Q&A.  

The Lakeland Fell Harrison Stickle towered above Great Langdale as runners gathered for the Lake District Sky Trails Stickle Grind 650. It may be short in distance, but with 650 metres of climbing packed into a relentless uphill race, there’s nowhere to hide once the racing gets underway.

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Course Records Fall on Harrison Stickle

This year the climb produced some impressive performances. Bobby Gard Story claimed victory and a new course record of 25:21 while Rab Athlete Sara Willhoit also rewrote the female records books with a finishing time of 27:52, absolutely smashing the previous benchmark, taking nearly 4 minutes off the record. 

Strong performances throughout the field highlighted the depth of competition, but as always, the event was about much more than the front of the field. From seasoned racers to those taking on their first uphill challenge, everyone was welcomed back down with the chance to share stories and enjoy an evening at the Lanty Slee’s.

Winner Gets Cake: A Love Letter to British Fell Running

With the racing done, the evening shifted from competition to celebration as runners and supporters packed in for a screening of Rab’s Winner Gets Cake. The film captures the raw, “brakes off, brains off” spirit of a quintessentially British sport. Where horizontal rain, bogs, and brutal descents are met with a shrug and a laugh. It’s a beautifully gritty portrait of a community kept alive by eccentric lifers. Elites and amateurs line up together on freezing start lines, chasing no grand reward, just the joy of the hills, and the promise of a sweet treat at the finish line. 

Stories from the Hills: Athlete Q&A

Long after the credits rolled, the audience stayed for a Q&A with Rab athletes, Sara Wilhoit, Harry Holmes & Steph Knapman, and Yorkshire fell running icon Ted Mason, known for his fearless descending.

The film vividly illustrated the raw intensity of fell running and its descents, featuring footage of the notoriously steep and treacherous scree at the Kilnsey Show Fell Race. Mason is one of the few athletes to have broken the elusive eight-minute barrier at this historic event, conquering it in just 7:58.

From tales of racing and training to reflections on the community that surrounds the sport, the panel was a fitting end to an evening that celebrated the very essence of fell and mountain running, challenge, community, chaos, and cake.

Where to Watch Winner Gets Cake Next

If you missed this screening, you'll have another chance to catch Winner Gets Cake at SUMMAT in Bakewell on Wednesday 24th June. Tickets are available to purchase in store at SUMMAT for £7.

SportsShoes is committed to organising the most exciting and unique races, whether it's on the track, road or trail. Keen to find out more? Then check out our Races category for more information about events, latest news and results. Because it's no fun standing still.