ORGANISERS will put their best feet forwards this summer as they bring a new festival to a South Lakes town.

In August the Hoad Hill Festival of Two Feet will come to Ford Park in Ulverston, adding yet another event to the town's burgeoning events calendar.

Run by the same group behind the successful Hoad Hill Marathon, it is hoped this new festival will be a more inclusive and family-friendly experience.

Gaynor Prior, event director at Pure Outdoors Events, said: "The idea was mine originally. We started two years ago with the Hoad Hill Marathon and half-marathon, but last year I was asked so many times about shorter distances."

Ms Prior and the team at Pure Outdoors were overwhelmed by the success of the marathon and half-marathon in Ulverston.

Hundreds of runners have taken part in the races over the past two years, a clear indication to Ms Prior and her team that there is a passion for exercise in the town. She believes the time is right to expand the one-day-event into a whole weekend of activities.

Ms Prior said: "Maybe because Ulverston has so many festivals, we thought, 'why not make it a whole weekend of running and walking?' – hence the title – the Festival of Two Feet."

Due to the large number of families and older residents in Ulverston, it was felt bringing in shorter distance races would make the weekend far more inclusive.

There will be a 5k and 10k race, which people will be able to take at their own pace, whether that is walking, running, or even Nordic walking.

A generous time limit will be put on both of the distances to emphasise it is the taking part which is important, not racking up the fastest time.

Ms Prior said: "We just want it to be a success, in Ulverston and the South Lakes the support has been amazing. There is so much sport going on in that area.

"Last year we thought it would be nice to expand it and make it more inclusive."

To underline the festival atmosphere, there will be sporting demonstrations, guest speakers and a range of food and drink on offer to the public.

One of the speakers is Aleks Kashefi, better known as Barefoot Aleks, who will talk about his experiences as an endurance athlete.

Mr Kashefi has made his name by running extreme distances with no footwear. He recently achieved a mammoth feat of endurance by running the length of Europe.

He said: "I'm super excited. It's an amazing privilege to share your personal running story and to hear the stories of others, it's a massively inspirational thing to be involved in."

Ms Prior added: "He's a really good friend of mine, he's really funny and interesting to talk to. I met him when he ran barefoot from John O'Groats to Lands End."

The festival will be held in Ford Park on the weekend of August 12-13.

As well as the smaller distance events, the Hoad Hill Marathon and half-marathon will return for a third year.

Visit the festival's page on Facebook, or visit www.pureoutdoorsevents.co.uk, to find out more.