WORLD record holders and internationally-renowned athletes are among the guests announced for this summer's Keswick Mountain Festival.

The 2018 event's speaker programme - taking place at the Theatre by the Lake on Friday June 8 and Saturday 9 - is the most impressive to date, including two of the UK’s biggest names in outdoor sport

The line-up will be headlined by talks from two inspirational individuals – multiple world ironman champion Chrissie Wellington and round the world cycling phenomenon Mark Beaumont.

Wellington will regale audiences with a mind-blowing account of the many firsts in her sporting career, including her iconic journey to becoming a world champion. She holds, or has held, all three world records relating to ironman-distance triathlon races and has set a standard that other ultra-distance triathletes around the globe aspire to.

Wellington will also give an insight into her work since retiring from competition, as she has continued to play a big role in the running community, particularly through parkrun, where she has a global remit to promote the participation sport.

In 2008, Mark Beaumont smashed the circumnavigation world record after cycling around the world in 194 days. Last year, inspired by the classic Jules Verne adventure novel, he set out to complete the challenge again, this time in less than 80 days. After pushing himself to the limit to cover an average of 240 miles per day, he completed his challenge last September in under 79 days.

Beaumont will share anecdotes from his latest record-breaking ride as well as revealing the inside story of some of the epic documentaries he has made, which have seen him visit more than 100 countries, the Arctic, the high mountains and tour the Commonwealth, as well as surviving a capsize in the mid-Atlantic.

Each night will also feature a selection of films as part of the 2018 Ledlenser Trails In Motion Film Festival world tour, which in total features eight of the best new trail and ultra-running films from around the globe, including three world premieres.

Nicola Meadley, Keswick Mountain Festival director, says: "Once again, visitors to Keswick Mountain Festival will have the opportunity to hear from inspirational figures from the world of sport and the outdoors, who will no doubt leave audiences motivated to embark on their own adventures.

"Chrissie and Mark both have a wealth of amazing stories that demonstrate what can be achieved with the right combination of talent and drive. Add in some amazing films courtesy of the Ledlenser Trails in Motion Film Festival and I am sure that folk will leave the Theatre by the Lake raring to have a go at some of the activities on offer in the Festival Village, or to explore the amazing landscape that surrounds our festival."

Based on the shores of Derwentwater, at Crow Park, the festival programme will run on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Keswick Mountain Festival has grown into one of the biggest and best-loved outdoor events in the UK calendar and now attracts around 20,000 visits each year to a unique mix of live music, sporting events, outdoor adventures, high profile speakers, taster activities, exhibitor stands and camping.

Tickets for the speaker sessions and all festival events can be purchased at www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk