Is Love Trails a good festival for middle-age women?
The running festival that attracts non-runners
Last weekend, I headed to the Gower Peninsula with three female friends for Love Trails Festival. It’s a relatively small running and wellbeing festival which attracts a lot of London folk, but also has a smattering of international visitors.
Amongst my friends one was a festival-virgin and non-runner who was simply curious about the experience, and the other two were runners.
I was there to give a talk with Emma Wilkinson about our book Ultra Women, as well as chair a panel on behalf of SheRACES.
I’d been to the festival twice before but never with a group of female friends - so I was curious to see it through a fresh lens.
We were four women in our forties just happy to be away from work and family responsibilities for a few days, soaking up the stunning location.
Between sea swims, meaningful panels and surprisingly OK compostable toilets, we had an absolute blast - even if very little actual running was done.
Here are my top five observations…
Inclusivity
Love Trails continues to make real efforts to be inclusive, and this year it showed more than ever. While the overall crowd still leans largely white and young, there was visible diversity both in attendees and in the organisations present. Members of Black Trail Runners were there, alongside other community-led running groups that represent different backgrounds. On the panels, there was a strong mix of voices - not just in terms of ethnicity, but also experience, age and perspective.
There also seemed to be more women than men at times - particularly noticeable on runs and at talks - although it was probably close to a 50/50 split. Crucially, it felt like a space where women were not just present but heard. The presence of deaf runners was also notable, with signers provided at some of the talks, which made the whole event feel more welcoming and considered.
It’s also a festival that allows dogs which gives it a much more welcoming and family-friendly feeling.
Vibe
The vibe at Love Trails is hard to beat. It's easily the friendliest festival I’ve ever been to and my friends agreed. One had never been to any festival before, another had never done Love Trails, and the third was a returning fan. All of them commented on how relaxed and open everyone was.
On the first evening, we were chatting to two guys about the most overrated and underrated vegetables - the kind of easy, silly conversation that really sets the tone. It’s the opposite of a drug and drink-fuelled, chaotic weekend: yes, people enjoy a few drinks and a dance in the evening, but most are up early for a run or yoga session. There are no piles of vomit, and the facilities stayed remarkably clean.
It’s a health-conscious crowd, for sure (there are a lot of abs on show) but it doesn’t feel competitive. The focus is more on wellness than performance, and that brings a different, softer kind of energy to the weekend.
Activities
We had well-intended plans to run and do yoga every day, but the heatwave changed that. Instead, we spent long afternoons on the local beaches - Rhosili Beach was a highlight - swimming in what was possibly the warmest sea I’ve ever experienced in the UK. That’s one of the best things about this festival: it’s easy to dip in and out, with the coast just minutes away.
Still, we managed the 5k race on the last day, and the variety of options was impressive from 5k all the way up to 50k, with runs supported by water stations, sponges and buckets to keep cool. There were also opportunities to pay for extras like climbing and surfing, but plenty of free activities too. A cold water and sauna spa near our bell tent in the premium camping area was a godsend in the heat, and there were also family-friendly sessions and a few more kids around this year.
Food was varied, with a strong range of vegan options. I brought a lot of my own food and drink and only spent £50 across four days proving you really can do it on a budget, especially since you’re allowed to bring your own alcohol.
Talks
The talks are always a huge part of the festival and this year didn’t disappoint. I co-hosted a session on Ultra Women that drew a packed crowd of over 100. We sold a lot of books and had some brilliant conversations afterwards from a young rugby player reflecting on gendered training methods, to a man keen to deepen his understanding of women’s stories through reading. One man showed us all the women-authored books he’s read recently, which was quite moving in its own way.
I also chaired the SHERaces panel. It featured a strong mix of panellists and sparked an engaged, at times challenging, discussion. But even when it got a little heated, it still left space for discursive conversations rather than shutdown and that in itself felt like a positive outcome.
There may have been slightly more influencer-type speakers this year compared to last, with fewer older or more experienced voices. But overall, the talks still offered a range of perspectives and crucially, women were front and centre in most of them.
Sustainability
Love Trails has always made a point of being environmentally conscious, and this year it felt like those efforts had ramped up. There were more composting toilets (and they stayed fairly clean), the race medals were wooden, all drinks were served in cardboard cups, and waste was clearly sorted into different recycling bins. Most people were getting around on foot, and the whole site had a low-impact feel to it.
There also weren’t many big-name brands trying to flog kit. Instead, a few smaller stalls offered gear and services, and there were organisations like the Green Runners running beach clean-ups and workshops on kit repair. It didn’t feel overly commercial - more like a space that values community and sustainability over profit.
Love Trails isn’t just about running. It’s about connecting - with each other, with nature, and with ideas. From where I was standing, it also felt like a place where women were not only welcome, but listened to and supported. If that’s the kind of space you’re after, it’s definitely worth a place on your calendar.
Just a quick note to say I’m on holiday for the next couple of weeks so will be taking a break from writing - but Running Matters will return soon!
Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter. Send feedback to lilycanter@yahoo.co.uk or suggest topics you’d like me to cover.
Black Trail Runners as a community and campaigning charity did not attend LT. As discussed with the festival organisers this year, we have ongoing concerns with non-equitable policies for community groups who serve marginalised communities in trail running. You may have seen a couple of members, but as an organisation we did not attend.