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40 Years of the YOMP: ThruDark Joins as Official Sponsor of the Mountain Marathons

June 2025 saw the 40th year of “The Yomp”, including the inaugural ThruDark “Mountain Marathons” - a gruelling, classic 26 miler and a torrid 44 mile Ultra. The backdrop? The quaint Cumbrian market town of Kirkby Stephen.

The Yomp was first run in 1983 and comes from the Forces name for “a long march over open terrain”. This hugely popular local event is entirely volunteer led and has grown over the years to encompass a 5, 10 and 20 kilometre race alongside the marathon and ultra.

The Yomp Mountain challenge is a three-day event celebrating all things running, walking and outdoors. With a strong charitable connection, the Yomp has raised over £100,000 for good causes since its inception.

The Yomp has its own distinct character and is a local legend in the event calendar. It does have its roads and tracks, but they are not the main element, which is the open, exposed fell where conditions can turn in an instant.

Tinsley takes to the field

Co-Founder Louis took on the 20km, his first significant race and the longest distance he’d run since injuring his knee. Sporting the new Force Active Running Cap, Motion T-Shirt and development samples of upcoming compression shorts, Louis raced alongside a local crowd including some he’d gone to school with. The Yomp is a special event for Louis, taking place in his home and the weekend presents a chance to regroup with old friends as well as revisiting the fells over which he and brother Frankie used to train for the military.

Staz storms the marathon

Battling changing conditions and the content challenge of a novel 360 camera, Co-Founder Staz hit the fells in search of Kendal Mint Cake. Testing a development lightweight waterproof designed for running, the marathon saw every kind of weather on the day from gleaming sunshine to heavy drizzle. Taking the time to speak to other entrants along the way, Staz finished the course in 16th out of 70 places with a time of 5hrs 15, running the final few hundred metres with his sons in tow.

A team effort

It wasn’t just ThruDark’s Co-Founders racing on the day but team members Annie, Hannah and Milly also took on the 10k. Flying the flag for ThruDark’s Women’s Force Activewear, with a few of the new Force Active Run Vests, the team did us proud ensuring strong finishes across three of The Yomp’s races.

The talk(s) of the town

As evening descended on Kirkby Stephen, a crowd gathered at the Engine Shed for talks from Staz and Frankie. Staz gave a talk on Everest, sat by his Summit Suit, with footage from the record breaking ascent and Frankie recounted his Talisman Triathlon, the first of its kind across the UK.

ThruDark pop up

The remainder of the team held the fort at the ThruDark pop up meeting new faces and existing customers alike. With a selection of Force Activewear and a sneak peak of some new releases, the team enjoyed getting boots on the ground amongst the community. The Everest Summit Suit was on display for people to take photos with and visitors also relished the chance to say hello to a couple of ThruDark's mascot hounds.