The Dreamtime Fellrunner

The Dreamtime Fellrunner is a poetic, fun and moving exploration of Julie’s fellrunning life. Presenting fellrunning as a type of land art and spiritual practice this is an aesthetic performance which allows people to experience the beauty of a wonderful sport, regardless of their degree of familiarity with the fells and running. Emphasising body-mind-spirit-place connections, the Dreamtime Fellrunner encounters themes of feminism, land rights, ageism and ableism, history and literature, while carrying us on a journey through the Lakeland fells. 

“My motivation for this work is that as an older female athlete with a congenital spinal disability I have experienced significant barriers, but I have also gained huge emotional, spiritual and physical reward from being a fellrunner. I want to question certain ideas around outdoor sport being masochistic madness for the macho. I want to question why we think that something called Nature is out there - when we are ourselves are animal beings and part of an ecosystem. Above all I want to perform the aesthetic of fellrunning in a way that allows people to feel the incredible beauty of it.” 

The show consists of 60 minutes of immersive performance supported by a soundscape with original music, an interval, and a short second half featuring discussion and Q&A. There will also be a series of banners forming a mini exhibition of photography and poetry which can be used flexibly in venues to enhance the experience depending on available space.

“Humorous and affecting”

“Spellbinding”

“It was brilliant! Inspiring, tender, funny and exciting”

“Completely captivating. It made the whole concept of fellrunning come alive and drew me into her experience, filling me with her energy.”

“Inspirational. Heart-warming. Bursting with joy, love and smiles. Insight into the fell running community is fascinating.”