A festival with a difference
The unique Love Trails festival brings movement to Gower this July. With tickets now on sale, its founder told Jenny White how it all came about – and what’s in store this year
AUNIQUE mix of music, movement and talks comes to Gower in July with the return of the Love Trails festival. It’s a chance to enjoy runs through some of Gower’s most beautiful places, indulge in yoga, breathwork and cold water immersion, and take in live bands and DJS in the evening. There are also talks and workshops from champion athletes and running experts.
The festival began in 2016 after friends Theo Larn-jones and George Restall hit on the idea while out running.
“We were running along one Tuesday with our run crew Midnight Runners and thought how awesome it would be if we created a running and music festival,” Theo recalls. “Love Trails wasn’t really a proper festival at all in 2016. But about 28 friends gathered in a soggy field in north Wales to pilot the concept.
“It was so much fun – a complete escape from my full-time job in London organising corporate business conferences that simply didn’t inspire me. At that time, running and working on Love Trails was more of an escape for me. I was looking for more fulfilling projects outside of work, and evenings planning Love Trails scratched an itch.”
That first event in September 2016 was such a success that the pair decided to do it again the following summer.
“Having a passion project to work on outside of my main full-time job was an outlet for my creativity,” says Theo. “Loving trail running and music festivals certainly helped too.”
They knew that if they wanted to build a proper music and running festival with a stage and acts, they needed to make it bigger, so they invited the London running crews they knew to come to Love Trails 2017.
“We didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into. It was all getting a bit serious. Councils needed applying to for licences, stages and a bar needed to be built, running routes planned and a million other things.”
Theo’s side hustle passion project was growing, and about eight weeks from the 2017 festival he had a couple of important realisations.
“Firstly, I was going to need to plough some of my savings into the event to make it work. Secondly, I was going to have to make a choice. The mountain of work to organise the festival was simply too big to only be doing in the evenings and at weekends. I’d need to quit my job and work on Love Trails full time, or risk the event being a giant, very public, expensive crash and burn.”
Decision made, he threw everything into the 2017 festival, and was rewarded for his efforts.
“That 2017 festival turned out to be absolute magic,” he says. “It was the definition of job satisfaction on a level I had never experienced before: seeing people come together and have an amazing time running trails, getting inspired, making new friends and dancing. Seeing that vision – mixing the best of trails with music festivals – come to life. Working with a fantastic team – and receiving a mass of positive feedback after. I’d made the right decision to quit my job.”
Love Trails, which has been held on Gower since 2018, now attracts thousands of attendees each year – and its scope has grown with its attendance.
“We’ve expanded our offerings, introduced new activities and refined the overall experience based on feedback and our own passion for innovation,” says Theo.
Headlining the festival this year with a DJ set are dance duo JOY (Anonymous), and the pop folk band Stornoway.
The festival will also feature rising stars across
author Allie Bailey, elite athlete Anya Culling, international trail runner Ryan Sandes, and Billy Yang, a renowned filmmaker and storyteller in the trail and ultra-running community, known for capturing the essence of the sport.
The combination of music and running makes Love Trails a unique offering.
“We love music festivals and great music and there are also some awesome fitness and running events, but before Love Trails, there wasn’t an event that brought both of those things together,” says Theo.
“We wanted to create an event where people can experience great trails, meet new people and experience some new adventures and then end the day with a proper festival experience, great music and a brilliant party and we’re proud to say that’s what we have created. Music and movement are integral to the human experience, offering avenues for self-expression, connection and joy. By combining them, Love Trails creates an immersive festival experience that brings people together for a weekend.”
Gower is ideal for the festival’s trail running events, which are suitable for a range of different abilities and cover distances ranging from 5k to the Love Trails Festival 25km Golden Trail Race, which is officially being added as part of the Salomon Golden Trail Race Series.
“We are unique as we encourage festival goers away from the festival site, so over the weekend the beauty and diverse terrain of the area offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure,” adds Theo. “The whole of the Gower peninsula becomes a natural playground filled with epic trails, sea swims, adventure activities and more.”
The festival’s movement activities are curated to cater to a wide range of interests and abilities, with input from renowned fitness instructors, athletes and wellness experts. Meanwhile, the music acts are selected to reflect the diverse tastes of the Love Trails community.
“In addition to music and movement, Love Trails offers a range of experiences including outdoor cinema screenings, wellness workshops and artisanal food markets,” adds Theo. “I’m particularly excited about our night-time trail runs and sunrise yoga sessions, which offer unique opportunities for connection and inspiration.”
Organising Love Trails presents challenges, including logistical and financial considerations – but Theo remains delighted that he made the choice to commit to this unique project.
“The best part of organising Love Trails is witnessing the impact it has on participants,” he says. “Seeing people come together, push their boundaries, and create lasting memories is incredible. It’s a testament to the transformative potential of community and adventure.
“Above all, I hope Love Trails inspires people to connect with nature, challenge themselves, and embrace the spirit of adventure. Whether it’s discovering a new passion, forging meaningful connections, or simply enjoying moments of joy and celebration, my greatest wish is for every attendee to leave Love Trails feeling inspired and alive.”
Love Trails Festival takes place on the Gower peninsula, July 11-14.
lovetrailsfestival.co.uk
It was so much fun – a complete escape from my full-time job in London organising corporate business conferences that simply didn’t inspire me