Overview

The Keswick to Barrow Walk is a major annual charity event in Cumbria, spanning an impressive 40 miles from near Keswick, through the rugged terrain of the Lake District, to Barrow-in-Furness. With thousands of participants and volunteers, maintaining reliable and clear communication throughout the event is critical for coordination, logistics, and safety. John McIntosh, Director and Trustee of the event’s charity, shared his experience working with DCRS for radio hire during the 2025 walk.

The Challenge

Operating in the mountainous Lake District presents significant communication challenges for any event organiser, requiring a decent event safety plan and reliable communication in place. Historically, the team relied on borrowed radios through a local agreement, but were informed with 13 months’ notice that these radios could no longer be used. This prompted the need for a reliable alternative capable of:

• Covering a 40-mile route through varied terrain
• Connecting event control in Barrow with staff throughout the course
• Supporting real-time incident response and logistics coordination

The Solution

After recommendations from industry contacts, the Keswick to Barrow team trialled DCRS radios during the 2024 event. The performance exceeded expectations, leading to a full-scale rollout for the 2025 event.

Key features highlighted:

• Exceptional coverage in mountainous areas
• Clear, reliable audio even over long distances
• Long-lasting battery life – with radios operating from 4:30am until the following afternoon under heavy use

On-the-Ground Performance

During the 2025 walk, DCRS radios served as the primary communication tool for the entire event team. They supported:

• Real-time coordination between volunteers and control points
• Efficient incident response, though fortunately, no major incidents occurred
• Streamlined operations thanks to reduced radio traffic and improved clarity

John noted:
“Messages were far easier to understand – the clarity of the signal meant less back-and-forth, and smoother communication overall.” The battery performance was a standout feature: “Radios were turned on at 0430 and some weren’t returned until lunchtime the next day – despite heavy usage, the batteries were still half full.”

Support and Service

From delivery to collection, the experience with DCRS was seamless:

• Equipment arrived on time and ready for use
• The return process was simple and fully supported
• No technical or logistical issues reported:
  

  “Not an issue – everything ran smoothly from start to finish.”

Looking Ahead

The Keswick to Barrow Walk team has already confirmed their intention to rebook with DCRS for 2026. John has also begun recommending DCRS to other event organisers, including a large cycling event with similar terrain and communication challenges.

“Yes, I’ve recommended you to a large cycling event which encompasses the whole Lake District.”

Conclusion

DCRS provided a critical communication backbone for one of Cumbria’s most demanding charity events. Their radios ensured clarity, reliability, and endurance in the face of geographic and logistical challenges — contributing to a safe and smoothly run 2025 walk.

Interested in improving communication for your next event?
[Get in touch with the DCRS team →]