Introduction
I was elected to the new post of Fell Running Captain at this year’s AGM. Horsforth Harriers has always been a strong road running club and this remains the club’s core aim. However off road running is enjoying an upsurge in popularity both nationally and within Horsforth Harriers. Having taken up this newly created post within the club my aspiration is to encourage more of you to share the joy of fell, adventurous trail and ultra running and get more Harriers out into the hills…
Main Photo: Nathan (centre) with Richard Pattinson (front). Views of Leg 5 of Bob Graham Round 2015
First – Lets Explode Some Myths
- You don’t have to be a superhuman hill climber to enjoy fell running. The majority of fell runners actually walk up most hills (hands on knees for extra power).
- All fell races are extremely difficult – not true, they are all graded and you can find one to suit all abilities.
- You don’t have to be a supreme navigator – its rare you are out of sight of the runner in front except in bad weather or very long races. But you are mostly obliged to carry a map and a compass, so navigation is a good skill to have or learn.
- Fell racing involves negotiating dangerous descents at huge speed. This is only true for the racing elite. Most runners run slowly on difficult and exposed ground and there are often lines that avoid difficult rocky ground.
- It is the preserve of men – try telling that to Nicky Spinks, holder of the double Bob Graham Record or Jasmin Paris, an elite fell runner. In fact ladies often perform better than men in endurance events such as AL fell races and ultras.
- Fell runners are all supremely fit athletes – not true, you get all ages, sizes and shapes at fell races. However it is probably true that most on the start line are a determined lot and will run their heart out.
- So in short all reasonably fit runners (and all hill walkers) can take up fell running – so give it a go and it might just change your life !
Why run when you can walk uphill ?
What is Fell Running ?
Fell running, sometimes known as hill running or mountain running, is the sport of running and racing, off road, over upland country where the gradient climbed is a significant component of the difficulty. The name arises from the origins of the English sport on the fells of northern Britain, especially those in the Lake District.
Fell races are organized on the premise that contenders possess mountain navigation skills and carry adequate survival equipment as prescribed by the organizer. This is what really differentiates fell running from trail running. There are generally no marked trails, unless the organiser wants you to follow a prescribed route to meet ecological / land owner requirements. You are totally free to choose your route between mandatory checkpoints. Fell races are not intended however to be orienteering challenges and the navigation is generally straight forward (in good weather). Fell races will generally traverse recognised high level routes but may not always follow recognised footpaths/bridleways and frequently follow narrow “trods”. There is generally some requirement to negotiate steep and difficult terrain, although this does vary and the level of difficulty is advertised by the organisers (see below). Competitors in fell races are generally expected to be totally self-sufficient, this means you should expect no water (or food stations) until the finish and you must carry suitable safety gear and have basic navigation skills on tougher races.
And there’s the rub – for me that is the fun bit:
- There’s always a bit of jeopardy – what’s the weather, navigation, terrain, ….. ? runner v nature
- Often amazing locations and spectacular views.
- Friendly and relaxed atmosphere,
- Affordable, good value, local races (generally entry on the day for less than £10)
- Sometimes even free beer……
Often the best days out are the pre-race recce’s to make sure you know the route – time for banter and a relaxed energy bar stop.
A Brief History of Fell Running
The first recorded hill race took place in Scotland. King Malcolm Canmore organised a race in Braemar in 1040, reputedly to find a swift messenger. From the 19th century records survive of fell races taking place as a part of community fairs and games. The sport was a simple affair and was based upon each community’s values for physical ability. Fell races took place alongside other sports such as wrestling, sprint races and (especially in Scotland) heavy events such as throwing the hammer. These fairs or games events were often commercial as well as cultural, with livestock shows and sales taking place alongside music, dancing and sports. In a community of shepherds and agricultural labourers comparisons of speed and strength were interesting to spectators and a source of professional pride for competitors. A fast shepherd or a strong labourer were as respected, one imagines, as any top-ranking colleague in a more “modern” employment. The most famous of these events in England, the Grasmere Sports meeting in the Lake District, with its Guide’s Race (see photo), still takes place every year in August.
Grasmere Guides Race
The Fell Runners Association (FRA) started in April 1970 to organise the duplication of event calendars for the amateur sport. As of 2013 the FRA administers amateur fell running in England, in affiliation with UK athletics. Separate governing bodies exist for each country of the United Kingdom and each country has its own tradition of fell running, though the sport is largely the same.
Icons of Fell Running: Nicky Spinks getting support from Joss Naylor after her double BG
Race Categories
Races are categorised as A (hardest) to C (milder) on the basis of the amount of climbing?, and long, medium or short on the basis of distance. The FRA race calendar gives all key details of their races and can be found here
| Ascent categories | |
|---|---|
| Category A | Should average not less than 50 metres climb per kilometre. Should not have more than 20% of the race distance on road. Should be at least 1.5 kilometres in length. |
| Category B | Should average not less than 25 metres climb per kilometre. Should not have more than 30% of the race distance on road. |
| Category C | Should average not less than 20 metres climb per kilometre. Should not have more than 40% of the race distance on road. Should contain some genuine fell terrain. |
| Distance Categories | |
|---|---|
| Category L | A category “L” (long) race is 20 kilometres or over. |
| Category M | A category “M” (medium) race is over 10 kilometres but less than 20 kilometres. |
| Category S | A category “S” (short) race is 10 kilometres or less. |
As a beginner fell runner you should be looking for shorter (S and M) and easier (B and C) races. Although I would say that the terrain is a very important factor in race “scariness” and would recommend beginners avoid short BOFRA races (these tend to be short and steep up and down races in the Dales) and avoid areas of rocky terrain such as the Lakes. Avoid some of the longer “classics” in the Lakes, until you have a few under your feet. There are plenty of grassy and heathery races to choose from without travelling far.
More challenging races may also be designated ‘experience required’ (ER), or ‘navigational skills required’ (NS). Most race routes are not flagged except at critical points such as the start and finish and, indeed, part of the challenge of fell racing is to find the optimum route between the compulsory check-points. Fell runners are expected to be able to find their way round the course, whatever the weather. The best way to be confident on difficult, longer races is to recce the course and to have planned escape routes.
Choose your race carefully. Picture of Jasmin Paris in Tromso Sky Race (Sky Races are “Extreme”)Choose your race carefully. Picture of Jasmin Paris in Tromso Sky Race (Sky Races are “Extreme”)
What kit do you need to get started ?
Fell Shoes
Studded fell shoes are a must (see Marc’s previous article) {insert hyperlink to it} If in doubt you won’t go far wrong with a pair of Inov8 Mudclaw.. Fell shoes should ideally be put on when they are damp or wet as all shoes stretch when wet and your feet will invariably get wet in most fell races.
Safety kit
As a beginner to fell running if you are sticking to easier races then all you may need is a suitable windproof or waterproof jacket, depending on conditions. You should always use common sense and take appropriate kit for the course and conditions.
For more challenging AL, AM and BL races ‘Best Practice Kit’ is the mandatory minimum. Race Organisers may require it to be carried at other categories of event so check this before you leave home!
‘Best Practice Kit’ comprises:-
- Waterproof jacket (with hood)
- Waterproof trousers
- Hat, gloves,
- Map of the route, compass,
- Whistle,
- Emergency food (a gel / energy bar usually suffices).
The Race Organiser may check your kit before you are allowed to register, or at any time during the race. Runners often question whether this level of kit is necessary – the kit is not needed when you are running strongly, but for a runner stopped because of injury or tiredness it could be a life-saver, either for you or for someone else in difficulties. These rules were introduced because fell runners have died of hypothermia after getting lost and stopping running (but please do not be put off by this. If you adopt a sensible and precautionary approach you will be fine).
Clearly if you are going to attempt a more challenging race then you will also need a means of carrying this kit. Bumbags are popular in fell races but I prefer a close fitting running rucksack or vest (for ultras).
Personal Attributes Required
Fitness
A moderate level of fitness and some experience of trail running is required but not all fell runners are supreme athletes. Mental strength, commitment, bloody mindedness and determination are probably more important attributes, especially as you progress to more challenging races and there are challenging cut off times. Again the advice is to start on shorter and easier races to build your confidence and find your level / preferred race type. Once you get the fell running bug then hill training is clearly important if you want to improve (come along to Marie/Garth’s winter training sessions and these will help).
Navigational Ability
Basic map reading skills are beneficial for the easier races but if you are a reasonably strong runner then it is rare to lose sight of the field for long enough to bother getting a map out in my experience. Clearly there is always a risk that you will have to navigate and this risk increases for the longer and more challenging races and in poor weather conditions. I arranged one basic navigation training session a couple of years ago and would be happy to do so again if there is sufficient interest. Clearly if you want to take up fell running in all seasons and participate in the more challenging races then navigational ability (including being able to navigate with a compass in fog) could be a “life-saver”. Check for a NS rating of the race before entry. There is some good information on navigation on this website if you want to brush up your skills http://everythingoutdoors.co.uk/how_to/navigation-tips/
Confidence
Starting out in fell racing can be intimidating. Ask friends for advice and run with a friend for your first few races. Choose races on grassy terrain to start with e.g. Pendle, Peak District, Ilkley areas are generally easier than the Lakes and the short Dales races.
I would recommend running with a friend for at least your first fell race if you lack confidence to go it alone. I owe Marc a huge debt of gratitude for twisting my arm into running my first fell race at Heptonstall – even if he did run off and leave me in the last couple of miles when I faltered on a steep descent (perhaps that was part of the initiation). I’ve never looked back since.
Some “Easy” local races coming up in the near future are:
Ilkley Incline 7 Sept
A quirky 1 mile uphill-only “sprint” (see http://www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk/index.php?page=incline for details)
Yorkshireman (half marathon) 11 Sept
A straightforward BL Fell race 14.8miles long with 1750 feet of climbing (see http://www.kcac.co.uk/club-races/yorkshireman/ for details)
Rombalds Romp 2 Oct
A 6.5 Mile (approx.) ‘Fell’ v ‘Trail’ Race on Ilkley Moor (see http://www.abbeyrunners.co.uk/rombalds-romp/ for details)
If you have any questions or would like further advice then please let me know.
Nathan