North Shields Poly Fell Section

The Poly is affiliated to the Fell Runners Association ( FRA). The FRA sets the rules and organises fell running events throughout the country.

Several members of the Club regularly compete in both local events as well as others that are further flung in Cumbria or Scotland. The events are extremely informal, friendly and a good deal cheaper than the standard road race – and often with refreshments available afterwards and a near by stream for a wash down. You also get the chance to run in some of the more beautiful and interesting parts of the countryside. Fell running is also a fine way to build up strength and stamina for other races.

We would like to see if we can get sufficient interest to enter complete teams in events – and even perhaps in the national relays. Please don’t be put off because you’ve never run one before. For anything worthwhile – you need to start somewhere. Dave Johnson has detailed below some of the key points for beginners – as well as suggesting a number of races suitable for novices. It’s possible we may seek to create a Poly fell championship based on these races – but more to follow on this.

For further information please get in touch with Trevor Wakenshaw, David Johnson or Barry Young.

Meantime the Poly has also set up a BLOG to feature some of the races at which we feature at : www.polyfellers.blogspot.com

 

Local Fell Races for novices

Some notes On Fell Racing

Fell routes are graded according to steepness ( A, B or C) and distance, S, M or L, (Short, Medium or Long).

Routes graded as “A” for example must have at least 50 metres ascent for every kilometre, a “B” will have between 25m and 50m per kilometre.

Short Races are 10km or less, Mediums are over 10km but less than 20km and Long are over 20km

All of the following routes should be suitable for relative novices and I have restricted it to distances under 10 miles. The routes are partially marked with tape and you will see this in most places where you might go wrong but don't expect to be mollycoddled.  For these races you will usually find that there is a continual stream of runners to follow unless you are at the back, or as is more likely being a Poly runner, at the front of the field. In the event of any uncertainty there are two ways to get around any fell race.  Use a map or alternatively follow someone and hope they know where they are going! If you don't know the area and you have the chance, it's always worthwhile to have a trot around the course some time before the actual race is due to take place.

Much of the running on these routes is on moorland or hill paths or forestry trails that are likely to be muddy but there is little in the way of rocky terrain. Any steep climb won't last too long

A Few words on Equipment

What you wear during a race is entirely up to you but I am sure you don't need me to tell you that as you will be running in terrain  a bit more exposed and higher, up it might be a tad cooler than on your average road race.

However, whilst what you race in is up to your personal choice, there can be strict requirements on what you have to carry around the race with you. This can vary from nothing on a short race in good weather,  to a full set of waterproof kit, (jacket and overtrousers), plus hat gloves, map, whistle and compass and in a long race, even emergency food. This is decided by the race organiser and there word is law in this respect. Fail to comply and you will be disqualified. The golden rule is to come to any race prepared to carry the kitchen sink. You can always leave stuff in the car if it isn't needed.

Most people carry their kit in a small bumbag which can be bought for not much more than a tenner although a few prefer to use a more expensive lightweight rucksac.  Lightweight and compact jackets and overtrousers can be as expensive or as cheap as you like depending how obsessive you are about weight and space.

You should buy a basic Silva type compass and although you don't need to become an expert navigator, please at least take the trouble to find out which end of the needle points North. Maps can usually be downloaded from the race website where required.

You will probably survive the races listed here in a pair of bog standard trainers as long as you don't mind sustaining some damage to your derriere. However, I would strongly recommend you at least get some trail shoes if you want to enjoy the run. A pair of more aggressively soled fell shoes will also pay dividends on muddier or steeper courses. Whilst you can often pick up trail shoes for as little as £30 if you are lucky or not too choosy, fell shoes will probably set you back at least twice that amount.

 

3rd February  Broughton Wood Wobble
8 km  400m ascent,  Standard AS,  Location North Yorks Moors
Details http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/fixtures/fell/Race%20_Calendar.pdf
Map http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/race_routes/maps/broughton_wood_wobble.pdf

17 February Commondale Clart
8.5 km 225m ascent, Standard BS,  Location North Yorks Moors
Details http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/fixtures/fell/Race%20_Calendar.pdf
Map http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/race_routes/commondale_clart.htm

3 March Glaisdale Rigg
14 km 450m ascent, Standard BM, Location North Yorks Moors
Details http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/fixtures/fell/Race%20_Calendar.pdf
Map http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/race_routes/glaisdale_rigg.htm

10 March Brough Law
8km 400m ascent, Standard AS  –Location  Cheviots
Details and map http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/maps/BroughLaw_2.html

15 May Carlton Challenge
8km 350m ascent,  Standard BS,  Location North Yorks Moors
Details http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/fixtures/fell/Race%20_Calendar.pdf
Map http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/race_routes/carlton_challenge_map.htm

30 May Roseberry Romp
8.2km 300m ascent  Standard BS  Location North Yorkshire Moors
Details http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/fixtures/fell/Race%20_Calendar.pdf

8 June Roman Wall Show Fell Race
7km 200m ascent, Standard BS,  Location Tyne Valley
Details http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=2347

19 June Humbleton Fell Race
8.5km 250m ascent,  Standard BS, Location  Tyne Valley
Details http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/races/notices/2012/Humbleton_Fell_Race_poster.pdf
Map http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/maps/Humbleton_Fell_Race_map.pdf

2 July Saltwell Harriers Fell Race
9km 300m ascent, Standard BS,  Location Weardale
Details http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=2372
Map http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/maps/SaltwellHarriersFell_2.html

11 July Beacon Hill
9km 460m Standard AS  Location Nr Rothbury
Details http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=2292
Map http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/maps/BeaconHill_2.html

11 August Forest Burn
6km 150m ascent, Standard BS, location Near Rothbury
Details http://www.simonsidefair.co.uk/index.html
map http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/maps/ForestBurn_2.html

31 August Bellingham Show
6km 180m Standard BS
Details http://bellinghamshow.blogspot.co.uk/
Map http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/maps/BellinghamShow_2.html

29 September Thropton Show
10km 370m Standard BM, Location Rothbury
Details http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=2183
Map http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/maps/ThroptonSimonside_2.html

This list is by no means exhaustive and I haven't touched on the longer local races or the generally harder more technical and more serious races in the Lakes, Scotland and Wales. A comprehensive list of all English and many Scottish and Welsh races can be found at http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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