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Clent - I remember skiiing there with parents many years ago when it actually snowed in the winter - is there still an old-fashioned pub at the bottom?
Kinver - likewise that was where we all went for the after-Sunday-lunch walk - memories come back!
I did about half of the Kendal winter league last winter - really enjoyed it, in a very cold, wet, muddy "why in gods name am i doing this to myself" masochistic kind of way. I think it was organised by the Kendal AC, but checking on their website last week theres no mention of it for this year which would be a real shame as i ( and a couple of friends) were banking on it. I`m half way thru my degree at the mo, and a hurtle (slog) around in the mud every other sunday is, i reckon, the best way to clear the head for the week ahead. Is this the winter league you mentioned last post. If so, I`d really appreciate any info.
The Hill Tavern is still at the bottom of Clent and has Budweiser on tap.
I'll find out from the club coach and post any details; it may be too early in the season.
By the way, if you like getting wet and muddy in the winter, how about doing 'That's Lyth' in jan, 23 miles from Kendal, across to Whitbarrow, back over scout scar, which I am guessing you would know from the winter league last year?
Moor man,best wishes with your injury, hope there's quick progress.
Thanks for the reply - I`ll keep an eye out for any posted details from yourself. The `Lyth` sounds interesting - depends on how much xmas pud im carrying over!
Ive just done the Dunnerdale fell race over at Broughton today infact - superb, fast,(for others, but not for me !) and although short (5 miles) is a classic race in every way - thoroughly enjoyed it, and highly recommeded.
Also remember thinking what a bargain day out; great route, friendly atmosphere, huge plate of pie & tea afterwards.
Ta
Graeme aka Yentz Boogman !!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way, whilst checking out Uk results calender for next year has the full list of kendal winter league dates starting, from what i can see at scout scar on jan 4, till mid april. http://www.ukresults.net/2004cal.html
Maybe catch you there, you`ll be able to find me, cos i`ll be at the back, with mud up to knee on one leg, with a shoe missing !
Winter league noted, ran Scout scar from my house Sun; let's make a deal to pull each other out of any bog the organisers put there (PS I'll make a point of tripping up any over 60's runner too, don't tell anyone.)
Ever run kentmere horseshoe? There's some great bog potential as well as fantastic ridge running once you've gained the ascent.
In a previous, and altogether more sensible life i walked the kentmere horseshoe a couple of times (and, if my memory serves me right, felt rather pleased with myself at the time - oh what innocence !) It is an excellent round, though it is very up, and down !! Infact i reckon theres not many, if any rounds that i can think of that takes you up, and then breaks your heart by dropping you down again, before dragging you back up again. It makes Fairfield a walk in the park. Is there a horsehoe race, or are you going to tell me that you knock it of most sundays before breakfast, just to intimidate me ?
Had an excellent 3hr run over the Brecon Beacons last Saturday (on Friday the wind chill had apparently been -12, so we got our weather window just right.) Six of us from my Club, all faster than me so I brought up the rear on the climbs, but as only two of us had fell shoes I was well away on the downs. We did a circuit of the northern ridges - lots of walkers / army types with huge packs (what do they all carry?) on the summits but not a soul on the way out and back. Back to the car for 1pm, a welcome beer or two, and home for 3.30pm to ensure domestic harmony.
A quality run - the non-fellrunners amongst us had a great time, so this sort of outing should be a more regular session in future.
Now off to N Wales for brief week-end break - hope to get at least one run in (weather, family and rugby permitting).
Next time you are going to run over the Beacons let me know and I will try and join you if you don't mind. That is my part of the world.
On another subject, anyone here tried the Manx Mountain Marathon in the past, fancy having a go next year.
Richard
I'd forgotten that you were in that part of the world - I'll put a call out next time. We had a great run from Llanfrynach, but there was about 3m of road on the return to totally fry the legs!
Off to check the weekend forecast now, have negotiated Sun am for fell run, if the gods are willing.
p.s - I reckon people who race in half the time only get half the enjoyment - the candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long - whats more i reckon they cheat !
Actually blew my plans by oversleeping since my window of opportunity required me to leave the house at 7.45 am. Had planned to do Fairfield horseshoe after you'd reminded me of it, but needed the sleep and still had nice local off road run with enough hillwork to send hr shooting through the roof. Got Fri off for fell running next week so can't moan.
Heard from guy at the club re winter league starting, it's in my diary for 4th Jan.
Enjoy run on friday - Hope to be out and about by then myself (If my knees arent towing the party line by then, i`ll sack them) and i`ve got scout scar for 4th in my book as well. Have committed myself to Ulverston 10k in a fortnight - i beat my friends time in summer and he`s out for revenge ! Oh happy days
whats the defining difference between the two ?
I see the Mendip muddle is mentioned on this thread - I always thought that was a Xcountry race (albeit a very good one).
Haytor Heller, Ivybridge beacon challenge I always thought were fell races as they pulled you up and down the sides of steep tors and were exclusively run on the moor. Yet they are marketed as cross country races.
Would you class the 15M and stupidly hilly Exmoor Stagger as a Fell race? or is that cross country because it has a couple of small road and track sections in it?
Fell races are run under the auspices of the FRA. X country races are run under different rules normally local AAA.
FRA rules are subtly different in that there are some safety requirements for most Fell races. This generally involves carrying certain equipment (map whistle compass and waterproof) and reporting retirements to the start point (to prevent unecessary searches). Navigational skills are also required in some (but not all) races.
The FRA also grades races according to off road distance and ascent.
I'd agree that there sometimes doesn't seem to be much difference, I'd disagree that there's any snobbery around Fell races. My experience is that Fell runners are one of the friendliest most inclusive groups you'd hope to meet. Its true that there are pre-entry condtions for some of the monster races, but this is generally purely on the grounds of safety. At the vast majority of events you'll find the "Stars" rubbing shoulders with the rabbits - no elite starts !!
One other important difference - well I think its important. 99.9% of fell races start and finish at a pub !!
I'd certainly join FR in disagreeing about any snobbery - what a friendly bunch!
CK - looks like you and I both run for pretty much the same reasons - in Bath there aren't many fells to run over (in fact - none) but the mud cover and grin is still a must!
i thought you had different categories (A,B,C) which a race fell into depending on how much climbing the old legs had to do
I was wondering that when I was filling out the entry form for the Round Rotherham - it lists it on the form as a "Category C long distance fell race"
I wonder what end of the scale C is? does that mean its not very hilly or it is very hilly?
From the FRA web site
And remember on a circular route what goes up must come down....
whilst there may not be many steep hills (by fell running standards), we better not discount the fact that RR is going to be 50 miles in the middle of december - very very cold
better take some ear muffs!
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Ascent of Pen y Fan, Sat 15th Nov by Mark Benham Distance approx 12.5 miles Weather good
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At 886m (2907ft) Pen y Fan stands proudly as the highest peak in the heart
of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The more usual route up is from the
Storey Arms on A470, but this tends to be busy and therefore not inspiring.
Our route was from Llanfrynach, on the other side of the Beacons - much
quieter!
After two days of high winds and rain, we were relieved to find a break in
the weather and be able to continue with our planned ascent. At 10am the
group, which included Tom Hutchinson, Jim Beales, Jo Thompson, Mark Benham,
Andy Mullet and Dan Booth, set off from Llanfrynach, (130m above sea level).
With virtually no wind, it was a pleasant first few miles along the edge of
the river trail and across a few fields before beginning the first steep
climb up to the Cefn Cyff ridge. This ascends steadily and provides the
first decent views of Pen y Fan. It wasn't long before one or two soon
discarded layers of clothing.
Jo and Dan led the way as we began to get a little strung out, but a few
regroups soon brought us back together. Reaching Fan y Big summit at 719m
we caught our breath and put out the first real fire in our muscles. It was
also a chance to admire the spectacular views of classic glacial cirques.
Onward, we scampered down to the Bwich ar y Fan saddle at 599m (Andy and
Dan's fell running experience was evident as they scampered quicker than the
rest). I was beginning to make the most of my new off road shoes and the
superb grip they provided - Jo later admitted that the lack of grip on her
shoes were a reason to take the descents with caution - she sure up for it
on the climbs though!
As expected the Army were out in numbers, putting recruits through their
paces. They looked at as in bemusement, as did the walkers we saw along the
way - Oh to be a runner!
From the saddle the climb to Cribyn took us back up to 795m where we
regrouped again and got a cheesy photo. We didn't hang about though as it
was a bit nippy and we were soon off again, this time descending to about
665m before the final climb to Pen y Fan. Jim and I were beginning to suffer
a little from blisters, but Doctor Hutchinson came to the rescue with
plasters.
Anyone who's climbed Pen y Fan knows how popular it can be - infact I once
saw so many people up there that it reminded me of a car boot sale!
Horrible!! I guess it wasn't too bad on the day considering. After one more
group photo it was all down. Andy and Dan were off!
The next two miles were great fun and easy after the climb as we hurtled
down and made our way back to Llanfrynach along three miles of flatish
country lanes. By this time Jim's consumption of a bottle of wine the night
before had kicked in.
We rounded off a superb day with a few beers. Must do it again!