So who is gonna be there?
After the fun of Borrowdale, I am really looking forward to this one. A faster more runnable course yet still a stiff challenge with some reasonably big climbs.
Never done it before so if anyone got any tips, maps etc please feel free to share.
thinking of doing this one... not recceeied. Will I be ok? (with my amazing superduper navigational skills.)
Pete Bland map available?
Who else is doing it?
Thanks
Same here. Doing this one for the first time.
While I know the Howgills fairly well, I would be interested to know the route of this particular race.
Any links to maps etc ?
Cheers
DB
My god I thought I was gonna be on my own at this race.
There goes my top place finish
I found the grid refs and a few hints here but still if anyone would like to impart any other knowledge please feel free.
Moo the only real navigation issue is between checkpoints 3 and 4 - which is a dead reckoning across some steep fell sides. It used to be an interesting nav challenge in which runners were all over the fell side, but much to my annoyance, pete bland has produced a map showing more or less the best route - which meant that last year it was a crocodile all on the same route.Originally Posted by moo
thinking of doing this one... not recceeied. Will I be ok? (with my amazing superduper navigational skills.
Pete Bland map available?
Who else is doing it?
Thanks
Except for a certain rather fast lady fell runner ( nameless) who escorted a number of others up to the calf, instead of checkpoint 4! - so just following the ones in front, aint always the best policy!
Details worth knowing are:
The descent to the brook before castley knotts, there is a good path if you know where to look, without which it is a thrutch through some deep and steep stuff!
Theres a dodge that saves a fhundred M which cuts out a loop in the path on the climb before swinging to CP3
If it is wet the detail route from CP3 can save some nasty boggy stuff, and slipping on a very steep descent. Also the detail route to CP4 is quite important. I noticed last year most people aimed straight at the checkpoint from the top of the last climb before CP4 which meant a highish traverse and a steepish descent to the check. Starting to descend a lot earlier and then coming in on the path at the end to the CP, made up quite a few places.
The next top after the calf you can skirt to the right, which saves both climb and distance.
Staying far enough right at the end of the final descent, can be important if you want to stay upright on the final bank down!- made up at least 10 places just there last year on people tiptoing down the steep bank!
Having done a few Darwen Tower races and Rivington, this is my 1st venture at a Long Fell race and I am really looking forward to it.
I've done nearly 4 years running now, mainly roads up to 10 mile and cross country.
I only know the landscape from the drives up the M6 at Shap, so I can imagine this will be the toughest thing I have done yet, but I am looking at the 3 peaks next April and need the qualifying races. Decided to take it in as my daughter is up there for the FRA Junior races.
So tips go largely over my head "always injured" as I will have to follow the crowd. Navigation isn't a problem for me, just that what may look a good route on a map could be disasterous without a recce, so not going to take a chance. Just try and get around, and enjoy it.
Hopefully the conditions will be light enough for us to enjoy the scenery.
Sedbergh is a BIG step up from Darwen Tower/Rivi Pike/10 mile road or XC.
I wish you well
KEITH
I recced the northern section a few weeks back in good weather conditions and the navigation between 3 and 4 was fine with 3 obvious saddles to aim at. I suspect that even in clag most of that section would be fairly straightforward, but a couple of points I'm glad I picked up were:
- staying to the right of the gill heading up to the saddle below Simon's Seat
- contouring round Simon's Seat from the top of that saddle for a fair distance before heading down towards the valley bottom below Hazelgill Knott
- at the top of the saddle to the north of Hazelgill Knott staying high and contouring above a few dodgy looking gullies before heading down towards the path.
Fantastic course, and the path that winds along the hillsides towards Black Force is great fun.
I notice a few races are being cancelled due to the F&M situation. Anyone know if this one is at risk?
Hi Keith, Fancy seeing you on here. I know it's a big step up but I will be concentrating on getting round rather than racing and I'm really looking forward to it. Mileage has gone well lately - so should be OK if sensible.
As long as we get reasonable weather. Worst thing is, I'll miss watching my daughter.
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