Championship Races 2023

No time for rumour or conjecture this year - straight off the bat at yesterday's FRA AGM:

Senior English Championship Races 2023
11th February - Long Mynd Valleys - AM 18.5km/11.5miles; 1372m/4501’. Church Stretton, Shropshire.
13th May - Fairfield Horseshoe - AM 14.5km/9 miles; 914m/1999’. Rydal Hall, Cumbria.
3rd June - Duddon Valley - AL 29km/18 miles; 1830m/6004'. Newfield Inn, Seathwaite, Cumbria.
23rd July - Chapelfell Top - AS 7km/4.4 miles; 400m/1312’ - St. John’s Chapel, Weardale, Co. Durham.
20th August - Sedbergh Hills - AL 22.5k/14miles; 1830m/6004' - Sedbergh, Cumbria.
23rd September - John Hewitt Shelf Moor - AS 9.1km/5.7miles; 457m/1499’- Old Glossop, Derbyshire.

March 25th - Mourne Maurauder AM 16.0km/10 miles; 1200m/3940’ - Newcastle, Co. Down.
July 1st - Meall an t-Suide Graham Brooks Memorial - AS 5.6km/3.5 miles; 460m/1510’ - Fort William.
5th August - Maesgwm Detour AM 18.9km/11.7 miles 1060m/3480’ - Llanberis, Gwynedd.
20th August - Sedbergh Hills - AL 22.5k/14 miles; 1830m/6004’ - Sedbergh, Cumbria.

Thanks ba-ba. Clearly we should have started the conjecture earlier [note to self for next year] :).

I was planning on focusing on some other races next year, but think I'll have a pop at English again, as Long Mynd Valleys and Fairfield were already ones I was thinking about.

Chapelfell Top looks interesting, straight up and down....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

Chapelfell Top looks interesting, straight up and down....

---

route-choice on an out-and-back and some heavy ground and all!

Its great that they appear to be using the Long Mynd Valleys on the original February date.... An early start for the Champs.

A few years ago when it was a Champs race, they had the usual race in Feb, then ran it again in March/April specially for the champs.

I asked about a March but not available for access. I think a Feb race adds in a different Fell Running skill - not something I'd want done every year but every now and then yes (in 2011? it used the Feb date). Made sure there's 2 weeks of recovery before The National for the quick lads!

Yes i'll have to miss our final League XC fixture to do the Valleys!

Fairfield is quoted as having 1000' less climb than it actually is.

I'll have a bash at Fairfield, i can probably set a target of 1.35 if i can learn the way round the bad step and go round that awful rocky lump directly after Fairfield on the way back down. The PB race map advises going round to the left.

Long Mynd Valleys is my best chance of decent points... early in the year, southerly location, so possibly a smaller turnout... and bang in the XC season so will be fit... plus there won't be many there who know the course as well as me... think it will be my 7th or 8th running, plus many other runs taking in parts of the route.

Fairfield should be my type of route, very runnable, but will struggle for points with i assume a huge lineup.

Similar for Sedbergh, love the race, suits me well, but opposition will be strong.

Might do ok at ChapelFell, fancy my chances at a short race, especially that time of year when i'm doing a lot of short training.

Won't do Duddon, not my type of race. Shelf Moor an insurance policy at the end if i need it.

*all the above based on current form... i could always improve (which is the aim!!)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mr brightside

Fairfield is quoted as having 1000' less climb than it actually is.

---

good spot, finger slipped!

Chapelfell is a good race, once you get off the track it's pathless over peat hags, long grass etc. Plus as you can't see the summit checkpoint til you get on the top you either take a bearing or hope the person in front is going the right way!

I did not run any of the English Champs races last year having concentrated on the Welsh.

I have not planned next years races yet but after yesterdays Breidden Hills being the first in the Shropshire Winter series I have decided to do the others. This includes Long Mynd Valleys, which is also the first in the English Champs so if I manage to do one I might as well have a look at the others.

Sometimes things sort of fall into place!

Next Shropshire one is Callow November 20th. Best short race in the country, see you there...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

Next Shropshire one is Callow November 20th. Best short race in the country, see you there...

---

Most would say Dunnerdale for the best short race in fell running.

Of course, i've not done Dunnerdale... but then again i wonder how many Dunnerdale-lovers have done Callow.

Callow does have almost 50% more climb and descent in the same distance.

I've not done the race but have run the route of Dunnerdale and it would definitely be up there as one of the best short races in the country.
However (and I'm sure I've mentioned this before), Callow always gets my vote as it packs in probably the best climbs (760m) and scenery the Long Mynd has to offer in just over 8k. Apart from the initial cavalry charge across a flat field it is pretty relentless - 4 very steep climbs followed by equally tough descents. What's not to like?

ChapelFell Top, 23rd July.... is this a confirmed date?

As it is a sunday... a rare one if a champs race on a sunday....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

ChapelFell Top, 23rd July.... is this a confirmed date?

As it is a sunday... a rare one if a champs race on a sunday....

---

This years race was on a Tuesday so it has already had a day change, but as you say Travs, rare for a Sunday.

Chapelfelltop is on a Sunday as it stands.
There have been Sunday champs races before - often on the Mynd.

ba-ba (or anyone else): do you have any idea when the relays are pencilled in to be?

I need to set a date for Castle Carr for next year and I need to avoid the relays.
Based on previous years I would expect the relays to be the weekend of 15th Oct, and I put Castle Carr on the 22nd. But I heard a rumour that the relays are pencilled in for the weekend of the 22nd next year.
I have to avoid the OMM on the 28th too (mainly because I'm usually there!) so that would mean the 15th for Castle Carr.

I know the date for the relays won't be set in stone yet, but any info you have would be great thanks!

the date I have is 21st October, but worth double checking with Keswick!

Long Mynd Valleys, first race... Friday 10am entry open for FRA members.

4 weeks out from the first race.

Hope everybody's preparation is going well.

Taking a look down the start list, which is absolutely stacked, i feel i'm in the same position as last year... if i run well then some v40 points are potentially up for grabs. But there are a lot of v40 runners of similar ability to me and i'll probably need a pb to score points. And of course a number of veteran runners that i've got no knowledge of.

Although it doesn't get any easier... when you look through the line-up and the likes of Carl Bell, Steve Hebblethwaite etc moving up to veteran category!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

4 weeks out from the first race.

Hope everybody's preparation is going well.

Taking a look down the start list, which is absolutely stacked, i feel i'm in the same position as last year... if i run well then some v40 points are potentially up for grabs. But there are a lot of v40 runners of similar ability to me and i'll probably need a pb to score points. And of course a number of veteran runners that i've got no knowledge of.

Although it doesn't get any easier... when you look through the line-up and the likes of Carl Bell, Steve Hebblethwaite etc moving up to veteran category!

---

You do have the advantage that you are rather familiar with the Long Mynd (and its dreaded valleys), which won't be the case for many of the runners from Cumbria, Yorkshire, etc.

Enjoyed the Charlie Baker podcast, featuring Ba-ba, previewing both the upcoming championships as a whole, and in particular this weekend's opening race.

It is a fascinating lineup of runners, both male and female, with some names throwing their hat in the ring after very strong XC seasons.

Looking forward to watching the race unfold. Need to study the map but I think I'll head up to Pole Bank to watch a good chunk, then over to Yearlet to see spirits breaking on the last climb!

Its not a date in my diary, but i wish you all the best travs.

Cracking race today. Conditions pretty much ideal.... Didn't notice any strong wind, and definitely none of the rain/hail storms that accompanied the latter part of last year's race.

Ran a big pb by 6 minutes, but wasn't even close to the v40 points.... Came over the line a shade under 2:05 but would have needed around 1:58 to make the points.

PB aside, i suffered in the second half today, in particular the final climb, where i was two minutes slower than last year.

Clearly my focus on flat running training is overall having a beneficial effect, judging by the result.... but i don't think i'm quite as strong on the uphills as i've been in past years (which is hardly a surprise)

Hello to Llani Boy, and also Ba-ba at the final checkpoint.

Well run Travs - I see 6 men and 1 woman broke the old records. Conditions must have been pretty good.

Good result, travs

Well done Travs. Early season champs races are hard to get points, for us mortals. Hopefully you'll pick some up at the later ones.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

Cracking race today. Conditions pretty much ideal.... Didn't notice any strong wind, and definitely none of the rain/hail storms that accompanied the latter part of last year's race.

Ran a big pb by 6 minutes, but wasn't even close to the v40 points.... Came over the line a shade under 2:05 but would have needed around 1:58 to make the points.

PB aside, i suffered in the second half today, in particular the final climb, where i was two minutes slower than last year.

Clearly my focus on flat running training is overall having a beneficial effect, judging by the result.... but i don't think i'm quite as strong on the uphills as i've been in past years (which is hardly a surprise)

Hello to Llani Boy, and also Ba-ba at the final checkpoint.

---

Good to see you at the start Travs and well done. As you say almost ideal conditions for the race and I’m sure that Billy’s record will stand for many years.

I enjoyed the race but found it tough as I couldn’t get my breathing going and was 5 or 6 minutes down on a couple runners I’m usually around. Finished in 2.19 but disappointed with only 8th M60. The 1st M60 got around in 1.59! I did finish ahead of the 1st M65 and as I’ll be in that category in 6 months time I suppose it wasn’t too bad a run.

A great event put on by Mercia and now looking forward to the next race. Phillipa Williams looking a good bet for the Ladies Championship.

Billy's time brings it in line with Holmesy's record over the original course - any idea how different the course was to then? I understand that the back end may be the bit that's changed most?

Good to see a strong start to the year. A few people not there for various reasons, but not many, fields were pretty stacked. Looking forward to a trawl of the results in the next few days.

You put a Feb race into the championships hoping for a bit of weather to make it interesting, and it's perfect racing conditions! Good for speciating though, there were a few choice words for me on the last climb up Yearlet - what I was after!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ba-ba

Billy's time brings it in line with Holmesy's record over the original course - any idea how different the course was to then? I understand that the back end may be the bit that's changed most?

---

Having done both the old and new courses, I don't think there is much in it in terms of time. When the route changed (to avoid erosion of sensitive sites), I guess an effort was made to make the new course comparable to the old by at least making the ascent and distance the same give or take a metre or two.
Until Ashes Hollow, the routes are the same but the old one went up to Barristers Plain and then directly down to Callow Hollow whereas the new one new one turns right up that nasty little valley and round the back of Round Hill to meet up near the head of Callow Hollow.
The only other difference is after Windy Batch. The old route took in Callow summit which you now miss in a lower line but are forced to take in the foot bridge at the bottom of Ashes Hollow with a CP there. Originally you had free route choice from Callow to Yearlet (I went back via Barristers) but whichever way you go and whether new or old it sorted out the places.

And a bit late to this thread but well done, Pete. Great time and always good to bag a PB.

I've done both old and new courses and I agree with PeteS. My times were similar and the distance/ascent comparable. The old course felt a more natural flowing route though for whatever reason.

I was about 18mins from the footbridge to the top of Yearlet... and for what is effectively a 1/3rd mile valley run, followed by only a couple of hundred metres climb, it shows how tough the Yearlet climb is.

I lost places to a couple of "rivals" between there and the finish (which is only another 9 minutes flat/down.... legs had just gone.

I don't hold out much hope of picking up points at Fairfield, field will be at least as strong and numerous.... perhaps Chapelfell top might have some promise.

I think its a cracking selection of races this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

I don't hold out much hope of picking up points at Fairfield, field will be at least as strong and numerous...

---

Just do it with the intention of beating me.

Interesting to read the proposals for a new British Champs format.

Basically...

One-off Short and Long champs race each year. One of the races will always be in England, and the other rotated around Wales, Scotland, NI.