Mount Famine

This was asked a few years ago. Unless the course has changed, here was the most useful response:

Start at foot of Elle Bank (SK 045 866) and climb to top (flagged
section). Bear left to follow path by wall and follow wall round to
the right. Bear left to cut off corner of wood and descend through
trees to path to descend to gate (052868). Through gate and turn
right uphill and proceed along ridge path (Dragon's Back) to summit of
Mount Famine (056849). Continue downhill to cross stile and descend
to bridleway (058846). Cross bridleway and ascend to summit of South
Head (060845) then bear slightly left to descend to bridleway again
(062846).

Descend Dimpus Clough leaving path at flagged section near 061851 and
turn left to reascend following stream uphill. Bear right near 059849
to climb back up to stile below Mt Famine (056848). Retrace route
over Mt Famine back to gate at 052868. Straight ahead at gate to
descend on bridleway past Stones House and on past start. Follow
bridleway then road (Valley Rd) back towards Hayfield. Turn right then
left (marshalled) at 040867 to enter Recreation Ground and cross
bridge then turn right to finishing straight and finish at 038868.

A great little race. Lantern Pike Dash is also a cracker (but don't fall in the badger's sett). Enjoy!

Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thuggie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Corking little run in the three days in may - one of six peak fell races in 9 days if your 'ard enough.

On your marks . . .

You need to mark which tree we turn left at ;-)

On your Marks (on your Granvilles??)? On all fours more like!

Not too sure the photo gives the right sense of steepness.
Here's a view of the 2008 race:-

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mfrtbv1K7eY/S-...0/IMG_0007.JPG

yep, its an 'ellish start alright

Here's a few photos from today's race. A couple at the start, then the rest taken from Christine's Gate, just as the runners descended from the ridge.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/GeoffB...ountFamine2010#

Very frustrating to be watching you all.

1st Man - Simon Bailey

1st Lady - Judith Jepson

A few photos from Mount Famine!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/finniga...th/4609243242/

Good photos GB and FJ. You need a really fast shutter speed to capture my descending ;)

Mount Famine is a real gem of a race. Thanks to everyone involved for making it possible.

Brother 'dragged' me along to this. Was a toughie. 61 mins, will be back next yr. Enjoyed it in a wierd sense.

A few more pictures from todays race can be found here:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ShaunP...eat=directlink

They are mostly from the top of the descent after South Head with a few from near the end.

I must try to upload sooner - GeoffB & Finniganjones were much faster. Some good photos in their sets as well - particularly the one of Simon Bailey climbing back onto Mount Famine by Finniganjones, it really shows how steep that climb is!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffB

1st Man - Simon Bailey

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Impressive - 1:25 inside Lloyd's record and 4 minutes in front of the next man (Sam Tosh of Rossendale).

What a start, the incline that is, (my start was crap, no grip, time for some new shoes).
I'd heard it was steep but bloody hell...

A very tough 5 miler for me but thanks to all who put the race on, and those who post the pics so I've got some memories of the pain!
Back there next year.

Attachment 3626Simon Bailey on his way to a new record.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ShaunP...77565147723842

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffB

Here's a few photos from today's race. A couple at the start, then the rest taken from Christine's Gate, just as the runners descended from the ridge.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/GeoffB...ountFamine2010#

Very frustrating to be watching you all.

1st Man - Simon Bailey

1st Lady - Judith Jepson

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Hi Geoff.
Know how you feel. I wasn't able to make the race saturday. The pics looks ace :cool:

Tim

So who's heading to this little beastie this weekend?
Alas I'm unable to (British O Champs in Sheffield) which is a shame as I'd like to see how I get on without racing the May Queen the evening previous!
I'll be thinking of you all slogging up from Dimpus Clough, you poor buggers!

For those of you who aren't doing Mearley Clough on Saturday, don't forget the Peak District Class - Mount Famine - with the unique race start.

Registration at Hayfield Scout Hut - about a 10 minute gentle jog to the race start.

Hope to see you there...

Looking forward to it :)

Yes me too. Hoping to get a better grip at the start this year though !
Should be a few from Long Eaton going.
A classic start.

Zero conversation after 5 seconds of the start on this one. everyone seems to go quiet

"unique race start".....? care to explain? interested to know

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cyclops

"unique race start".....? care to explain? interested to know

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We're not used to so much flat treeless tarmac at the start a fell race. :wink:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cyclops

"unique race start".....? care to explain? interested to know

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This is a lot steeper than it looks... http://picasaweb.google.com/GeoffBri...88395225799330

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fell Donkey

This is a lot steeper than it looks... http://picasaweb.google.com/GeoffBri...88395225799330

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Ooo I like that picture - I'm ahead of John Hewitt!

I like that picture - I'm in 7th!
There's a bit of tape up there, it's like a scavenger hunt!
alas hunting for 20+ orange-and-white-square-tapes tomorrow instead and not doing this - I hope it's worth it!

I shall wander my way over there. Tried to convince my sister to sign up for 5 miles of interestingness and excitment, but she only brought walking boots up with her...
next time eh.

see you in a coupla hours...

Brutal as ever. I can still taste the blood in my mouth...

Yup Brutal.
liked the horizontal rain. nice touch.

log of it here... as soon as I can find the camera, there'll be a pic or two up.

http://globaltherapies.blogspot.com/...nt-famine.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zephr

Yup Brutal.
liked the horizontal rain. nice touch.

log of it here... as soon as I can find the camera, there'll be a pic or two up.

http://globaltherapies.blogspot.com/...nt-famine.html

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Nice race report.

I was impressed with your finish, too. I was the rather wet bloke taking numbers at the finish, thinking "Hmm, a Glossopdale runner that I don't recognise - wonder who that is?" Now I know!

yep, that was Zephr! I'm his other half that took the photos.

any glossopdale runners - I think I got pics of most of you. if you want a copy let me know yr number and email and I'll send it over to you. I'm afraid the ones from the start are pretty much just yr backs!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffB

Nice race report.

I was impressed with your finish, too. I was the rather wet bloke taking numbers at the finish, thinking "Hmm, a Glossopdale runner that I don't recognise - wonder who that is?" Now I know!

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There was someone at the end taking pictures?
I had NO idea!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zephr

There was someone at the end taking pictures?
I had NO idea!

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And I had no idea there was a second person in hot pursuit trying quite that hard until I hit the beginning of the final funnel and realised there was not one but two sets of pounding feet and lungs rapidly homing in on me. Perhaps you could shout me a warning next time?! Well run, Zephr.

I honestly couldnt have shouted, I could barely speak! I was trying to catch you 2 all the way down the path- for about the last 800 metres, and had all but resigned myself to not catching either of you.

Hi all what a absolute fantastic short race, crazy start and some good acents and brill decents. Also thanks to the organisers and the cake at the end . forgot to mention meeting green flash, how can you not miss them shorts lol ;-]

One of my favourites this. The climb up from Dimpus Clough always proves "interesting" ...

A prior engagement (!) has kept me away this year, but well done to all finishers, especially you Mr Green Flash !

Saturday was the first time I’ve raced MF. Really enjoyed it. The run down from South Head is great fun.
Thanks to everyone involved. I was very happy to see Geoff and his clipboard at the end of the race.

Thanks to all involved, organisers, marshalls and racers. Particularly thanks to guy who knew the route and prevented me running off course into the woods near the end instead of down the grassy hill! Only my third fell race so was a delight to finally be exposed to the kind of stuff I've only read about - horizontal rain, insane ascents, enjoyable descents and getting lost. All that for a few quid. Brilliant. :thumbup:

Results are now up on the URL below. Thanks to Mark Boulton for compiling these.

Cheers, Steve