Bet you've heard this before

Here's one you've heard before. I've just finished reading 'feet in the clouds' -loved it, devoured it, and would love to try my hand in a proper fell race.

I'm not new to running, and not entirely new to fell running, as i do a lot of running on the south downs, and have even been for the occasional run up a hill on visits to the lakes (i also ran in the beachy head marathon last year, which is fell-ish, i.e. entirely off road with a fair bit a ascent).

Trouble is, living about as far south as you can get, there aren't too many local fell runners who could take me under their wing! any advice on training and preparation, or suggestions as to beginner friendly races that aren't too far north would therefore be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Neil.

As mentioned on here yesterday, I found the Box Hill Fell Race in Surrey to be a beginner friednly race.

http://www.sloweb.org.uk/events/20070120/index.htm

Trouble is, that was only last month!

Matt

Trundle Hill nr Chichester in May , Goodwood 10K in July and Butser in Hampshire just off the A3 in September are the nearest you'll get B4 the next Box Hill. There is also a fell series on the Isle of Wight. See you on the Downs.

Please note that Box Hill fills up very early - I just missed it this year (posted my entry the day befor the 'race full' notice appeared on the web!). I don't think there are any problems with any of the others Downsman mentions.

Butser is a great race - good course for spectators, juniors races, and a beer tent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by downsman

Trundle Hill nr Chichester in May , Goodwood 10K in July and Butser in Hampshire just off the A3 in September are the nearest you'll get B4 the next Box Hill. There is also a fell series on the Isle of Wight. See you on the Downs.

---

Is Trundle Hill a midweek race held as part of the West Sussex Fun Run League? If so, I did that a couple of years ago and remeber it being great fun (coming back down the hell that is!).

Matt

Yes- it is a Wednesday race part of WSFRL. One of the better races in the calendar.

Also check out http://www.trionium.com/mm/ for midsummer munro. Some other trail races on there as well. A tad on the expensive side, mind...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gej

Butser is a great race - good course for spectators, juniors races, and a beer tent.

---

Is there a link for the Buster race? Can't find it on google

Don't forget - Beachy Head marathon, 3 Forts Marathon, Steyning Stinger. All good, off-road marathons with enough climb to make it hurt. Maybe the Clarenden marathon should go on the list, and that silly "Picnic" thing in the Surrey Hills. All good training for the real thing. If you can do the Beachy Head marathon you should be able to do 3 Peaks, for example, may need to navigate a bit though.

Downsrunner I've seen that avatar elsewhere. Assuming you're the same person not an avatar thief, it's nice to see you here!

www.butserchallenge.com has a map of the course and last years entry form. No sign of any results though.

I'm afraid I think the Midsummer Munro is far too expensive - nearly as bad as the Great South!

:eek: I've just looked at the price of the Midsummer Munro.
I couldn't agree more, gej!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by downsrunner

Trouble is, living about as far south as you can get, there aren't too many local fell runners who could take me under their wing! any advice on training and preparation, or suggestions as to beginner friendly races that aren't too far north would therefore be greatly appreciated.

---

Going back to your original question...
With your experience you probably don't need to think about beginner friendly races so much as respecting beginner-unfriendly races. You can probably handle nearly all the races in the calendar, but you might like to get a few races under your belt before taking on long races with extreme climb and difficult terrain underfoot (such as found in the Lakes and Snowdonia). Most races in the Peaks and South Wales should be within your grasp, but choose a couple of short or medium races first so you can assess your own abilities and take it from there. Maybe races like Waun Fach (med), Kinder Downfall (med) would be good to build confidence and Brecon Beacons (long), Edale Skyline (long but full this year), 3 Peaks (long, further north) would be good ones to try after that. These suggestions don't make much sense chronologially, but it depends how many races you have time for this year.

Navigation - mostly it's more about having the inside knowledge on best routes / lines that makes the difference, and you can't train for that, you have to enter the races and pick up the knowledge by talking to people.

Difficult terrain - for uneven terrain your running on the South Downs will stand you in good stead, you just need to do some recces / enter some races and get some practise.

What I'm trying to say is that I think you have the basic map/compass skills, agility, and a start on the required leg strength, and you will cope with most fell races ok.

Join the FRA, get the calendar, plan some races and training, go ahead, take the plunge:)

Steve

Cheers for all the replies guys, i've only just figured out how to check if i had any (complicated forum this)! All those race suggestions have given me something to think about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stevie

Downsrunner I've seen that avatar elsewhere. Assuming you're the same person not an avatar thief, it's nice to see you here!

---

You found me out Stevie, i'm on the runnersworld forums as mudmoster and have used the same avatar here. as you can probably tell from that name i've always far preferred off road to pavement plodding so it was probably inevitable that i'd find my way here eventually! have to say i'm really chuffed to hear you speak so positively about my current experience and the likelihood of me coping in a proper fell race. I'd still give even the shortest of races the respect it's due but you've really spurred me on to give it a go.

Yeah I hung around the Beachy Head marathon forum a bit last year. Your reports on the ground condition were useful, although my shoe selection was never in doubt. In the end it was pretty fast underfoot as you know.

See you on the fells somewhere!

it's a lot sloppier at the moment, i can tell you! i've just bought a pair of roclites and i'm sliding around all over the place! i may have to line the coffers of messrs walsh at this rate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by downsrunner

it's a lot sloppier at the moment, i can tell you! i've just bought a pair of roclites and i'm sliding around all over the place! i may have to line the coffers of messrs walsh at this rate.

---

I was out this am (Sunday) in my Flyrocs and it is so sloppy at the moment that there were several moments when I wish I'd had my Walshs on, both going down and going up (the 'best' was going trough the entrance to a feild calf deep in a mixture of mud and cow pat)...was fun though and great to be back out after a week spent mostly in bed swaeting and blowing my nose.

We'll have to meet up for some runs in the summer/autumn as the Jog Shop Jog and Beachyhead approach; it'll be a good excuse to travell a few miles and run on some different chalky/flinty paths!:)

All the best - Raymond

sounds good to me raymond, i could probably round up a few other beachy head veterans to make up a downs pounding squad.