Quote Originally Posted by Mark G View Post
I think a lot of us came in to it (fell running) from a more general outdoor/mountaineering type background and for me at least it started as a way to move further/faster/lighter across the fells. I started doing a few races and mountain marathons etc from there but its always been more about being on the hill than racing across the hills although I do enjoy races as well as just going out.
I think the question to ask is 'If there were no fell races at all would you still go running across the fells?' For me the answer is a resounding YES. The follow up question is probably 'If there were no fell races at all would you enter road or track races instead?' For me the answer is NO - I'd be too busy running over the fells!
Couldn't have expressed it any better myself. I read a wonderful quote from Killian Jornet (the Spanish Ultra runner) who when asked what sort of a runner he is, he said "I'm not a runner, I'm a mountaineer who likes to move fast". I enjoy racing too, but only because it provides me with an opportunity to go and find other places to run that I've not been too before.