Three Peaks Fell Race

[Antisocial]

Seems a touch sensitive - "B" doesn't mean second best, does it?

AL/BL etc doesn't indicate quality and it was never intended to, surely?

If AL/BL etc is considered to be a measure of quality then we are back to the 'proper fell race' argument again.

The status (or "quality"), classic or otherwise is determined by any number of factor, as YT notes, but the grade is intended to give an indication, an indication only, of the severity or something similar.

An interesting point - I would agree B does not mean second best - look at the Trog and Noonstones both B's they do not go up Mountains but I would suggest they can be just as tough and have more challenging terrain - bog etc than some A's.

However to some race organisers does category = status, look at Ilkley Moor fell race - the route is quite contrived (going up and down the same hillside when the potential area for the race is huge) and consequently a cat A - if the route was more natural to the lay of the land I would suggest it would be a B .

If newer race organisers (and I have no idea of the age of Ilkley Moor) follow the categories as the FRA guide could we end up with some very challeging but ultimately contrived routes for the sake of it - up and down Pendle hill several times for example with lots of taped areas (fell/mountain cross country anyone) Or do we have that already at some races ? (Thats a question - I don't know the answer)

[Stagger]

An interesting point - I would agree B does not mean second best - look at the Trog and Noonstones both B's they do not go up Mountains but I would suggest they can be just as tough and have more challenging terrain - bog etc than some A's.

Incorrect statement Sir!

Please refer to the link posted below

http://www.todharriers.co.uk/noonstone.htm

PS
Although I see you point in regards to toughness due to terrain

[Antisocial]

Sorry - I retract the statement that Noonstones is a B - it just feels like it compared to the flat bit bit between the hills on the three peaks

[Fellhound]

Hmm, it's certainly true that hieght gain or even distance/height gain isn't infallible as a measure of toughness. I remember when I first started (TOO many years ago) being puzzled why the record for the Winter Hill (11/2700) was so much slower than Kentmere (12/3300). Once I'd done both I realised it was the fiendish Winter Hill terrain that had slowed Dave Cartridge down so much!

And another thing - I'm sure I'm not the only one who usually finds Cat Bs tougher than Cat As, and Cat Cs even harder.. All that fast running kills me. Give me a turf-clutching climb anyday

[IainR]

And another thing - I'm sure I'm not the only one who usually finds Cat Bs tougher than Cat As, and Cat Cs even harder.. All that fast running kills me. Give me a turf-clutching climb anyday

That's what I think.

The runnable races, like the cardington Cracker are so bloody hard because bar some short steep sections its all runnable, I think that's why Edale Skyline is a hard race too as you actually end up running for 20 miles, whereas in similar length/duration races you probably walk for half your time out.

[Antisocial]

That's what I think.

The runnable races, like the cardington Cracker are so bloody hard because bar some short steep sections its all runnable, I think that's why Edale Skyline is a hard race too as you actually end up running for 20 miles, whereas in similar length/duration races you probably walk for half your time out.

So you are suggesting that fell runners are softies and wimps because we walk?stagger up hills, whilst road runners are the only true hard men of running because they run continually . Which would mean A races are for the especially soft - so correctly categorising the 3 peaks to a B would give it more status.

Brett ran Blackpool 1/2 marathon recently does that make him on a par Rambo?

[Fellhound]

So you are suggesting that fell runners are softies and wimps because we walk?stagger up hills, whilst road runners are the only true hard men of running because they run continually . Which would mean A races are for the especially soft - so correctly categorising the 3 peaks to a B would give it more status.

Brett ran Blackpool 1/2 marathon recently does that make him on a par Rambo?

YES! Exactly.

Think about the Marathon (no, go on, just for a minute) You set off and you've nothing to look forward to apart from the end - 26 miles away. At least in a fell race you can look forward to running downhill for a bit after the first top, and if it's a proper softy CatA you might be able to walk most of the way to the first top anyway. It's excellent!

[IainR]

God yeah, I find 10 k road races so much more brutal than many fell races.

A 4 hr fell run is so much easier on the body/muslces/joints than a 4 hr road/flat run IMO.

Run for 21.5 hrs on the flat, then for 21.5 hrs in the fells, which one leaves you more feeling like you've been ragged by an elephant? :-)

[Antisocial]

God yeah, I find 10 k road races so much more brutal than many fell races.

A 4 hr fell run is so much easier on the body/muslces/joints than a 4 hr road/flat run IMO.

Run for 21.5 hrs on the flat, then for 21.5 hrs in the fells, which one leaves you more feeling like you've been ragged by an elephant? :-)

Er - I've never been ragged by an elephant - whats it like?

[Fellhound]

I think it would be like running 21.5 hours on the flat - unimaginable!!