Do you mean pain as in the event or the cost![]()
It's a good 'un though, even at the money... they say the hill on the run is a killer, and they mean it, but the venue is great and the bike course, a cracker.
Helvellyn is a beauty... How the hell Ali Brownlee got round in the time he did last year I don't know. Can't speak for the Vit, but have unfinished business at Helvellyn...
... does that sound a bit triathlon-esque of me?!!
you know... a bit like Jeremy Clarkson!
Money-wise, it's a different league to fell races, but Bala is a great one, and if that's worth the money, then the awesome Helvellyn is cheap at (literally) half the price.
Wensleydale is the same price, roughly, as Helvellyn, but this year will be my first time, so can't speak for what it's like as a race. Reportedly a good 'un and in some respects, harder than Helvellyn. The water is colder; the cycle route has nastier hills and the run is all run-able. I must dig out a review of it on here somewhere.
A whole year's fell running didn't cost me as much as Bala, but granted, I don't do many races.
I'm hoping to get to Helvellyn, it just depends![]()