First fell running clubs

[david]

CFR was formed in 1968.

[Graham Breeze]

CFR were not formed until 1986

In that case Bill Smith was really prescient. His book effectively covers up to 1983 and was published in 1985.

[dominion]

CFR www.c-f-r.org.uk
CFRA www.cfra.co.uk

Are we confusing ourselves?

[Flightless Bird]

What is the general consensus on the following questions:

1. Who were the very first fell running club?
2. Which is the most successful fell running club?
3. Do you think fell running should be an olympic sport?

Magpie,

Why did you need to know? Are you writing a book or?

G....I bet I'm asking a stupid question????

[Magpie]

Magpie,

Why did you need to know? Are you writing a book or?

G....I bet I'm asking a stupid question????

Not writing any book, just thought I would start a topic of conversation

[wheezing donkey]

B*****ks. I started fell running in 1983 and Cumberland Fell Runners were far more prolific then than they are today! I think that they had been around for about 10 years then.

Having just followed 'Dominion's' link to the CFR website and read the club history section, I AM OWING RICHARD HEAD AN APOLOGY. The author categorically states that the club was formed in 1986. HOWEVER, I remember John Wild winning the Downham Race on Pendle Hill in August 1983 as a CFR member. Also in April 1984 several CFR members were present at Paddy Buckley's 'Fleetfoot Mountain Trial' from the Britannia Inn at Elterwater. I distinctly remember, prior to the off, that some of them were warming up in blue sweatshirts with the CFR logo and the 'running hare' motif.
ALSO, if you click on the 'Club Honours' button, they have a club championship back to 1984 and Jack King, as a CFR member, is listed as a winner in the 1979 Island Peaks Yacht Race!!

[A.G]

The birth of Cumberland Fell Runners can be traced to a gradual decline in actual running members and a lack of enthusiastic interest generally on the running side of Cumberland Fell Runners Association (C.F.R.A.). This was, in fairness, partly due to the committee being involved in organising a number of local fell races, and Danny Hughes, the secretary, suggested to the members that it might be beneficial for both runners and organisers if the two were to part company.

Hence a meeting was set for 17th December 1986 at the Pack of Hounds public house (now the Lamplugh Tip) to see if runners of the C.F.R.A. were prepared to come forward and set about forming what was to be virtually a new club. Twenty members attended this meeting, where plenty of interest was in evidence. So a completely new committee was elected, with the main officers being Bernard Hillon (Chairman), Mike Wood (Treasurer), and Harry Jarrett (Secretary). It was obvious that the club should have a new name, so for simplicity it was decided to drop the word ‘Association’ from ‘C.F.R.A.’, leaving ‘Cumberland Fell Runners’. We were on our way.

I.e. in their present form, cumberland fell runners originated in 1986. The runners in the club went one way, the race organisers the other. So a club from cumberland still existed before 1986, but with the addition of 'association' at the end of their name.

[david]

I.e. in their present form, cumberland fell runners originated in 1986. The runners in the club went one way, the race organisers the other. So a club from cumberland still existed before 1986, but with the addition of 'association' at the end of their name.

Well I'm going to confuse matters even more now by introducing 1978 as another significant date. The Cumberland Fell Runners Association was formed in 1968 and used to publish its own race calendar and this is a quote from the 1982 edition:

The Cumberland Fell Runners Association was formed in 1968 to promote the Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell Race in particular and to encourage the growth of the sport of fell running generally.

Since then, the Association has extended its activities to the promotion of several fell races and to the support of its own fell running club, which was formed in 1978.

Any advance on 1968, 1978 and 1986 ?

[A.G]

So put simply:

1968: cumberland fell running association formed, in order to look after races.

1978: the club adds a running section too.

1986: the running section breaks off, at the same time dropping the 'association 'from its name.

[Graham Breeze]

So put simply:

1968: cumberland fell running association formed, in order to look after races.

1978: the club adds a running section too.

1986: the running section breaks off, at the same time dropping the 'association 'from its name.

The CFRA was formed in December 1969. (Bill Smith page 46). The date is interesting because it actually precedes the formation of the FRA on 4th April 1970.

And as hommage to David, I note from the first FRA Calendar (1970) that it describes the route of the CFRA Ennerdale as "Fairly obvious course-some navigation necesary,definitely in bad weather".