best fell runner ever ?

[TimW]

Thats two more for the list

It could be the current crop of top fellrunners aren't interested in doing long distance challenges.

Doh! I've done it myself

You'd have thought Simon Booth could threaten the BGR record and one or two like Jonny Bland could maybe go close, but no they have never seemed interested. I'm not criticising them, infact I respect people for having their priorities and not being greedy trying to do everything (which has often been my problem!) but it's an interesting one nonetheless...

[Ricardo]

So the old, longer course record holder is still Billy Bland in a time for the longer course which was quicker than Ian's over the shorter course.

Far be it from me to be pedantic, but I think Ian Holmes' time was about 30 seconds faster than Billy Bland's, albeit on a shorter course.

[TimW]

Far be it from me to be pedantic, but I think Ian Holmes' time was about 30 seconds faster than Billy Bland's, albeit on a shorter course.

Yes it was. Tom Owens was only a few seconds behind him too.

[TimW]

I know this is away from the thread (I don't care ) but how much longer IS the new Borrowdale route? The fastest I can recall Simon running is 2:49 (correct me if wrong) whereas he ran 2:35 for the old course.

It was rarely ever won in a time slower than 2:45 before the course was lengthened. At least 5 minutes I'd say. Someone must know by how much it affected their Bessyboot split, it's the same course thereafter...

[FellMonster]

It all depends whether or not you think the BGR is a test of manhood or madness.

Maybe today's top fellrunners are more intelligent than Forum posters.

Clearly this would have to include yourself you prat

[Toots]

Yeah I didn't mean that, of course they were all highly competitive people who wanted to win. I just meant I'm sure Holmesy doesn't sit down musing over whether his achievements are better or worse than Kenny's or Billy's. He's probably too modest anyway, is happy to have been the best of his own era and would laugh at us lot talking about it to these lengths!

I'll bet 'Holmesy' does!!.Its not a case of being modest,every athlete,especially the most successful are bound to compare their achievements with that of others,be it that of this era or another.You make it sound odd that we talk about it to these lengths,but surely this is done in every sport,and to a much greater degree to boot!.Continuity in any form of life,and the comparisons they bring, are always worth discussing and although pointless in the practical sense,are still good fun and interesting,hence the length of this thread!.
I have to say it was always comforting when the 'old stagers' won races against the young pretenders,it gives,or should I say, gave a bit of hope for when I got old...which alas I an now!.

[fellgazelle]

You'd have thought Simon Booth could threaten the BGR record and one or two like Jonny Bland could maybe go close, but no they have never seemed interested. I'm not criticising them, infact I respect people for having their priorities and not being greedy trying to do everything (which has often been my problem!) but it's an interesting one nonetheless...

It's interesting that you mention both Simon Booth and Jonny Bland as, along with Lloyd Taggart I think these two are the best of the current crop of top level fellrunners (with the greatest of respect to the likes of Ian Holmes and Rob Jebb). I just feel that these two probably have the ability to "raise the bar" in the same way that Joss Naylor, Billy Bland, Kenny Stuart, et al. did in the 70's and 80's in both genres of long distance challenges such as the BGR and high profile fell races such as Ben Nevis, Lakes Classics, etc.

Someone in an earlier post on this thread mentioned that the greatest fell runner should be the one you have seen put in the most awesome performance (or words to similar effect), for me personally Simon Booth fit's this bill, talk about make it look easy!!

[DazTheSlug]

the only time I ever get to see the leaders is on out/back races - so I would have to vote for Andi Jones (Snowdon) and Si Bailey (Shutlingsloe) who both looked super-human to me

[fellgazelle]

the only time I ever get to see the leaders is on out/back races

Yes the same goes for me too.
I know I'm sad but I have spent a fair bit of time walking around courses and spectating at various races during long spells of injury. This is generally when I've seen the leaders. When I compete they have usually packed up and gone home before I finish

[TimW]

It's interesting that you mention both Simon Booth and Jonny Bland as, along with Lloyd Taggart I think these two are the best of the current crop of top level fellrunners (with the greatest of respect to the likes of Ian Holmes and Rob Jebb). I just feel that these two probably have the ability to "raise the bar" in the same way that Joss Naylor, Billy Bland, Kenny Stuart, et al. did in the 70's and 80's in both genres of long distance challenges such as the BGR and high profile fell races such as Ben Nevis, Lakes Classics, etc.

Someone in an earlier post on this thread mentioned that the greatest fell runner should be the one you have seen put in the most awesome performance (or words to similar effect), for me personally Simon Booth fit's this bill, talk about make it look easy!!

I think Jonny has the potential to make history over the very long and rough stuff (like the BGR) if he wanted to, although not on the 'short'er stuff like Ben Nevis; not that he's not very good (!) but his cousin Gavin was a better all-rounder with perhaps more natural ability even than Billy. There's not much Gavin didn't do, although in terms of time spent at the very top he was a bit of a 'John Wild' having just the one great season (1999) where no one could touch him.

Interesting your non-inclusion of Rob Jebb amongst the current best. Rob is a true all rounder although I would agree there have been / are better runners over the long rough stuff, many a time has he begun as favourite in a long classic yet been comprehensively beaten. Where I think he's underestimated is the very short steep stuff, 5 Grasmeres on the bounce is awesome when you consider Rob Hope and Ian Holmes rarely miss this race. People forget the short races and if ever he could win 10 straight, that to me would be as good as Booth's Borrowdale record.

Booth make it look easy? Yeh I'll second that, I watched him come in to the finish to run 2:35 for the old Borrowdale route (40sec off Billy's record) and he looked like he'd just jogged to the shops and back! But I'm sure he was trying really. It's funny, some people are the opposite, they look in agony even when they ARE running easy!

Lloyd Taggert? I believe this lad could do anything in fell running he put his mind to, but would be the first to admit he would need be more selective in his racing. He claims to enjoy his racing programme too much to be prepared to do that and fair enough, I honestly believe some top runners are less bothered than you may think (Toots...) No one has gone about their running with more ambition than myself but when you get there (not that I've got where these lads have! but my own level like...) believe it or not you are still the same person. No one at work or on the street sees you any differently and it doesn't change you as a person. It's great to 'get there' but worthless if you haven't enjoyed it