Wasdale

[Speedy]

Why? That's more than a bit presumptuous. If they are relatively fit beating the cut offs shouldn't be the issue. TBH the main concern would be do they have the ability to get themselves around the course in bad weather. If they do then jump in and go for it.

My first ever fell race was an 18 miler.

And my first fell race, fresh from road and track running, was Ennerdale - mistake, felt fine to the turn and then realised it was a looooong way back, almost crawled over the line!

[IainR]

And my first fell race, fresh from road and track running, was Ennerdale - mistake, felt fine to the turn and then realised it was a looooong way back, almost crawled over the line!

Depends on your back ground I guess. If you come from the walking climbing background getting around the longs don't really hold many issues. You are use to long days out, can navigate, so its pretty straight forwards.

I just don't think you can say 'will get timed out' that's all..no need to put people off.

[ZootHornRollo]

I'd go for Borrowdale - it's about the right step up from 3 Shires (4.19 vs 2.39 for me - although I did Three Shires after). It's a great race and it goes over Scafell P and Great Gable - what more could you want?

[Al Fowler]

The thought of doing wasdale scares me! I will have to do it though to call myself a true fell runner.



I spoke to a lady runner after this years langdale, and she said borrowdale was easier than langdale! - i think that was mostly due to how much more runable borrowdale is compared to that horrible trod that skirts under esk hause to ore gap, and the bolder field that is bowfell.

[Cloud Runner]

Never did do very well at Borrowdale.
Only two real long lakeland classics these days, Wasdale & Ennerdale.
Both deserve some respect and any first timer should spend some time training over the race route as unlike Borrowdale you can't always see the runner in front.
Ennerdale is probably the better route and as Baggins suggests Wasdale seems to set off in the wrong direction and then descends back down to the valley before it really gets going.

[Mark G]

Actually it would be interesting to know if there is a minimum finish time you would have to achieve in a successful Borrowdale round to be able to hit the cutoffs in the Wasdale ? Assuming the same level of fitness for both runs and no navigational cockups what times in the Borrowdale did people take who hit the Great Gable cutoff in the Wasdale race with les than 5 mins to spare ?

/QUOTE]

For me Borrowdale last year was 4.54 Wasdale 6.14 - I had about 10 minutes in hand at Gable during Wasdale but had a rough patch from half way round the back of Kirk Fell until Esk Hause, but I would usually hope to finish just under 6 hours based on that time, so I lost 15 minutes or so between Gable and Esk Hause. I wasn't too bothered by that, last time it was that hot I got timed out at Pillar. I'm surprised by the comment that Borrowdale is easier than Langdale - I usually manage Langdale in just over three and have actually managed under three on a couple of occasions, best ever Borrowdale was about 4.20 so I find Borrowdale much harder - especially the quite big climbs in the second half.

[Alf]

For me Borrowdale last year was 4.54 Wasdale 6.14 - I had about 10 minutes in hand at Gable during Wasdale

Thanks Cougar thats interesting I had a pet theory you probably had to be sub 5 hour at Borrowdale to stand any chance of getting to the Great Gable checkpoint in time in the Wasdale race at the same level of fitness. Also as you point out the hot weather of some Wasdale races can play a big part as well some years.

[Mark G]

If its any more help I managed Duddon in 4.40 - so for me Borrowdale is 15 minutes longer. Not complaining about either but it takes me 15 minutes longer to do a long than a superlong (year before Duddon 4.31, Borrowdale 4.54 but that included an enforced stop for repairs)

[Roy Scott]

Why? That's more than a bit presumptuous. If they are relatively fit beating the cut offs shouldn't be the issue. TBH the main concern would be do they have the ability to get themselves around the course in bad weather. If they do then jump in and go for it.

My first ever fell race was an 18 miler.

So a forumite called Novice, asks for advice on almost the most difficult races in the calendar and I am being presumptous when I give advice based on the information provided. You wouldnt recommend a marathon to a Novice road runner, would you. To enjoy and avoid excessive damage you have to build up.

Novice - you go for it mate, I didnt know your background and I am sure that you will be fine if you have done some LCT races. Borrowdale for me last year was the best fell racing experience to date. I would never actively put someone off our fantastic sport.

[ZootHornRollo]

If its any more help I managed Duddon in 4.40 - so for me Borrowdale is 15 minutes longer. Not complaining about either but it takes me 15 minutes longer to do a long than a superlong (year before Duddon 4.31, Borrowdale 4.54 but that included an enforced stop for repairs)

Duddon was 15 mins longer for me. But could've been less fit then.