Fell running will never be a 'junior sport' as such. All good young runners want to run firstly on the track and the country to a certain extent. If you look at the top 'young' fell runners almost to a man/woman they focus on track or country or triathlon first. Once they've 'maxed out' in these areas they may focus on fell running at a later stage but probably after road running. You only have to look at Roadrunner, Oxo, Bisto etc. much as they love the fells they know there is more medal opportunity/recogniton/money on the track and roads.

I don't see why this will ever change or why we want it to? Thus the worry about funding for juniors is misplaced and fell running in my opinion will always be an 'older persons' sport.

Keep it simple, keep it cheap, keep it run by people who love the sport and have the sports best interests at heart.