The Ben Nevis Race

[martin]

I have done the race 16 time and was looking to reach 21 but I have decided they have gone too far with £22 entry fee and other requirements. This race has turned into an officious money making business - it is not fell running as it used to be! There is a rule that says if you are slower than 3hs 15min you will not be able to compete in future Ben Nevis fell races. As some know I am a little slower now due to recent events but I am capable of finishing the race but there is the odd chance I may be a little slower than the required time - I have done 1:43 for the race. I do not want to invest lots more money in travelling up to the race each year to try to reach 21 only to told I am too slow now or some other wonderful rule they have invented comes into play. They used to time runners out at the crossing of the Red Burn on the way down!!!!!!. There was one year when they made everyone set off with full waterproofs on (and pin your number on front and back of your expensive cag!) because it was cold on the top but OK at the starting field. On this occasion most runners stopped once they left the starting field and took the waterproofs off because they were too hot - are not most people experienced runners?

[RichK]

As far as I can tell, that "rule" about banning you from the race is a load of old nonsense. Loads finished later than 3:15 both times I ran it and I'm fairly sure that plenty of those over time went on to run it again.

Although I was well under 3 hours, it was a bit tighter for me at Red Burn, but I got the sense no one was actually timed out there, because there were plenty way behind me who went on to make it onto the results.

It's always up to the organiser about timeouts etc, but to ban you for being too late is just plain crazy - anybody could get injured and get back late.

[wharfeego]

I have done the race 16 time and was looking to reach 21 but I have decided they have gone too far with £22 entry fee and other requirements...I do not want to invest lots more money in travelling up to the race each year to try to reach 21 only to told I am too slow now or some other wonderful rule they have invented comes into play...

It seems a shame that you've got so close to the "magic 21" Martin, but I can understand where you're comin' from.

I wonder if the "21" is actually that "magic"? In a few years time there'll be that many runners reaching the landmark that it may lose some "magic"?

Same with the Three Peaks.

Me...4 Ben's and no Three Peaks...so I've no room to talk.

[brett]

I remember that one... 8 pins through a brand new gortex jacket. Brought tears to my eyes.

There was one year when they made everyone set off with full waterproofs on (and pin your number on front and back of your expensive cag!) because it was cold on the top but OK at the starting field. On this occasion most runners stopped once they left the starting field and took the waterproofs off because they were too hot - are not most people experienced runners?

[Tom Smith]

I remember that one... 8 pins through a brand new gortex jacket. Brought tears to my eyes.

I've always worried about this scenario, which is why I always take a £5 Raidlight race number belt to races. Handy for longer races too when you want to remove or add various layers during the race.

[Chocolate_Chops]

Mmmmmm..............for half that price I'd organise a race from my house and even offer FREE bacon butties courtesy of Mrs Mapper afterwards.

Don't think it will catch on, it's way too far to the Ben Nevis trig from your house........but I like the idea of free bacon butties .

[NeilH]

Not sure the race is worth ruining an expensive waterproof for... what a ludicrously over-bearing rule. You have a tag on you - surely if you carry that to the top then you've done the race... who needs to see your number across the start line?

I've sent off my entry into this (first time entrant) but the entire taste of the website and the entry form is very off-putting. Can't imagine being able to put up with that level of officiousness for 20 further years... Grisedale sounds a lot more appealing - d'oh!

[Fleeter]

It's only 22 quid you tight gits, it is the Ben,the FA cup final of UK hill running..........

I have paid 50 quid to run races in europe,that said you do get a meal for that aswell

[Sam Harrison]

It's only 22 quid you tight gits, it is the Ben,the FA cup final of UK hill running..........

I have paid 50 quid to run races in europe,that said you do get a meal for that aswell

£22 is a fair bit of money when you're a student and living off £150 a month...

[Fleeter]

£22 is a fair bit of money when you're a student and living off £150 a month...

Currently a part time student myself (soon to be full time in september) and know that 22 quid compared to other fell races is alot,but in the grand scheme of things it's only once a year and it is the best race in Britain!