Edale Skyline Fell Race

[IanFitz]

There's a few questions above that are directed to me. At the risk of stirring up gossip and controversy I want to make it clear that I am no longer the RO for the race.

I've made my reasons for this known to the committees of DPFR and the FRA and won't be going over these in public.

The skyline will continue as normal and I am supporting my club-mates by passing on the knowledge I've gained over the last three races.

[fozzy]

There's a few questions above that are directed to me. At the risk of stirring up gossip and controversy I want to make it clear that I am no longer the RO for the race.

I've made my reasons for this known to the committees of DPFR and the FRA and won't be going over these in public.

The skyline will continue as normal and I am supporting my club-mates by passing on the knowledge I've gained over the last three races.

Sorry to hear this. From my experience of the race last Sept, you've done an excellent job. I am sure that whoever takes it on will benefit greatly from your advice.

[IanDarkpeak]

The Skyline is FULL

any body entering will be put on the waiting list. If you can't make it PLEASE let some one know so others can take part.

[bigfella]

Fundamentally I don't believe fell races (or trail races or road races) are particularly for any type of runner, club runner, non-club runner, fast runner or slow. Edale and the 3P both ask those applying to list their previous AL category race experience and, with Edale, I think they might even do spot checks on that. Equally both apply cut offs too, Edale at Mam Nick and 3P at Ribblehead and Chapel le Dale - those cutoffs really put pressure on runners thinking of biting off more than they can chew.

Either way the only way to get experience in these sort of races is to actually give them a bash

Edit: And another thing, if you then jump from AL fell races to ultra distance stuff, very few runners relatively speaking run as, or at least announce themselves as, club runners - have a look at the Lakeland 100 entry list for example. For sure you don't see that many club vests at ultra races

Quite agree and I am also proudly unattached. This has been said before on another thread, there is a difference between being fit enough to make the cut-off(s) and being experienced enough to get yourself out of trouble if the conditions deteriorate as can happen in a race as superficially benign as Edale.

[drmorris]

Well, I'm in.
Recce'd he first half today, in weather you can only hope will be something like race day - glorious day out with the dog. Gentle pace, enjoying the views.
Bumped into, and ran along with DPFR member Simon Bourne for the section from the plateau to Win Hill - thanks for the chat and the tips, good to meet you.
Ran out of steam on ascent of Lose Hill(note to self; next time have a quiet day the day before and no G&T/ wine with dinner!), made it to the Nick in just over 3 hrs at a gentle recce pace, incuding all the stops to double check bearings, paths, junctions and call back the dog, whose map reading needs some work.
Managed a cheeky refill of water from hosepipe at the farm/ B&B below Win Hill
Feeling good for the day.
Recce second part in a couple of weeks, before of after the Cloud9
Lovely stop at the trig on Win Hill - great day to be out

[drmorris]

Well, I'm in.
Recce'd he first half today, in weather you can only hope will be something like race day - glorious day out with the dog. Gentle pace, enjoying the views.
Bumped into, and ran along with DPFR member Simon Bourne for the section from the plateau to Win Hill - thanks for the chat and the tips, good to meet you.
Ran out of steam on ascent of Lose Hill(note to self; next time have a quiet day the day before and no G&T/ wine with dinner!), made it to the Nick in just over 3 hrs at a gentle recce pace, incuding all the stops to double check bearings, paths, junctions and call back the dog, whose map reading needs some work.
Managed a cheeky refill of water from hosepipe at the farm/ B&B below Win Hill
Feeling good for the day.
Recce second part in a couple of weeks, before of after the Cloud9
Lovely stop at the trig on Win Hill - great day to be out

[Fozzy42]

Well, I'm in.
Recce'd he first half today, in weather you can only hope will be something like race day - glorious day out with the dog. Gentle pace, enjoying the views.

Sounds great, fingers crossed for similar weather on race day. Gonna have to really try to get myself over there for a recce before race day, this been my first Skyline.

[DazTheSlug]

yesterday took day off work and went round whole route
bit "mizzly" early on but turned out a lovely day
very boggy on way over to Brown Knoll, and very muddy on the lower stretches of the way up Lose Hill
got round in 5:07 (but stopped watch a few times while catching a sneaky rest "admiring the view" )
start/finished from Rushup Edge, so split times bit skewed cos fresh/tired on different bits from race
will have to shift a bit on the flatter sections in the first half to make the cut-off, but confident of doing so, and threatening sub-5
looking forward to it

[drmorris]

re: the new route off Win Hill.

I get that the steep descent off Win Hill via Twitchill Farm/B&B was a problem. Fair play.

I see the new CP 3a and 3b on and below Hope Brink, and the move of CP4(details on the DP site) from the 'bottom' of Hope to the 'top' near Townhead, at the fork.

Q: Is it a straight run back re-tracing the route from Win Hill along Hope Brink to CP3a, then direct descend to 3b across field(no path marked on my maps), and down track to Fulwood Stile Farm and then Townhead CP4?
Or a minor diversion off Win Hill onto the lower field path onto Hope Brink CP3a so as to avoid crossing the runners still climbing?(and then direct to 3b,and track to CP4)
Either way, it looks like the same distance(2.5K from the stile off Win Hill) as the old route.

Or, will we have to follow the path off Hope Brink all the way back to the path crossing west of Wooler Knoll, and take the path down to Fulwood Stile? if so seems to add another 1.8K?(or more importantly, potentially another 10-12mins before the cut-off)

Appreciate some clarification whenever anyone with inside knowledge has the time, appreciate must be busy

[IanDarkpeak]

re: the new route off Win Hill.

I get that the steep descent off Win Hill via Twitchill Farm/B&B was a problem. Fair play.

I see the new CP 3a and 3b on and below Hope Brink, and the move of CP4(details on the DP site) from the 'bottom' of Hope to the 'top' near Townhead, at the fork.

Q: Is it a straight run back re-tracing the route from Win Hill along Hope Brink to CP3a, then direct descend to 3b across field(no path marked on my maps), and down track to Fulwood Stile Farm and then Townhead CP4?
Or a minor diversion off Win Hill onto the lower field path onto Hope Brink CP3a so as to avoid crossing the runners still climbing?(and then direct to 3b,and track to CP4)
Either way, it looks like the same distance(2.5K from the stile off Win Hill) as the old route.

Or, will we have to follow the path off Hope Brink all the way back to the path crossing west of Wooler Knoll, and take the path down to Fulwood Stile? if so seems to add another 1.8K?(or more importantly, potentially another 10-12mins before the cut-off)

Appreciate some clarification whenever anyone with inside knowledge has the time, appreciate must be busy

Most runners take the race line round to the north of 3a to CP3 then back down the ridge to 3a. there is a a trod I'm told to 3b which I'm sure will be marked. (don't think I've run it before)I'll suggest to Tom we send every one on the fast line rather than the track if you think it may cause problems.

Then down the track. I believe some of it is on private land and only open on race day. I'll check with RO Tom who I think will be out running with me tonight on Kinder.