I don't know where it is yet - I'm a little out of the loop at the moment

I re-started with a Senior County Champs for Lancashire when I took on the Fell Secretary job about 5 years ago.
I picked Pendle as it was perfect timing for the Inter Counties - usually about 6 weeks prior, after end of cross country and also had junior races which meant I could use it for selection.

If you want to have a County Fell Champs (which I think would be a great idea) I would just find an event between mid March and Mid April then it can be used as a trial.
It doesn't have to be within your county - Merseyside have used Rivington in recent years.

The chief benefit is that it lifts the profile of fell in the area. What it also does is give runners a chance to earn the vest.
For seniors I've opted to give 2 guaranteed places. That means I then have 2 more (+1 U23) and you will need some flexibility as often British/English Champs, Easter Hols etc mean that key athletes can't attend.

This year I have a slight problem though. Pendle clashes with the 12 & 6 Stage so I haven't fixed yet while I consider what other options I have. It might seem odd, but we have a club element and I'm pretty sure that Rossendale, Barlick, Clayton, Blackburn, Preston, Lancs & Morecambe, Horwich and maybe more will be at the road relays and trying to get their strongest squads out, which often involved the fell runners.

This is partly why I also try to wait until cross country has finished, as some of the top Lancs Fell runners could be in the Inters XC, same for many other counties.

In general the only slight negative of being at Pendle is that it is quite a high profile, popular race and an Open race, sometimes a National Champs race, so the Lancs element of the event can feel like a bit-part at times. I know from my colleague the road secretary that this can also be the case where we piggy-back existing road races for our County 5 mile and 10 mile road Champs.

If anyone wants to discuss as they are considering doing something in their county, feel free to get in touch. I'm sure Dave Wooodhead would say the same as he looks after the noisy neighbours