Borrowdale Fell Race

[Simo Caps]

Where does Borrowdale rank in the list of hardcore fell races?
Asking for a friend
TIA

[PeteS]

Where does Borrowdale rank in the list of hardcore fell races?
Asking for a friend
TIA

Of the lakes ALs, I'd rank it 4th behind Wasdale, Ennerdale and the Darren Holloway Memorial (Buttermere Horseshoe). TWA is probably in the same ballpark but there's a lot of good running on that and the Borrowdale certainly trumps it on the technical terrain and nav etc.

[Simo Caps]

Of the lakes ALs, I'd rank it 4th behind Wasdale, Ennerdale and the Darren Holloway Memorial (Buttermere Horseshoe). TWA is probably in the same ballpark but there's a lot of good running on that and the Borrowdale certainly trumps it on the technical terrain and nav etc.

Awesome, thanks PeteS, appreciate it.
Actually, while we're on the subject...
from what I've been told, cos I haven't done it myself yet, I would have put Great Lakes somewhere in the top 3...
wouldn't you agree?

[Travs]

Of the lakes ALs, I'd rank it 4th behind Wasdale, Ennerdale and the Darren Holloway Memorial (Buttermere Horseshoe). TWA is probably in the same ballpark but there's a lot of good running on that and the Borrowdale certainly trumps it on the technical terrain and nav etc.

I'd broadly agree with this.

I think you could argue that Old Crown Round is also harder.... certainly some more good running, but also some really tough sections, very remote, and as long as Ennerdale.

Also Peris and Welsh 1000 are considerably tougher.

[PeteS]

Also Peris and Welsh 1000 are considerably tougher.

Yes most probably and why I deliberately stated Lakes ALs. You could argue the case for a few more outside of Cumbria but I've not done any so couldn't really comment.

[PeteS]

Awesome, thanks PeteS, appreciate it.
Actually, while we're on the subject...
from what I've been told, cos I haven't done it myself yet, I would have put Great Lakes somewhere in the top 3...
wouldn't you agree?

I would probably put it 5th or 6th. Climb is about the same as Borrowdale but (straight line) distance shorter. The terrain is tough on both but a lot of Great Lakes is pathless and plenty of opportunity for walkabout on a bad day so that probably takes it up a notch. Duddon Valley is also going to be up there I guess?

[Graham Breeze]

I would probably put it 5th or 6th. Climb is about the same as Borrowdale but (straight line) distance shorter. The terrain is tough on both but a lot of Great Lakes is pathless and plenty of opportunity for walkabout on a bad day so that probably takes it up a notch. Duddon Valley is also going to be up there I guess?

One starter is to look at the record times. I used to say "look at Billy Bland's times" but he (obviously) never did the newer races.

[PeteS]

One starter is to look at the record times. I used to say "look at Billy Bland's times" but he (obviously) never did the newer races.

Well here goes...
Of the ones mentioned so far in order of record time:
Darren Holloway 3:45
Wasdale 3:25
Ennerdale 3:20
Old crown round 3:19
Duddon 2:42
TWA 2:37:38
Great Lakes 2:37:35
Borrowdale 2:34

Obviously Billy, Kenny Stuart etc didn't do them all but most the records on the older races still stand from that golden era so you can argue this isn't a true comparison.

Now add Peris (3:33) and Welsh 1000s (3:51) into the mix and they would both be in the top 3.

And of course time is only one measure by which to gauge which is hardest. I'm sure the more mathematically minded of forumites could come up with some way of levelling this out based on distance, ascent and factors for terrain etc.
Anyway the hardest for me always seems to be the last one these days!

[Graham Breeze]

Well here goes...
Of the ones mentioned so far in order of record time:
Darren Holloway 3:45
Wasdale 3:25
Ennerdale 3:20
Old crown round 3:19
Duddon 2:42
TWA 2:37:38
Great Lakes 2:37:35
Borrowdale 2:34

Obviously Billy, Kenny Stuart etc didn't do them all but most the records on the older races still stand from that golden era so you can argue this isn't a true comparison.

Now add Peris (3:33) and Welsh 1000s (3:51) into the mix and they would both be in the top 3.

And of course time is only one measure by which to gauge which is hardest. I'm sure the more mathematically minded of forumites could come up with some way of levelling this out based on distance, ascent and factors for terrain etc.
Anyway the hardest for me always seems to be the last one these days!

I think terrain is key. One can always follow someone who knows the best route (up and down) but the ability to run fast over jagged rocks is a gift from God.

[PeteS]

I think terrain is key. One can always follow someone who knows the best route (up and down) but the ability to run fast over jagged rocks is a gift from God.

And one I don't possess given the number of scars and broken bones I have accumulated over the years!