Principles of Fell Running

Latest results




Races coming up...



Boar's Head Race - cancelled

Wed 16th Jun, 2021


Unfortunately, because of the situation re. continuation of coronavirus restrictions, the Boar's Head Race (14th.July) has had to be cancelled.
This is because Lyme Park is, completely understandably, now unable to provide me with the necessary Licence.
As there is no guarantee that this situation won't recur on 19th.July another postponement is unfeasible, so for the first time in 36 years the race has had to be cancelled on two consecutive years.
Next year's race will be on Wednesday 1st.June 2022.


50 @ 50

Thu 3rd Jun, 2021


Here are the updated scores for the FRA [email protected] race series following Blackstone Edge and Fairfield Horseshoe.
Some folk who scored in 2020 have not as yet renewed their membership and so are ineligible but will be reinstated if and when they renew.  As fell racing gets underway again, these races are filling up very quickly.  Please note that the 4th counter in the Senior English Championships will now be a short race at Black Combe following the cancellation of Arnison Crag.
Should you have any queries please email Charmian on [email protected]
Have fun :-)


Arnison Crag

Thu 27th May, 2021


Following the cancellation of the 5th Senior English Championship race at Arnison Crag, we are delighted to announce that there will be a one-off Short Black Combe race on Saturday 28th August. Full details will be revealed shortly but there will be special prizes for those who make it a Black Combe Double with the Dark Side of the Combe race on Monday 30th August (which is also one of the FRA [email protected] race series).



Blencathra entries

Tue 25th May, 2021


Online entries are now open for the second Senior English Championship race Blencathra. The first entry window is for those who have been granted guaranteed entry. This window will remain open until 09:00 on Monday 31st May.
Entries for FRA members only will open at 10:00 on Monday 31st May and close at 09.00 on Monday 7th June or when 70% of the places have been filled.
Entries for all remaining places will open for all at 10:00 on Monday 7th June and a Waiting List will be used if the event becomes full (350 limit).


Arnison Crag Horseshoe Race

Mon 24th May, 2021


This race has unfortunately had to be cancelled as it is based around Patterdale Dog Day which is no longer taking place this year.  As this was a component of the English Fell Running Championships, we are now looking at alternatives.  We do expect to have an alternative race but it may not be on August 28th. However it will be in August.
More details to follow as soon as definite arrangements are in place.
Lesley Malarkey
Championship Coordinator.


British Championships

Sun 16th May, 2021


The scheduled British Championship races for 2021 have unfortunately been stood down. This is due to the variances in the easing of restrictions between the four home nations.  
This year, as a one off, the Mountain Advisory Running Group has agreed to a one race championship. An AM course to be hosted in England. This will not be a joint counter with the English Championship.
 
SAVE THE DATE 4th SEPTEMBER, .... DETAILS TO FOLLOW
 
Jude Jepson


FRA 50 @ 50 Race Series to celebrate the 50th Anniversary 1970 – 2020

Wed 28th Apr, 2021


Sadly the Rydal Round will not be going ahead this year due to the cancellation of Ambleside Sports but will be replaced in the [email protected] series by the Old Crown Round organised by Northern Fells. Online entries are open on SiEntries here
 
It has also been noted that Steel Fell is likely to be on Wednesday 11th August rather than the Thursday.
Please remember to check on race websites for information as details  may change as the year progresses.
The next [email protected] race will be Blackstone Edge on Wednesdy 19th May and I hope to see many of you there.

List of races and results



Frequently Asked Questions:

Thu 1st Apr, 2021


With the prospect of a cautious return to fell racing nearly upon us , the FRA have been working hard to compile these answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
https://fellrunner.org.uk/FAQ-home.php
Please navigate using the menu on the left hand side but don't expect to find any specific shoe advice 🙂
You will however see, "Is a buff a hat?"


The Wasdale Fell Race

Thu 1st Apr, 2021


The Wasdale fell race will now go ahead on Saturday 10th July 2021, with Richard Byers acting as RO working with support from Richard Eastman, further details will be posted on the Cumberland Fell Runners Association website and registration will be by SPORTident.


Consultation on Governance of UK Athletics

Mon 15th Mar, 2021


The structure of governance of UK Athletics (UKA) is currently under review. The FRA, along with all other affiliated clubs, has been invited by England Athletics to express a view on the proposed changes.
 
In brief, formal membership of UKA (in terms of e.g. voting rights) is likely to be shared in one of the following ways: by the four Home Nation associations (equally or pro rata); by clubs; by all affiliated athletes; or by some other structure (to be determined).
 
The FRA is trying to establish how the last of these options ("Option C") might look, and whether fell running might be directly represented in this scenario.
 
FRA members are encouraged to make sure their clubs are aware of these proposed changes. Club representatives are invited to join an England Athletics webinar on the evening of Thursday 18th March, for which details can be provided on request.
 
More information is available here
 
 
Charmian Heaton
Chairman Fell Runners Association


The Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell race

Fri 5th Mar, 2021


The Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell race is currently scheduled to take place on the 12th June 2021
 
As an English championship race the entries will online through the sportident registration system
 
Entries open from 10.00 on Monday 8th to 10.00 on 15th March for championship registered runners.
 
Entries open from 10.00 on Monday 15th March to 10.00 on 22nd March for all FRA members.
 
Entries open from 10.00 on Monday 22nd March until June 1st for all runners until 400 limit is reached.
 
The race will run subject to the Covid 19 restrictions in place at the time.
 
The race start is stated as 10.30 which is 30 mins earlier than previous years to allow for the use of staggered starts should we need to set people off in groups.
 
Runners are asked to provide an estimated completion time so that we can place people into groups by time.
 
We will provide update nearer to the time through the FRA website and with runners who have registered.
 
Colin Dulson - Race Ennerdale Organiser


English Fell Championships 2021

Thu 25th Feb, 2021


Having studied the road map in detail,  the FRA committee proposes that the English Fell Championships 2021 will be able go ahead this year albeit a little later than originally planned.   There will inevitably be some changes to be traditional format in line with any ongoing restrictions.  However, there is an assumption that we will be free to travel by this time and that the events may well be outside only and without the customary socialising.  Mass starts may or may not be possible.  Details of the organisation of the races will be available nearer the time but you can, at least, get the dates in your diary.
 
The championships will be based on the following 6 races.  
June 12th             Ennerdale Horseshoe  (AL)
July 3rd                Blencathra  ((AM)
July 17th               Alderman's Ascent   (AS)
August 1st            Pete Bland Kentmere Horseshoe  (AM)
August 28th          Arnison Crag Horseshoe  (AS)
September 19th   South Mynd Tour   (AL)
 
All entries will be through SI Entries with the customary staged entry criteria:  initial week for guaranteed entry list runners*, second week for FRA members and final entry for non-FRA members.
 
*  This list remains unchanged from 2020 except for any additional authorised additions.  It is available here.
 
Please contact me if you have any immediate queries, 
Lesley Malarkey


Pete Bland

Wed 2nd Dec, 2020


The FRA and the world of fell running is mourning the death of Pete Bland and is grateful for the immense contribution which he made to our sport throughout his lifetime. Pete served on the FRA Committee and was a hard working Race Organiser for around 40 years as well as devoting 10 years to the role of Team Manager for England Fell and Mountain Running.  He will be missed primarily by his family but also by his many friends in the wider running community.
A great loss and a privilege to have known him.  He will never be forgotten and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to all his family at this difficult time.


Fellrunner magazine index now available

Wed 17th Jun, 2020


The FRA is indebted to Graham Breeze who has completed an astonishing piece of work to create an index of all the Fellrunner magazines from 1971 until December 2019.  This reference has been invaluable to me whilst looking back over the last 50 years and should whet the appetite of any members who fancy dipping into the history of fell running. So if you want to know which edition a particular article appeared in or you have an interest in a particular topic, you can find the index and a comprehensive introduction on the Fellrunner page.
So make a brew and settle down to enjoy some fascinating reading.
Charmian Heaton


FRA Ambassadors

Thu 28th May, 2020


As mentioned in the recent Fellrunner the FRA is looking to recruit a number of ambassadors. The intention is to find an individual willing to represent each club. 
 
The focus of the role would be to act as a point of contact for the FRA and club members. In particular this might include;
  • Passing on key information sent out by the FRA. 
  • Advertising key FRA events within your club (Championship races, navigational courses etc). 
  • Encouraging membership of the FRA amongst Fell runners in your club. 
  • Reiterating safe practise and the key rules of racing. 
  • Answering queries and providing guidance for those new to the sport. 
The intention is that those taking on the role are passionate about the FRA and there is no criteria to be a committee member within a club. The role is intended to be extremely low maintenance with the main requirement being to pass on key communications made a few times a year. 
 
The list of ambassadors will be published on the FRA website and will need to include an email contact. This list will be reviewed once a year and individuals can withdraw from the role at any time. 
 
Those wishing to take on the role should comment below with their club or email Membership Representative James Lowe to express their interest.


Mountain Navigation for Runners - Martin Bagness

Thu 7th May, 2020


The FRA are hugely indebted to Martin Bagness, Harvey Maps and the OS (HMSO) for their kind permission to publish an online copy of Martin's timeless navigational skills booklet, "Mountain Navigation for Runners", for all fell, hill and mountain runners, and coaches.

To read the full story and access the book, please click here



GPS devices for navigation

Sat 10th Nov, 2018


At a meeting in September, the FRA Executive Committee voted to introduce a new race category relating to the use of GPS devices for navigation.
 
This is not a cut and dried subject and throughout our discussions, the principles of fellrunning have been at the forefront of our thoughts. We have consulted extensively with our membership base and Race Organisers to arrive at the following position, which will form part of the FRA Requirements for Runners 2018 (the ‘Runners’ Rules’):
“If a race is classified ‘non-GPS’ (NG) then the use of any electronic device to delineate a route, to display current position on a map, or as a compass, will be prohibited. The use of such a device to display distance travelled, time, speed or altitude will be allowed, as will recording of an actual route for post-race analysis. If such a device is used in an emergency situation then that competitor should retire from the race and declare themselves non-competitive.”
 
For the avoidance of doubt, GPS is not allowed in FRA registered races in England unless the race is categorised as "G"; by the race organiser.
 
The Kit Requirements for FRA Races are further clarified in respect of the fact that maps must be on paper. A conventional compass must be carried in addition to this.
 
Happy running!
The FRA Committee


First on the Scene

Tue 25th Jul, 2017


What to do if you are First on the Scene of an incident on the fells -
essential reading here.


Welfare policy - Transgender and Anti Doping

Tue 28th Feb, 2017


The Committee have agreed that the FRA will be following the UKA policies on Transgender - http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/media/news/2016-news-page/august-2016/03-08-16-transgender-policy/ and Anti Doping - http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/cleanathletics/rules/
 
This replaces the item in the 2017 Handbook on P 24 Apps 3 and 4 and as previously set out in the Welfare policy - http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/documents.php The policy will be updated.


Welfare

Fri 13th Jan, 2017


Following the FRA committee meeting on 4/12/16 and in light of recent publicity surrounding historical sexual abuse at football clubs, the committee clarified that any allegations of a similar nature within the sport of fell running will be taken extremely seriously and investigated appropriately.

We have already liaised with UKA and an update and explanation of his role will be provided by the newly appointed Welfare Officer in the Spring Fellrunner.

Any enquiries should be directed to Ed Gamble ([email protected])