Fell

Introduction
Fell running is running off road over hilly and often rugged country, where the climbing is a significant part of the challenge, but the underfoot conditions can also be challenging. The classic area for fell running is the Lake District, but races take place in most upland areas, including the Dales, the Peak District and the Shropshire Hills. Fell running in England is co-ordinated by the Fell Runners Association (FRA) which is affiliated to UK Athletics. Fell races can involve a great variety of terrain including, but not limited to, firm grass, tussocks, heather, bracken, rocks both large and small, scree, bogs and mud. The route may be on clearly marked tracks, narrow trods or over open and featureless fell side, and will sometimes include short sections of road. Fell races are categorised according to distance and climb: they can be as short as 1.2 miles (1.9 km) with 630 feet (190 m) of climb – the Lantern Pike race or as long as 31.7 miles (51 km) with 4400 feet (1340 m) of climb – the Howarth Hobble. It is probably fair to say that the most popular races are in the range from 4 to 10 miles.
Fell running has been popular with Springfield Striders for many years, although the number of members participating in races will always be limited because of the need for travelling, with only the races in Shropshire being genuinely practicable within a day’s round trip. The cost of actually entering a race, on the other hand, is often as low as £5.

Recent Activity

Activity on the fells in October, November and early December 2019 has been confined to the South Pennines and Shropshire. Richard Rule continued in his mission to notch up a record number of fell races in one year (14 so far) by running the Race You To The Summit (BS 4.4 miles, 860 feet), near Todmorden, and the altogether more challenging Tour of Pendle (AL 16.9 miles, 4830 feet). Unfortunately Janet Hill is way ahead with at least 16 fell races and numerous long orienteering and mountain marathon style events under her belt. Tim Brockington ran the Wrekin Wrecker (AM 8.1 miles, 2400 feet) and then a week later, together with Alistair Gillan, Richard Rule, Isobel Gowers, Sara Demetriou and Janet Hill, took part in the Cardington Cracker – an AM race described on the Telford Athletic Club website as “Nine miles and 2600 feet of hell”. Underfoot conditions this year were quite challenging but the weather was excellent, and everyone enjoyed the event, which is surely an important if not the most important aspect.

Previous Activity At the beginning of December 2018 six Striders ran the Cardington Cracker (AM; 9 miles/2600 ft) near Church Stretton, in Shropshire. This race is a bit of a classic, but is unusual in that the route is fully marked. Each of the first two steep ascents is followed by a long and fast descent, but after crossing a stream there follows a section that is frankly a bit of a slog. Conditions were good in that it was mild, and underfoot was fairly firm (apart from the ankle deep mud encountered shortly after the start), although it was extremely windy. That proved to be a boon on the final undulating ridge where we had the wind behind us. Stuart Raven finished an excellent 34th out of a field of 271 in 1.32.35 with Paul Jeggo not far behind in 1.33.03 for 38th/ 1stV55). That places Stuart third on the all-time list of Striders at this race, going back to 2005. Tim Brockington, Alistair Gillan, Stuart Darney and Sara Demetriou finished somewhat further back, with Stuart and Sara making their debuts on the fells.
Post-race refreshments were enjoyed at the village hall where Paul picked up his age category prize, and then at the Royal Oak
Most of this group, as well as Chris Purse and Janet Hill, will be running the Long Mynd Valleys race in February, another category AM race, with 4500 feet of climb (and descent of course) in its 11.5 miles.

Fell Running review June 2019 Long, Short and Inter-Counties
The longest of the three long races which Striders have participated in since the last report was the BL Haworth Hobble (Janet Hill and Tim Brockington), at 31.7 miles; the shortest was the AL South Mynd Tour (Janet Hill, Paul Jeggo), 14.3 miles. In between, Stuart Raven ran the 65^thThree Peaks race, AL, 23.2 miles with 5275 feet of ascent. Two short races featured Striders: the Stretton Hills (Paul and Janet) and Rodney’s Pillar (Janet). Both of these races are in the Shropshire/Welsh Border area. Stuart and Paul represented Essex at the British Inter Counties Hill and Fell Championship Race, held at Flower Scar, AM, 8.3 miles, 2165 feet. Both men ran well, with Paul finishing just a minute ahead of Stuart. The results from all these races are in the Fell Championship tables. Lingwood Time Trial
The first Lingwood Time Trial of the year was held on 25^thMay. Six men (one guest) and three women ran, with Isobel Gowers making her debut at this event and Elaine Tribley recording a PB. Looking Ahead
Four Striders have signed up to do the Tour of Bradwell (BL 15.5 miles, 3182 feet), from Bradwell in the Peak District on 14^thSeptember. Lingwood Time Trial dates (all 9.00 am at Little Baddow Sports Ground/Cricket Club)
24^thAugust (provisional)

2^ndNovember (provisional)

28^thDecemberFell Running review February 2019
Shropshire weekend
Six members ran the Long Mynd Valleys race (AM; 11.5 miles/4500 ft) on February 10^th. Paul Jeggo finished an excellent 42^ndout of 171 finishers, 1^stMV55 in 2.07.42. Stuart Raven found this classic race a bit tougher than his last outing, the Cardington Cracker, finishing in 2.25.21. Other Striders’ times were Chris Purse 3.00.57, Sara Demetriou 3.11.37, Tim Brockington 3.13.47 and Janet Hill 3.17.59. Stuart, Tim and Janet had run the Titterstone Clee Hill race (AS; 2.5 miles/750 feet) the day before, in savagely windy conditions, finishing in 26.02 (19^th), 31.32 (30^th) and 35.09 (37^th) respectively, in a field of 43. Only 15 runners completed both races.
This was a convivial weekend away (most of us stayed at Mynd House, a B&B in Little Stretton near to the Ragleth Inn) which was enjoyed by all participants. Lingwood Time Trial
The final Lingwood time trial of the year was held on December 29th, with Paul Broome turning the tables on Paul Jeggo, finishing in a PB of 12.19 and moving up to third on the all time list (at least since 2015, before which the results are lost). Six men and two women ran, with Clare Broome and Alistair Gillan also recording PB’s. Fell race categories (under FRA rules)
L (Long) 20 km (12 miles) or over
M (Medium) Over 10 km (6 miles) but under 20 km
S (Short)10 km or shorter

Fell Running review December 2019 

Activity on the fells in October, November and early December has been confined to the South Pennines and Shropshire. Richard Rule continued in his mission to notch up a record number of fell races in one year (14 so far) by running the Race You To The Summit (BS 4.4 miles, 860 feet), near Todmorden, and the altogether more challenging Tour of Pendle (AL 16.9 miles, 4830 feet). Unfortunately Janet Hill is way ahead with at least 16 fell races and numerous long orienteering and mountain marathon style events under her belt. Tim Brockington ran the Wrekin Wrecker (AM 8.1 miles, 2400 feet) and then a week later, together with Alistair Gillan, Richard Rule, Isobel Gowers, Sara Demetriou and Janet Hill, took part in the Cardington Cracker – an AM race described on the Telford Athletic Club website as “Nine miles and 2600 feet of hell”. Underfoot conditions this year were quite challenging but the weather was excellent, and everyone enjoyed the event, which is surely an important if not the most important aspect.

Fell Running review February 2020

Isobel Gowers, Fiona Storey, Richard Rule and Tim Brockington ran the Litton Christmas Cracker, a BM race in the Derbyshire Dales on 8^th December 2019.

A contingent of Striders fell runners didn’t run the AM Long Mynd Valleys race because it was cancelled at short notice due to adverse weather conditions.

The last Lingwood Time Trial of 2019 took place as is traditional on the last Saturday of the year. Four women and five men took part including a guest runner from Buxton AC. Paul Broome stormed to victory in 13.15 in muddy conditions which were not expected to produce fast times, especially as there was a fallen tree to negotiate.

Looking Ahead

There will be at least four Lingwood Time Trials in 2020, probably in April or May, August, October or November, and December.

There are a number of possible weekends away, including the Three Days in May (three races, Hayfield, Peak District), the Brecon Fans (two races, Brecon Beacons, Wales), and the Isle of Wight Fell Running Series incorporating the SEAA Fell Running Championships (three races, Ventnor, Isle of Wight).