From Jane McCarthy…
The Fellsman has always held quite a mythical quality to me – run on the same day as The Three Peaks Race it is a lower key, tougher (11,000+ft climbing, over rugged, pathless moorland), longer (61 mile) race, steeped in fell running history (first run in 1962).
And as an end of April race can often be held in wintry, bleak conditions. This year was my third time entering but first time I had made it to the start line. I realised any race that produced a 22-page handbook and required carrying five long-sleeved layers amongst plenty of other kit needed to be taken seriously.
The Harrier entry is generally pretty low but this year five of us arrived in Ingleton for the 8.30am start and how lucky we felt as the sun shone in a sky of pure blue. Ben Sheppard and Jack Gribbin set off ahead and we didn’t see them again, both having cracking races (Ben’s fourth I believe).
Kate, Jann and I were content running together, ticking off Ingleborough and Whernside before the Three Peaks Runners set off. The next section headed to Kingsdale, and peaks I had never heard of – including Gragareth and Great Coum. The recent dry weather meant the customary bogs were thankfully absent, but it felt very warm indeed. The entire course is over tops which make you feel as though you’re in a very remote landscape, it is stunningly beautiful on a day like yesterday.
Unfortunately Jann had to retire at Stonehouse. I think she’d had the best of the day. Kate and I felt the welcome drizzle at Fleet Moss turn into heavy rain and rapidly dropping temperatures by Cray, as night approached we had only Buckden Pike and Gt. Wherneside climbs to do. It felt like a very long last 10 miles over difficult terrain and we were very happy to be running together, making the whole day a very pleasurable experience. Approaching the finish with a complete tally felt great, exhausted but happy!
The organisation involved in making this race happen is immense and first rate. Checkpoints seemingly in the middle of nowhere manned by an army of volunteers who have trekked with their tents and kit ready to greet competitors and stamp their coveted Fellsman tally for up to 20 hours toward the back end of the route. It is definitely one to put on the calendar and support – if you’re feeling tough enough!
1= Damian Hall and Oli Johnson 11:23:16
23 Ben Sheppard 14:36:10
26 Jack Gribbin 15:01:19
40= Jane McCarthy and Kate Archer 15:54:46 (4= lady)