The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

mArKw · Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 235 Location: Benfleet

Best fell race of the year so far. I know John Butcher rates it highly and I can see why.

Most of the course is quite runnable, no nasty crags or mudbanks to climb / scramble down. And from talking to others it has bits where some people hate running and others just love running over. Has a bit of everything. Just like the weather, yesterday. Snow, rain, wind, sun, you name we had it. Some fantastic views aswell when there was time not to look down at the ground coming up.

Well orgainised event, good food at the end, and I was well informed that the beers and pubs are worth visiting in Hayfield where it's based.

Another one in the diary for next year. Don't know my time or position yet as they haven't been announced.

Mark

_________________
The hills are alive........

Ernie · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Hockley GORC

Mark... what sought of distance , altitude gain etc are we looking at in this race.

I know the area so it sounds like it would be a tough one.

I wish I could run up those hills like you can.

mArKw · Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 235 Location: Benfleet

I left the distance / height out at the moment as there seems to be some contention about it. The blue book says 10 mile / 2500 ft of ascent. However, a number of guys at the weekend say it was only 9.2 or 9.4 miles and 1800 or 1900 ft ascent, depending who you spoke to. Most of it was fairly gentle ascent / descent (about Vic hill or less), except for one steep climb as the last ascent. Even then that climb was on flagstone steps.

I would say it's not tough at all. Certainly not compared to doing Edale Skyline which is just to the south east of the Kinder Downfall route. I would say that anybody who can do Beachy Head can do this. It's hard but not tough.

There again, when talking to a runner at work today, he asked me if there are showers at these races. I replied sometimes but this time I just jumped into the river to wash myself off. He was a little taken aback. So maybe my view of tough may be a little skewed now. compress

Mark
_________________
The hills are alive........