The sport of fell racing has its origins in the north of England and Scotland. It is particularly associated with the Lake District, where farmers, shepherds, miners and mountain guides used to race each other to the summit of a local fell from country fairs and shows. Many of the fell races associated with country fairs still survive today, the most famous being the Grasmere Sports.

Increasing leisure time and people’s desire to improve their personal fitness fuelled a running boom in the late 1960s and 70s. This, along with increased participation in outdoor and adventurous activities, led to the establishment of a number of longer fell races. In 1970, the Fell Runners’ Association was formed to co-ordinate the fell-racing calendar and, in partnership with UK Athletics, the Association has evolved to be the governing body for the sport. Fell races are now organised into three separate categories of ascent and of distance:

• Ascent Categories:
• Category A Fell Race
• at least 250 ft (76.2 m) of ascent per mile (1.6 km);
• should not have more than 20% of the race distance on road;
• should be at least one mile in length.
• Category B Fell Race
• at least 125 ft (38.1 m) of ascent per mile (1.6 km);
• should not have more than 30% of the race distance on road.
• Category C Fell Race
• at least 100 ft (30.5 m) of ascent per mile (1.6 km);
• should not have more than 40% of the race distance on road;
• should contain some genuine fell terrain.
• Distance Categories:
• Category L for Long - over 12 miles (19.3 km);
• Category M for Medium - over 6 miles (9.6 km);
• Category S for Short - less than 6 miles (9.6 km).

Fell races are generally run annually over an established sequence of checkpoints. A marked route may guide runners over parts, or all, of the course. Where the route is unmarked, a runner may choose his/her own route between the ordered checkpoints. Even so, routes between checkpoints in a fell race tend to be well established, but may involve a choice. The runner’s decision, when there is a choice of routes, will generally depend on his/her knowledge of the course, the weather, visibility, surface conditions and his/her ability to ascend or descend at that point in the race.

Fell running is a very accessible sport, requiring little in the way of expensive equipment and facilities. Indeed the ability to change into and out of running gear in a car, or car park, is a definite advantage! As with all running sports a reasonable level of fitness is required to participate. However, because there is an additional small, but very real, risk of death on longer fell races where exhaustion and poor weather in remote areas can lead to exposure, competitors are required to carry a map and compass (and expected to know how to use them!), along with other items that will help to ensure the runner’s survival in case of fatigue or injury during the race.
Recommended Kit:


• Bum bag (or back pack) containing:
• • A drinks bottle (water bladder)
• • Hat/balaclava/buff and gloves*
• • Waterproof (at least windproof) top and over trousers*
• • Compass*
• • Map of the area*
• • GPS (but you should still carry a map and compass in case of systems failure or damage to your GPS)
• • Whistle*
• • Mobile phone (it’s surprising how many remote areas have a signal)
• • Food (fruit, energy bars, gel packs & sweets are the favourites)

NB: *Mandatory items.