Fell/Trail Running
Fell-running is an extreme form of off-road running that involves steep climbs and descents, and often crosses exposed open moorland, with a good few bogs and rivers thrown in for good measure. Many fell races (particularly in winter or poor weather) require runners to carry full, warm, wind/waterproof body cover during the race, and you may need to carry/use a map and compass. You will need to buy a good waist-bag or running rucksack to carry all of this in and your kit may be checked at registration before you are permitted to enter the race.
Trail running is very similar, but generally keep to lower level routes. Fell running is restricted to upland areas, the nearest to York being the North Yorks Moors and Yorkshire Dales, whereas trail running can take pace more or less anywhere. Because trail running does not take you into such dangerous terrain, there tend not to be kit requirements.
York Acorn Running Club competes in the Cleveland Summer and Winter Fell Series. The races in the Winter series are held on Sunday mornings while the Summer races are usually held on midweek evenings(Wednesdays for 2012). The overall positions in the Summer series (best 6 races) count towards the Club League.
The Calderdale Way Relay in May is a high priority, while during the summer there is the less formal Cleveland Way Relay, 16 legs over a distance of 108 miles. Club members take part in a number of other races including the English Championships. Unfortunately we have not entered a team for the Calderdale Way this year, but are planning to run the Cleveland Way Relay.
Members may be interested in joining the Fell Runners Association (FRA). Membership costs just £12 a year and for this you get an annual Fixture Booklet and 3 very good magazines. The FRA also has a very useful website FRA Website You do not have to be an FRA member to enter fell races.
Most fell races can be entered on the day, though championships are normally entered in advance and can fill up quickly. Those requiring pre-entry sometimes have their own entry form or you may be able to use the standard FRA entry form. For more information see the FRA Fixture List or check the FRA website.
Championship and Targeting Policy 2012
In 2011 we didn't target English Championship races, except for the relay championship which was held in Kettlewell in October. We were lucky to have wonderful weather and fantastic routes and finished 51st team out of nearly 200. This year we are planning to run the English Championship races. We will also of course target the Cleveland Summer series and the Cleveland Way relay. Several trail races are in the Club League, so we will be targeting those,namely the Castle Howard 10k, James Herriot race and the Escrick 10k. I'm open to suggestions about other fell/trail races we might target. Please get back to me if you have any thoughts or suggestions about this policy.Andy Normandale Fell Captain
Fell/Trail fixtures 2012
See the drop down menus for the Cleveland Summer and Winter series fixtures and for championship races.Other Fell/Trail fixtures 2012
Sunday 1st April Baildon Boundary Way Trail race 13m
Sunday 10th June Castle Howard 10k Trail Race A local race and a club target race, though it's actually about 10.5k. There's also a 6k race and a childrens 1k fun run.
Sunday 24th June: Cleveland Way Relay
A much lower key relay than the Calderdale, with about 10 teams taking part. A team of 16 runners are needed running individually
and the legs vary in length from about 4 miles to about 12. The full race distance is 108 miles. We have won this race in the
past and in 2011 were 2nd. It would be good to get a B team out in 2012.
Sunday 29th July James Herriot Run Trail Race (8.5m/1000ft)
A club target race. Enter early to make sure you get a place. We often make a day of this, hiring a minibus and staying on after
the race to have a meal at the pub at nearby Carperby.
Sunday 19th August Escrick 10k Trail Race
A club target race and it's on the doorstep.
Dave and Eileen Woodhead organise several fell races in the Haworth area. These include the Bunny Runs, a series of 4 races over a 3 mile course, the last being a relay. This year the first race is Tuesday April 4th, then every week.
The Woodheads also organise The Stoop in December, Auld Lang Syne in January and the Stanbury Splash, also January.
http://www.woodentops.org.uk