Skiddaw Fell Race

Event
Details

Date: 7th July 2024

Category: AM Distance: 15.4Km/9.6 miles  Ascent: 960m/3150ft

Minimum age: 18

Venue: Keswick Football Club, Lower Fitz Park, Keswick

Toilets available. No changing or baggage store facilities.

Start: 12:30pm

Parking: Please use local car parks and consider local residents when parking your vehicle.

Entry Fee: £10 enter on day only

 

Water will be provided but all runners must bring their own bottle/cup.

Records: Kenny Stuart: 01.02.18 (1984) Sarah Rowell: 01.13.29 (1989)

Kit checks at the race start: This race is run under FRA rules.  All runners need to carry full waterproof body cover with taped seams, hat and gloves, map, compass and whistle, emergency food. An extra top (base layer for instance) will be required in bad conditions, so please come prepared. There will be kit checks at start & finish.

Contact: John Beetham – johnbeetham@Hotmail.com

Lesley wins V60 in the Skiddaw Fell Race 2017

Catherine Spurden Winner of Open Ladies Category at the 2017 Skiddaw Fell race

Race
Details

The paths are mainly hard – no bogs to contend with – so consider trail shoes rather than fell shoes if it is dry. The race is notorious for blisters!

Starting in Fitz Park, between the Football Club and the Cricket Pavilion, the race crosses Brundholme Road (obey marshal instructions please!) to access Spooney Green Lane, where you begin the long climb on the main paths to Skiddaw.

The firm path skirts Latrigg, going past Gale Road car park, where you will see a footpath sign for Skiddaw. A little bit of flattish relief, and then bear left to go past the Hawell Monument (a memorial to two Skiddaw shepherds), and the start of the steep zig zag paths to Jenkin Hill. Where possible there will be marshals at gates. Please stick to the paths, by request of the Mirehouse Estate.

At the junction for Skiddaw Little Man, bear right, over the stile, to go ’round the back’ of Little Man, leading to Skiddaw summit plateau.

The terrain becomes rough and rocky and it can be very cold and windy. It can also be very confusing in cloud. There are definitely good reasons for the required kit!

The summit cairn is the only checkpoint, apart from the finish, and once you have rounded it you simply do the whole thing in reverse. In previous years there has been a flagged section on the descent, but now you need to stick to the paths – sorry! If it is very dry you might consider wearing trail shoes rather than thin fell shoes so that your feet have more protection.

Criteria for Race Abandonment or Course Re-Routing
The race will be shortened, or cancelled, where conditions are such that the Race Organiser considers that such action is necessary for the safety of competitors and marshals.
Risk of lightning strike will ALWAYS lead to the abandonment of the race. The Race Organiser’s decision on these matters is final, and not negotiable.
Competitors must be equipped with the following kit, which is mandatory under FRA requirements:
•    Waterproof whole body cover (with taped seams and attached hood)
•    Other body cover e.g. thermal vest
•    Hat and gloves
•    Compass
•    Whistle
•    Map of the route and surrounding area
•    Emergency food and
 whether the kit is carried during the race, is at the discretion of the race organiser and not the individual runner. Random kit checks may take place at the start of the race.

Click here for Skiddaw Race Route Map

Sam Stead winner of the Open Men category for the Skiddaw Fell Race in 2017

Results:

2024 2023 2022 2021 2019  2018     2017    2016   2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 (bad weather route)   2009