THE FELL RUNNER May 1988 PETE BLAND SPORTS CATERING FOR THE FELL, ROAD AND TRACK ENTHUSIAST We are the major stockists for Walsh fellrunning shoes and boots and we also stock Reebok and Ron Hill fellrunning shoes. Introducing our new member of staff, Bob Douglas, who has taken over from Jon Broxap soon to depart for Australia. Bob started fellrunning and Nordic skiing some 15 years ago. At present interested in short and medium fell races, 10k road and cross-country. Bob is a strong believer in running for fun and mixed training. Also involved in semi-pro photography with several photos used as Trophies for the Blencathra Race and Ian Hodgson Memorial Relay, and he hopes to complete a long-term photographic project on Fell Running. Fast, efficient Mail Order Service - ring or write for Price List. See our Van at most major fell races throughout 1988 season. Access or Visa welcome. FETE BLAND SPORTS 34A Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria. Tel: (0539) 31012 Shop hours: 9.00 to 5.30, Monday to Saturday CONTENTS ^SOC IAT\0^ Page Editorial 1 EDITORIAL Letters 2-3 Committee News 3-5 Chairman's Report to FRA AGM 3 This is my first issue as editor of the Fell Runner and Committee Membership 3 given the remit of the FRA AGM to produce three issues FRA Committee - Who, What, When, How 4 of the Fell Runner I hope to expand the range of articles Choosing the Championship Races 4 especially in the area of international ventures and Committee Meetings 5 events on the celtic fringes. I have asked David Weatherhead to act as a co-ordinator and editor of Calendar Update 5 results and we hope to include a full list from all races in A Guide to the Scottish Hill Races (Book Review) 6 the calendar with special emphasis on Championship Fell Race from Honister 6 events. Selwyn Wright will ensure that decisions International News 7-12 minuted from Committee meetings will be reported in Fixtures 7 the Fell Runner and Martin Stone will continue to raise World Cup Update 8 advertising revenue for the Fell Runner. Everest Marathon 1987 8/9 Following the last issue and letters from Dr. Shepherd Runalot Holidays 10 and Ian Leighton there has been some discussion on Fell The 15th Guinness Mount Cameroon Race 11 Running, politics and editorial freedom. The The 2nd Super Marathon du Hoggar 12 Committee has backed me up in my role to exercise Results 13-21 editorial discression. I shall, however, say that I do not feel that political discussion should stop when we put Rumour Has It 21 our walshes on. We live in a time of considerable change Experiences on the Run 22 in accepted political viewpoints and values and these Gatehill 'August 9th, 3.00 p.m.' 22 may affect many of our jobs and our freedom to run over It WAS Alright on the Night 22 the hills. Keeping it Dark 23 Other issues may stem from these changes. Are Nortille Ridge Run 23 politicans encouraging us to take out private medical The Run 24 insurance for, say, replacement legs instead of going on Long Distance News 26-27 our second fell running holiday. The above instance of Pendle Way Relay 26 the underlying principle of course misquotes a noted Witch Way Round 27 speech. In the age of never getting 'something for nothing' Competition 28 is the race organiser's time or entertainment allowance an accountable expense to include in entry fees? I have heard some suggestions concerning high entry fees which I hope are unfounded. So dear readers do not expect totally apolitical fell Front Cover: Dave Rosen climbs Winter Hill. Winter Hill Race - W.S. Bateson. runners writing in and editing the Fell Runner. First Claims FRA Rule No.8 Our distinctive T-shirts are now on sale to FRA members. Since writing this editorial it appears that there is now Navy and Grey, and bearing the FRA logo, they are available considerable discussion on FRA rule 8 and whether this with short or long sleeves and rule which allows a fell runner to run first claim for ^OCIMCS" sizes. Small 32/34, Medium 34/36 different clubs on the fells to that in other branches of and Large 36/38. athletics applies to all the U.K. My personal view is that anyone organising a (felY race as apposed to a ^liiiJ', Pete Bland is selling them for the FRA at most fell races or 'mountainor 'moorland' or 'myrydd' race should be write to him for yours, stating size, style and colour. able to specify that FRA rules apply. Prices: Short-Sleeved. Small, Medium and Large - £4.95. Long-Sleeved. Small, Medium, and Large - £5.95. (When ordering by post please add 45p for p.&p.) Letters and Articles for Next Issue, PETE BLAND SPORTS deadline August 15th 34a Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria. Tel: 0539 31012 John Blair Fish, Five The Screes, 28 Houdenhall Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 6UR. (031-664 8425) Results and Race Reports to: David Weatherhead, 47 Clarendon Road, Eldwick, Advertising Kates: Bingley BD16 3DL (0276 567589) £120 Full Page £60 Half Page £30 Quarter Page Advertising Copy to: £20 Eighth Page Martin Stone, 12 Moorlands, 103 Garstang Road, Preston, Classified £1 for first twenty words then lOp per word thereafter. Lancashire PRl INN. (0772 562395) 1 ^ UJHA-r ^O Yoo IV\e*r4 "tOHEffi'4 p.e.'s'' ? LETTERS THtWfte uoe.TTfc/O /N iavj LOCr tooesz [ ^ JH^COT W More Welsh Mutterings Pseudo Politicians in Walshes Dear Sir, Dear John, Last years travesty that was the I have iust received my copy of Welsh 1000 metres has certainly The Fell Runner' and note that generated a lot of comment both you are now the editor. in print and 'at the bar'. As a Congratulations and thank you relative newcomer to the sport for taking on what would appear (heinious crime No.l) and one of to be a rather onerous task. the 'arrogant' Carneddau traver- Although I do not agree with Lftt sers (heinious crime No.2) I've all he says, I do find it disturbing even been known to take my dog that the Committee tried to stop on some races! AAAGH. I am the publication of Dr. Shepherds concerned that at the end of the letter. What does concern me more day this classic route can be saved. however is seeing phrases in a What should happen is a calm fell running magazine such as 1 appraisal of the factors which led 'Nato War Preparation' (Ian » ^ up to the controversial dual race. Leighton) and 'South African OBSTAa£) Without doubt 2 very important Commercial Interests' (Dr. observations can be made. First Shepherd). We read that sort of fellrunners are by nature highly jargon day in day out in the motivated to compete in their newspapers, what on earth has it chosen sport, and the amount of got to do with fell running? mental and physical preparation I am tired of crusading pseudo for a race like this is considerable. politicians who think they This leads to a very high level of command the moral high ground commitment to complete the bringing Nuclear Power* Nato, challenge that a particular race alcohol, cigarettes, and South may offer. Africa into every conceivable Second, the weather in that part activity. If they want to fulfil their of the world is entirely unpre- role image, let them do it Predictions for 1992 A Statistical Puzzle dictable. More controversially it elsewhere. could be observed that the runners We fell runners are not concerned Dear John, Dear John, on this course follow on from 2 what they think about B.N.F.L. Great letter in Winter '87' Kinder Downfall approaching weeks of jack-booted manouveres and South Africa or Nato, but edition from John Riley about a again reminds me that after the by our boys in green, but as we would be very interested in their standard race entry form! It's race last year, when I went over to are a smaller group, cop for all the views on the Committee, and always nice to see your own ask what my time was at the flak from the damage that occurs. International Fell Running suggestions given support even if results board I was asked what With these points in mind, I Championships. it is 6 years later - see letters to my number was. 197, I replied, feel that three things should Best of luck John, I think you Editor, December '81' edition. and was told 'How amazing - happen if the race is to be saved. are going to need it! John Riley might have an excuse, that's the position you finished 1. Divorce ourselves entirely from perhaps he was not involved then in'. This did not mean that I have the Army/walking competition. Best Wishes - but there's no excuse for the the unabridged version of the 2. Change the route to descend PETER BARLOW editor! Does this mean that in Karma Sutra but that I was 197th Pen-yr-Ole Wen to avoid the by CLAYTON-LE-MOORS 1992 team members in whatever in the race. It led me to the now permanently inflamed variety of nonsense is masquer- following question that may fill farmers in the Ogwen valley. ading as World Cup Races will be an idle moment or two. Assuming Claims that this descent is chosen at random from FRA that runners entering a race dangerous don't really stand up Membership? arrive to register in a random when you consider the descent Dear John, order, how many on average off Cnicht which is taken at a I am delighted that Peter Yours sincerely finish in the same position as the much faster pace.