So what’s the connection?

Well lots of you will have worked it out these are the majority of this years Dartmoor Fell series Race organisers. On race day they will be incredibly busy people so I thought I would go and get some of their views on the series and fell running. A couple more still to make a contribution but i am sure will offer some great insights.

This years newest race

So first up a big welcome to Jan Moore ( top right) for our newest race added to the series – ‘ I am Race Director for the Buckland Bounder which started in 2016, with help from a great team of people. The idea was to bring in more people to the summer fair. It has inspired many people from the village to enter it and it’s a great atmosphere at the finish when runners join in the festivities. ‘

What Jan failed to add is that she also contributes to marshalling at many events, this year the Buckland Bounder is June 10th, please support and of course, senior finishers get a of beer! See race calendar for details.

https://www.bucklandbounder.co.uk/

Hottest race of the year

So next in clockwise direction is Chris Prall from Erme Valley Harriers who added a new race last year. What does Chris like about Fell Running?

‘ I love the low-key, non-commercial aspect to the sport, its only about one thing – trying your best on a challenging route, and usually (if you can find time to look) there are some awesome views. Its competitive but there is also great camaraderie.’

What do I get out of being a Race Organiser?

‘My first race as Race Organiser was last year in the new race Ivybridge 3 Tops, put on by Erme Valley Harriers. It was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Chatting to the runners after the finish, where everyone pretty much collapsed on the grass at the Ivybridge Rugby Club I could tell it was as tough to race as I’d hoped when I’d finally fixed the route. But everyone seemed to have loved the challenge in the spirit of Fell Running. It was also satisfying to put on junior routes as well to encourage the youngsters into a great sport – I wish I’d started Fell Running as a junior! Thanks’

A big thank you back to Chris and EVH and I am sure people are looking forward to the great evening race again. on August 9th, yep and juniors check out events or EVH site.

Yes all the way up there!

This was the only picture I had of Rees Jenkins who kindly took over the organisation of the Great Links Tor Flyer , this year, surely one of the most scenic and spectacular evening courses. Some previous quotes from Rees – he enjoys the camaraderie and simple , straight forward arrangements and of course maybe a ‘wet’ after.

A big thank you to Rees and his team of helpers I am sure he has this year well organised look forward to it on Aug 23rd. yes juniors too.

Changing how we get Results

Check out tim’s tips below on recording and timing, Tim Mockford has been at the centre of SWfellrunners since it started. I asked Tim to tell us a bit more about the race timing that he does and supports so amazingly. He has done so in following article – it’s got great detail but what he doesn’t say is how calm . dedicated and well prepped he is to help make race organisation on the day so much more efficient! Thank you

Tim on Timing!

Fell race timing is much the same as timing any other race, except that the locations and weather have a tendency to be more challenging. The main factor when deciding how to time a fell race is finish line density, and whether intimidate check points are required. For straight forward, finish line only timing the options are usually some form of chip timing, or manual timing or a hybrid.

Chip timing for fell racing tends to take one of two forms, UHF RFID or sportident, however it will be interesting to see how bluetooth timing develops and whether this takes off in fell running. It has an advantage over UHF RFID and sportident in allowing contactless intermediate checkpoints with very little in bulky kit and each marshal can be a checkpoint just by having a mobile phone on them.

Manual timing is an art form, and I am in awe of those who either individually or in teams manage to do the impossible and record numbers and times without becoming flustered. The downside being that either the time required to process results or the increased team size needed for rapid results processing.

Hybrid is my preferred way of timing start/finish only fell races as it keeps costs low, gives many of the benefits of chip timing but with considerably less expense and kit to lug around. This method consists of an app (Webscorer being one of the most common, but others are out there) on which the timer “ticks off” runners as they pass the finish. Runners and organisers have instant results, and (in theory at least) any errors can be swiftly remedied.

Lastly, two essential additions for fell race timing have been an extra person to chase that runner who crossed the line with their number lost on the hill / in their car / under their jacket, and a GoPro setup to record the finish, for when either technology or human failure or error occurs.

A huge thanks to Tim for opening my eyes to ‘tech’ really making it better for organisers, showing me a better way and speeding results for runners. Bravo

A Running career

Last year Dave Chanter very kindly added a new local race ‘Langstone fell race‘ a superb village based course. This year on May 27th at 4Pm and has juniors. So here are Dave’s thoughts .

‘The morning after the race is always a bit of an anti-climax. No more course recces, no more worrying about volunteer helpers, no more medals and trophies and numbers to buy, no more last-minute details to attend to. What happens is you have the crescendo and then its over, you have lost your desire to create the best event that you can. For me as a race organiser there’s probably more joy in seeking than attaining.

Why go through all the ups and downs with all the effort it took to share all your excitement and love of running with others? Is it a quest for kudos or is it a genuine desire to put back into running what it has given to you over the years as an athlete. As I finalise the preparation for the upcoming Langstone Fell Race before looking forward to organising my 20th Peter Tavy Plod later in the year I believe and hope that it is the latter.’

It is really great to be able to have an organiser with such an athletics pedigree , founder of TRP, England Athletics Endurance group coach and a stack of qualifications. Thanks for embracing the series and getting what runners want.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/langstone-coronation-fell-run-tickets-576195394937

The biggest race

We have included the Haytor Heller in the series and although it is now not the longest or the most height gain it is certainly the most popular and challenging. Please meet Bon Rymel who i must say looks way too relaxed as Race Director for Teignbridge Trotters.

A few words from Bon on what it’s like organising a fell race. “Where to start, my love of running just makes organising this event more of a hobby as opposed to a chore. When you go to races and keep seeing the same faces and the sense of community, it really does make it all worthwhile. This year has been challenging as all races seem to be down on numbers from previous years, I guess the cost of living is having an affect in all areas” What I love about running “That’s a tough one to answer, I love the feeling I get when I run, I love the feeling I get after a shower after a run, and what I love the most is that I can eat what I want and not have to worry about counting calories, haha”

Thanks Bon for a huge team effort putting the largest field of the series, sounds like also eating the most calories and i am sure there will be huge interest in this years event on July 15th.

https://www.teignbridgetrotters.co.uk/our-races/haytor-heller

Mr Running…

Well with Tim and myself, Colin Kirk Potter has been central to establishing the Dartmoor Fell series and SW Fellrunning. Colin is Race organiser for Summer Solstice on June 21st and the Postbridge Pootle on July 27th – when not organisers all the adventures for Run Venture . A few wise words from Colin.

‘Running is a broad church and fell running is just another aspect of running. It’s less about fast metronomic cadence and more about route choice, the ability to climb and more importantly; descend over rough ground. It’s less of a race against each other and more a race against nature which means it’s more inclusive as winning is less important. It’s not for everyone but suits a different crowd.

Putting on events on Dartmoor means I get to share my passion for running in the National park. The lack of medals, road closure costs and general nonsense that often engulfs major events means there is less pressure on organisers to charge high entry fees, and means the focus is more in just running in open spaces for fun!’.

A big thank you to Colin and all the support he gives and musters. Hope people have seen his up and coming talk on the Bob Graham Round if not check out Run Venture site and also check out his new book!

https://www.entrycentral.com/summersolstice23

https://www.entrycentral.com/Bobgrahamworkshop

But that’s not all

So we also have Ian Ripper from Okehampton Running Club organising the Cosdon beacon race on July 9th ( careful limited entries 50 – so be quick) note they also have 3 other races not in the series- they are great too!.

https://www.entrycentral.com/CosdonHillRace

We are also still trying to organise an away race on – in Kernow as part of series. ( because its a great course, and we have a great travelling Cornish contingent) . so keep your eyes peeled for our Sept 16th event.

I would also like to put a shout out to Ceri Rees who has helped with Yar tor race and competing and building the ‘wild running community’. We do like to switch races around in the series to keep it fresh.

Its the runners and the hills

So lastly me Richard Best , top left. Most will know when I have had a hand in a new course like the recent Meldon Skyline, always trying to give a great view, challenging route that involves navigation choice but most of all creating a relaxed enjoyable supportive feel to to the atmosphere of the day. I get a real buzz seeing the growing community, especially the strength of juniors ( hats off to a few clubs especially ORC) and seeing people learn about safe enjoyable running in the hills and meeting their own challenges.

My next 2 events are Burrator Horseshoe June 24th ( has juniors), this is the 25th year for this event and of course the series finale based at Belstone – East Mill tor Loop on Sept 30th ( has Juniors).

oh – Just a shout out still looking for Marshals ( they are like gold dust to us organisers for Burrator please get in touch)

https://www.entrycentral.com/burratorhorseshoe23

I hope you have got a better idea of who are behind the races. A big thank you to the time they give to help build our community of competitive/ friendly hill running. If you can please support by running or helping for a few hours.

See you on the hills

Richard Best