Cosdon – Dartmoor Fell Series
July 9 @ 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
SWFellrunners say,,,
Another fantastic short route hosted by Okehampton Running Club only 3.1 miles but 300m of ascent. Set in the picture postcard village of Belstone this is normally an afternoon event alongside the village fete. Parking available at cricket club just a short walk to Race HQ at the Tors Inn. Junior races take place before seniors and its normally £1 to enter on the day.
The route is unmarked but marshalled in a couple of spots. A very fast steep downhill start to narrow footbridge and then a sharp steep run up a path through gorse and soon onto the open moor. There is a trod to follow until you reach the edge of marsh basin. Do you skirt around or do you plough on through? ‘Tis is up to you’. Tough long grass, hummocks and heather will impede your desire to run all the way to the top, helped by the occasion sheep trod, keep going up until you reach the summit cairns.
The very fast descent is hair raising-ly lumpy and if you can find a trod down even better. Soon you will be quickly back onto the gorse flanked path – choose between refreshing ford or the narrow footbridge. then a wicked little 150ft rise to the village green normally sorts a few placings.
Great atmosphere at the finish and a chance to grab some village tea and cakes! What’s not to like?
Course Records – (M) Tim Lenton 28min 53 sec (F) Jo Meek 33min 55sec
Latest Info from the Race organiser- Entries are not yet open and we are hoping will be > 100 places – Sunday July 9th – 13:30 junior start 14:30 senior start
The Race
This traditional race has been going for many years and occurs during the Belstone village fair. Take your own line from Belstone Village to the beacon on top of Cosdon Hill (which can be seen from the start) then race back to Belstone to finish on the green. The distance is approx 3.1 miles with a climb of around 300m over rough open terrain.
Car parking courtesy of Belstone Cricket Club, please bring cash to pay, in 2021 the charge was £1 and we expect it to be similar in 2022.
Registration
Register at the Race Headquarters – on the village green by The Tors Inn. Prizes for the first male and female finishers and for the male and female winners of each age category. No mementos – reflected in the low entry fee.
Held under the rules of the Fell Runners Association. FRA race classification is “AS”. There is a compulsory checkpoint at Cosdon Beacon where all runners MUST give their number to the stewards.
In keeping with the traditions and skills required of British fell racing, self-navigation is required by all runners – there are NO course markers. Getting a little lost is part of every fell runner’s journey, so don’t worry! You can watch a video of the route on YouTube (see below) to help; or, better still, go and check out the route before race day – the route will be on the ORC website
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The race is licensed by the Fell Runners Association. Whilst there is no mandatory kit requirement if the weather is looking bad then a whistle, raincoat and hat is advisable. The race is self navigating so you may also want to carry a map and compass if not familiar with the course.
Juniors. Juniors can race too. Minimum age of 8. Juniors over 13 can race in the senior race at 2.30pm as the FRA permits those over 13 to race this distance. All ages under 13 will race at 1:30pm – distances of either 2km (under 11) or 3km (under 13). Entry on the day at £1 for all juniors.
