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EMM news…

The closing date for last entries is now OCT 3rd.. we have only 10 pairs places left…can you be one of the many lucky runners to experience our format of fixed camp 2 days running. ( great campsite with hot showers and real toilets!)

Plus – are you struggling to find a partner for the race but want to do it- Have a very experienced Cornish runner looking for a match for the event. please get in touch if you can help.

Series awards and Talks…

Also Oct 3rd at Peter Tavy village hall – looks like a great place to be if you want to listen to the fab achievement of runners. Plus we have some amazing short talks between all the presentations :-

Chris Maddocks ; 5* Olympian – ‘going from good to breaking records’.

Like Stannus – Junior European races

Colin Kirk Potter – Scilly 60- definitely not his age

Hayley Jeffery – Intercounties experience

So arrive at 5:30pm if you would like a short guided run with local mountain Goat Colin Kirk Potter

Back at 6:15-6:30 for refreshments

Talks and presentations from 6:30- 8:15.

there is a nice local pub if you wish to continue the evening.

Winter series 2026 – Race organisers needed!

We have been asked by many people about our winter series- this year we are going to need some help. The maestro of results , timing and backbone of our series TIM Mockford. will publish some dates that might work for 4 races to end of March 27.

If you feel you would like to help please contact us, we will give guidance, we do encourage people apply through FRA for licences and Dartmoor NPA planning ( we can help with this).

We can supply markers , as long as they are looked after. So watch out for next post..

Summer Series 2027

Yes we will be back and soon after Oct 3rd we will issue dates. There will be a little shake up of the 12 events as we have some events that want to join the series. But the classic race swill be in there. I wonder if we can top 600 competitors this year.

thanks all

see you on the hills

Richard Best Tim Mockford Colin Kirk Potter Sam Deller

Well its time to celebrate the amazing junior and senior results with the race organisers.

The presentation evening will be at Peter Tavy Village hall in evening of Oct 3rd.

Get there for 5:30 if you would like to do a short run – fun course for seniors and juniors.

Refreshments from 6:15-6:30. ( free – but welcome to make a donation to NDSART)

Presentations will be complete by 8:15. There is a nice pub in the village too.

Than we will do a series of short interesting talks and groups of presentations juniors; ladies; mens and team – this year for juniors we will be award 1st and second in each age category. Plus new perpetual trophies for first male and female.

Did you know that we held 12 races this year. That there were around 600 participants in senior races. Thanks to the organisers, landowners, marshals, parents and supporters who give up so much time. This years race organisers Okehampton RC, Ourselves SW Fellrunners, Erme Valley Harriers, Teignbridge trotters, Tavistock run project; Dartmoor Trail and fell running; Ilfracombe Running club.

We are not selling tickets this year- but please let us know if you are coming by email or via facebook event. https://fb.me/e/8OLXYusQX

See you there and thanks for making it a great series again

As soon as results are tidied up – they will be on line

thanks

Richard Best Tim Mockford Colin Kirk Potter and Sam Deller

Did you know SW Fellrunners is completely non-profit, aiming to promote the sport especially juniors and this year has supported – Devon County teams- Raised money for NDSART, Dartmoor NPA and Meavy Oak Fair.

What a turn out for the inaugural Selworthy Beacon fell race. Simple route but about as spicy as you’ll find in the West Country. Runners were protected under the canopy at the start, before getting blistered by the heat out of Hurlstone Combe. First male & female to the summit grabbed their prize from the Marshall before making the return trip. The descent through the Combe battered the legs of the runners, spectators watched on as the runners ran on jelly legs to the finish. A lay down in the river was everyone’s response to the race. Thanks to support from Vaga, the 1st female & male earned top prizes, the rest earned cider. All money raised went to Exmoor Search & Rescue Team. Thank you to Really Wild Coffee for supporting the event. See you all next year.

Click here for results

With the temperature rising runners from around the South-west
converged on the Dartmoor village of Peter Tavy last Saturday for the
Annual Langstone Fell Race, part of the SW Fell Running series.
Starting in the centre of the village the runners climb past Stepens
Grave, to the Langstone, a tall upright stone due east of White Tor,
erected as a monument in prehistoric times and often associated with
stone rows and circles.

A series of races took place with juniors running 2km and 5km routes
while the seniors cover 8.1km on the out and back course which affords
stunning views across to Cornwall.

The overall winner was Adam Whittiker who finished in a time of 33
minutes with Chloe Clark the first lady across the line. Junior winners
Rory Grubb and Evie Gervis Under 10s, Dom Drew-Hill and Esme Prall
Under 12s, Alistair Taylor and Beth Kelly Under 14s, Arthur Norton and
Senara Beever Under 16s and Grace Gokhale Under 18.

Race Organiser Dave Chanter would like to thank all the athletes,
marshals and parents for their support and invite them all along to the
Peter Tavy Plod on August Bank Holiday Monday for a 5-mile trail run.

Results can be found here.

First Race complete – updated series list with links

We hope you enjoy our fifth year of the series. all races now confirmed. Including a visit to Exmoor for an interesting new course. Note this year Junior age groups have been shaken up by FRA – so please check out on main FRA site. There are 9/12 events hosting junior races.

Race list

1. The Okement loop Open and Devon county champs – Sat Mar 21st – Congrats to Sam Deller taking the honours and finishing 5 mins clear of next runner. great weather and some fab performances in all age groups including juniors.
2. Meldon madness – Sat 16th May – Seniors and juniors- R/O ORC. A favourite including Yes tor. Junior races start at 1pm – seniors after. For entries https://www.entrycentral.com/MarilynMeldonMadness
3. Langdon Fell race Sat 23rd May – (TBC) Seniors and juniors . R/O TRP. starts form 4pm with juniors and seniors. entries at https://tavistockrunproject.eventrac.co.uk/e/langstone-fell-race-12897
4. Oak Croak – Sun 7th June – The longest course of the series over 10 miles and 2000 ft of climb – including Yes tor. Seniors only – R/O ORC ( limited entry). Website live soon.
5. Solstice Fell race – Weds 17th June – Seniors 6 miles and Juniors – R/O Colin Kirk Potter – Dartmoor trail and Fell services/ SW Fellrunners. Website live soon.
6. Burrator Horseshoe – Sat 20th June – The 28th year. Seniors 6 miles and Juniors ( the biggest entry of the series fun course including a run through the ford, plus a new intermediate course (Approx 6k for U18’s and runners who do not want to take on full horse shoe) – R/O Richard Best – SWFellrunners. website live from April 4th.
7. Cosdon Fell race – Sun 5th July – 3.5 miles of challenging terrain Seniors and Juniors- R/O ORC -( limited entry) and a super village fair. entries at https://www.entrycentral.com/CosdonHillRacehttps://www.entrycentral.com/CosdonHillRace
8. Selworthy Beacon Fell Race Exmoor new race – date July 19th – R/O Sam Deller so promises to be a goodie. 300m climb in 6.2k details https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/9eef002b-e101-44eb-b2c9-46afeea4edc4
9. Ivybridge 3 tops race – Sat 15th Aug TBC – R/o EVH – Seniors and Juniors -a great course with some tough ascents but fun descents. Website date to be confirmed.
10. Gt links tor Race – Weds 19th Aug – R/O Richard Best evening race – seniors and juniors-a classic route with superb climbs and descents. Website will be live from May.
11. Haytor Heller – Sat 5th Sep ( evening) -Another classic its 40th year – Seniors only ( 6+ miles of fun course) R/O Teignbridge trotters. https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=17327
12. Sourton tors Race – Sun 13th (morning) – Seniors and juniors – with possibly series prizes and some talks to follow. R/O ORC. https://www.entrycentral.com/SourtonTors
13. Lastly the awards and inspiring speakers evening– fast format of presentations interspersed with lively short presentations from some great runners- format last 2hrs- great way to celebrate and learn at the same time- potential venue in Princetown TBC. ( last Friday in sept)– this will be ticketed – speakers/ topics to be announced.

If you have enquires please ask via contacts or reach out to one of the race organisers.

See you on the Hills

Richard, Tim, Colin and Sam

Dates for 2026 races

We hope you enjoy our early posting of race dates- some are still to confirm. We hope to have 11 senior races this year with a potential extra ‘off piste ‘ invite to Exmoor also being worked up.

Note this year Junior age groups have been shaken up by FRA – so please check out on main FRA site.

Race list

1. Okement loop Open and Devon county champs – Sat Mar 21st – Seniors and junior races. R/o Richard Best SW Fellrunners. Super challenging course 14.2k and 750m height gain.! Web site open in January.( or sooner)
2. Meldon madness – Sat 16th May – Seniors and juniors- R/O ORC. A favourite including Yes tor. ( limited entry)
3. Langdon Fellrace Sat 23rd May – (TBC) Seniors and juniors . R/O TRP.
4. Oak Croak – Sun 7th June – Seniors only – R/O ORC ( limited entry)
5. Solstice Fell race – Weds 17th June – Seniors 6 miles and Juniors – R/O Colin Kirk Potter – Dartmoor trail and Fell services/ SW Fellrunners
6. Burrator Horseshoe – Sat 20th June – Seniors 6 miles and Juniors – R/O Richard Best – SW fellrunners.
7. Cosdon Fell race – Sun 5th July – 3.5 miles of challenging terrain Seniors and Juniors- R/O ORC -( limited entry) and a super village fair.
8. Selworthy Beacon Fell Race Exmoor new race – date July 19th – R/O Sam Deller so promises to be a goodie. 300m climb in 6.2k details https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/9eef002b-e101-44eb-b2c9-46afeea4edc4
9. Ivybridge 3 tops race – Sat 15th Aug TBC – R/o EVH – Seniors and Juniors -a great course with some tough ascents but fun descents.
10. Gt links tor Race – Weds 19th Aug – R/O Richard Best evening race – seniors and juniors-a classic route with superb climbs and descents
11. Haytor Heller – Sat 5th Sep ( evening) -another classic – Seniors only ( 6+ miles of fun course) R/O Teignbridge trotters.
12. Sourton tors Race – Sun 13th (morning) – Seniors and juniors – with possibly series prizes and some talks to follow. R/O ORC

What counts to series totals?

For juniors we will count best 6 from 9 potential races.

For seniors we will count best 7 from potential 12 races

All vets age groups will be calculated from first race date of Mar 21st – ( we do not do in year age group changes). Each race is the responsibility of each race organiser and club. So individual queries to them please.

More details will be published in race calendar once updated- keep an eye out for our Winter pairs series for the more adventurous runners.

https://www.entrycentral.com/winterpairs26

See you on the hills

Richard, Tim and Colin.

Back by demand

We had such great feedback from our 2 winter pairs races last year – that we are putting on three this year.

Same format – must run as pairs , full kit , we will enabling tracing via one mobile, expect 16-22k courses with 600m- 850m climb- so a nice challenge. The other fun fact is staggered starts- so once entered you will be given a start time. (idea is the fastest go last) and it worked for a very competitive finishes last year. Limited entries – site should be open by Dec 1st.

Added twist

Well of course the navigation will be interesting but not too difficult. The routes published are indicative but the detailed actual route will be given to you on the start line – not before. This year there may be an optional added bonus checkpoint.

3 venues

Race 1 on Sat Jan 17th from the Princetown. ( hopefully from rear of Plume of feathers) starting times from 08:30 – 09:45 with expected finishes from 11:30.

Route covering some great western tors.

Race 2 on Sunday Feb 22nd race starts from Widecombe in the moor– again hopefully Rugglestone Inn – similar starts – Cover some fab central tors with slightly longer course.

Race 3 on Sat Mar 14th from East Dart hotel ( Postbridge) – with a different interesting route form last year.

Mandatory Kit

So for each runner hat, gloves, spare socks , spare warm top, spare full leg cover plus full waterproofs, whistle, extra rations and drink. Per team Minimum one survival sac ( 2 preferred and not blanket), headtorch, first aid kit, working mobile for tracking, compass and Dartmoor map.

Entries

Entrants must be over 20 (at Dec 31st 2026) due to FRA distance requirements

Website via entry central – is open now.

https://www.entrycentral.com/winterpairs26

Enjoy- see you on the hills

Richard Best , Tim Mockford and Colin Kirk-Potter

Huge congratulations to the 9 junior athletes (and parents) who travelled to Lancaster to represent their county in the UK junior fell running championships in June .

We saw great strength up the steep inclines, tumbles down the technical downhills and huge determination to do their very best against the UKs top fell runners. I was very happy I was only watching and cheering on and I am immensely proud of the performances of our runners .

Over 4k the U15 Devon girls were 8th team with great runs from Olivia Clarke 23rd and Flora Mee Langmead 30th.

Despite nursing foot injuries Marlow Kirby 16th and Charlie Moore 28th had strong runs to take 7th team spot for Devon.

None of these athletes had competed in a UK championship race before and showed great strength against such strong fields.

Devon’s only u17 lady Grace Gokhale finished an impressive 19th over their 5k course – the extra km for this age group included an exceptionally brutal climb up followed by a severe technical decent made extremely slippery from the light rain that fell before the race started.

Eldon Young – well known in our local events but also new to UK fell championship races produced an amazing run to take 6th place . Team mate Tim Falle was an impressive 9th and Aiden Spinney battled hard for 22nd. Despite great team placing they were unlucky to miss out on a team medal, but were very proud with Devon’s 4th team place in this very competitive age group.

The U19s ran in an 8k race which was part of an adult event which took on the same course as the U17s with an additional ridge climb to Clougha Pike . Chloe Clarke representing Cornwall showed she has returned to the fells in style after a forced break . Chloe came home a superb 7th U19 lady. And Devon’s Luke Stannus continued his impressive form this season to finish 6th U19 man.

Congratulations to our runners and thank you for representing your county in this very prestigious UK championship race . We hope our group of junior fell runners can continue to grow in strength and numbers so we can continue to make our mark on events that have been predominantly dominated by Northern counties !