St John's Fell Race 2025

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[Image: Jack freeman]

MPORTANT RACE INFORMATION FOR ST JOHN`S FELL RACE RUNNERS

For all those competing in New Year Day`s St John`s Fell Race can you please have a look at the following information? Apologies for it being a bit long winded but our aim is to ensure we get the race going as near as we can to the scheduled 13.30 start time and everyone’s cooperation will help us achieve this. The weather on Wednesday could be quite unpleasant. We may have to alter arrangements slightly according to the prevailing conditions

Registration is at the St John`s Football Club from 12.15 until 13.00. If you can arrive to register in good time it will help our hard working crew to get everyone sorted quickly. Please note that there is a temporary road closure on the section of the Foxdale Road outside the club house from 13.00 until 15.00. The closure will be from the Patrick Road corner to near the DEFA HQ.

The start and finish will in the St John`s and Peel cricket ground which is situated next to the football club. At the request of the clubs please do not warm up on any of the grassed area`s within the cricket or football fields. There is plenty of room on the old railway lines which can be easily accessed from the football ground. No dogs in the grassed areas please.

All registered competitors are asked to congregate on the road by the entrance to the cricket field by 13.20. From here you will have your race number checked on to the start line in numerical order. This is a mandatory part of our race safety regulations for our insurance cover.

Race numbers must be placed on the chest and be clearly visible at the start, the safety check on the return leg entrance in to the plantation and the finish. It is vital that if any runner retires from the race that they report back to the finish official’s. Failure to do so could result in the emergency services being called out to look for you as every race number must be accounted for.

Full safety gear is not required but as the weather forecast is not very promising we would very strongly recommend that you carry a water proof jacket. Although a fair amount of the course is within the well sheltered Slieau Whallian Plantation there is a pretty long ridge run to the summit and back which can be quite hostile when the weather is poor. Most of the course will be flagged and marshalled. Fancy dress is optional. If worn, it should not hinder running. Costumes must allow safe running and overtaking on ground which is often steep and slippery, with some very narrow paths, tree roots and low branches. No fancy dress objects to be carried please. Although we try and keep this event fairly relaxed and especially welcoming to newcomers it must be remembered that it is very much a registered fell race that is run under UK Fell Runners Association rules. It is definitely not a fun run.

There is plenty of parking spaces in St John`s. There will be limited space at the football club and the car park on Station Road. We recommend that everyone uses the big park behind the Tynwald Inn which can be accessed from either Peel Road or Station Road which is a short 5 minute walk to the clubhouse.

Refreshments will be available at the football club post race. There will be no charge for the refreshments but there will be a bucket for donations which will go to the local Salvation Army along with all the entry fees.

[Richie Stevenson]

ENTRIES: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=14347

WHL 3 - Colden

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********COLDEN*******

The Colden WHL round 3 race will NOT take place this Saturday (14th). There was some confusion over it going ahead, hence the announcement in this weeks Courier.
Due to the plantations around the Island having suffered great damage we need to impress on everyone DEFA’s advice to stay away from many areas whilst clearing operations and making safe take place. That includes MFR events.

Whilst a final decision as to the possibility of running a third WHL event has not yet been made, we can confirm that the Colden race has been cancelled.

[Steve Taggart, RO]

Entries open for New Years day - St Johns Fell Race

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Entries are now open for the St Johns Fell Race on New Years Day. Once again the race is kindly sponsored by David Cretney. Proceeds from the race will go to a local charity to be announced soon.

Enter online at https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=14347

This is the first counter in the Callin Wild sponsored Manx Fell Running League for 2025. It is also a counter for the Junior and short course leagues.

Fancy dress is optional, but should be safe and speedy!

COLDEN - UPDATE ON THE UPDATE

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With the likelihood of the wind only reducing to near gale by Sunday morning, and the likely risk of debris remaining on the roads causing problems for those trying to make it to Ard Whallan I have decided to postpone running the race on Sunday also. This is taking into consideration the wellbeing and safety of not just our runners but the large team of marshals, timekeepers and helpers who have kindly offered their support.
Whether we completely cancel WHL3 or come up with an alternative date we will advise shortly, following further discussion.
Just wanted to say big thank you to everyone who has tried to amend their plans to be able to run or help.

Finally, don’t worry about the pasty kindly provided by our sponsor Aston International, we have the order on hold.

(Steve Taggart, Race Organiser)

Aston International Winter Hill League 3 - Colden

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This coming Saturday sees the final round of the winter hill series around Colden plantation followed a short while later by the prize presentation and presentation of hoodies and awards for those who have completed the MFR Junior League and U23 category senior league winners.

If you have entered either or both of the first two WHL events you will automatically be entered for this event , otherwise please enter using the link:

https://manxfellrunners.org/whl-1-2024-pre-entry?fbclid=IwY2xjawG7HshleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaZjst_xUtyLLOQ9S3izliRJB-NDnOpoVXTQPknb8DmoytazETvqbQclUA_aem_Vzt0ozMDeo9SmMlUPg4xNA

NB. Entries close on THURSDAY evening.


For those who have not paid for all three races in advance please use the link below to pay for your entry:

https://manxfellrunners.sumupstore.com/product/whl-single-race-entry-senior

Registration is from 12.15 to 13.15 at the Ard Whallan Outdoor Pursuit Centre, West Baldwin with the race due to start at 13.30. The presentations along with refreshments will take place here, post race.

The course is fully flagged and safety gear is not compulsory. However, please consider bringing a jacket, hat and gloves in case of adverse weather and wear footwear with plenty of grip.

Two VERY IMPORTANT points to note please.

VEHICLE PARKING- There is limited parking at the centre but which rapidly fills up. Please car share if possible.There is space to park on the road near the reservoir but please park safely and legally with consideration for other road users. Parking is also available at the Colden car park….if you fancy a warm up jog?

MUDDY SHOES AND SOCKS- We are grateful to have the use of the centre for the post race presentations and refreshments on condition that we keep the venue as clean as we can. Please do not enter the premises with muddy shoes or socks…before or after the race…especially after…..not surprisingly! Think about bringing spare shoes?