Fell Running and Hypothermia.

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With the current conditions on the upland fells and given this weekends weather forecast it would be prudent for all runners new and experienced to make themselves familiar with the FRA's (Fell Running Associations) Guidance on Hypothermia, how to avoid and what to do if you are unfortunate enough to get it.

Details can be found here-

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6veictps61o9f6f/FRA_Hypothermia.pdf?fb=1

 

 

2015 "Buffs"

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Manx Fell Runners 2015 Design “Buffs” will shortly be available in limited numbers (25 initially) at a cost of £10.00, any profits from the sale will be returned to the club. Please register your interest / order by emailing [email protected] with your name and contact details.

Note that the colours below aren't truly representative - they will be grey/red like the league finisher hoodies.

Im glad to say these are now all sold !

Ard Whallan 2015

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The second counter in the 2015 Calin Wild sponsored Manx Fell Running League, takes place on Saturday 24th January. Start time is 1.00pm for the main race with an earlier 12.30pm start for any runner expecting to take over 2hrs.

Registration will be at the Ard Whallan Outdoor Pursuit Centre from 12.00pm until 12.20pm for the early start and 12.30pm until 12.50pm for the main race. Online pre entry is available for this race (see below). Entry fee is £5.

Full safety kit is mandatory for all runners and this will be inspected at registration.

Race distance is 12.5km with 750m of ascent. A/M 

Any runner who has not completed a medium or long fell race in the past must take part in an official recce of the course that will be held on Saturday 17th January at 10.00am from Ard Whallan (check Facebook page for details)

Please do not park at the Outdoor Pursuit Centre as there is limited parking. There is plenty of space on the road outside and the Colden Car Park is just a few hundred metres to the north.

Showers and refreshments will be available in the Centre after the race.

Any newcomers to the sport of fell running who have competed at St Johns and feel they would like to take on the challenge of a more testing course but are a bit apprehensive of tackling a tough A category race should note that a short race will be held in conjunction with the Ard Whallan Fell Race. This course will be a step up from St Johns but not over difficult. It will cover a section of the Ard Whallan course and will start at the same time. The race will be counted as a finish in the Manx Fell Running League but will only award 2 points to all competitors. This race will be strictly for newcomers to the sport who have never completed a medium or long race. Minimum age 16 on race day. Registration between 12.30pm and 12.50pm. Please note the course is only marked through private land, not on the open fell.

New runners should make themselves familiar with the safety rules and regulations of fell running by reading - http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/pdf/committee/14_Competitors_Safety_Rules_and_Equipment.pdf

Full safety kit is mandatory for all runners and this will be inspected at registration

 

ONLINE PRE ENTRY HERE - JUST SIGN, COLLECT NUMBER AND PAY £5 ON THE DAY

Route description including maps are available on the race info page - http://manxfellrunners.org/ardwhallin
 

Current Entry List (23/01/2015)

St Johns 2015 - Important Info

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It has been necessary to change the route in a couple of places for the St Johns Race on New Years Day. The start and finish, as advertised, will be in the St Johns Cricket Club field. The ascent through the plantation starts the usual way through the main entrance but after the first part of the climb will follow a different route that will ascend by way of a new section that has been named the Witches Tunnel. I think everyone will find this extremely interesting! It is a very tough but enjoyable climb through the trees to the top stile. At the summit the route will differ from past years by descending to the west and picking up a rough track through Ballaspit Farm that eventually leads back to the entrance to the plantation that is used in the Winter Hill League. If we are lucky enough to have a clear day the scenery on this section is quite stunning! The course will then follow the WHL route to the bottom track where it will turn right to lead back to the main plantation entrance. The course will be carefully flagged wherever required.

Those who have pre-entered online should proceed directly to the allocated desk to pay your entry fee and collect your race number. Those who have no pre-entered should fill out an entry form and proceed to the allocated desk(s).

The forecast for the race is poor and runners are reminded that they must wear or carry a waterproof top.

Rob Campbell

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Rob on his way to a top 20 finish in the Baldwin Valleys race

Rob on his way to a top 20 finish in the Baldwin Valleys race

Everyone involved in the local fell running scene was shocked to hear of the tragic death of Rob Campbell last weekend. Rob was a relative newcomer to our sport. He completed the Isle of Man Ultra for the first time in 2013 and has previously competed in the Winter Hill Running League and the first four fell league races in 2014 in which he was showing improved results in each race. No doubt his close mates in the Northern Posse would have encouraged him to enter more of our races in the future if events had not turned so tragically wrong.

As well as his adventures on land Rob was also proud to have been one of the 15 men that rowed a Viking long boat round the Island in 2010.  The team completed the continuous 90 mile journey in a record breaking sub 24 hour time.  A feat that Rob was very proud of and certainly one that demonstrated his raw sense of adventure. 

I have to admit I did not know Rob that well but I did have a long and very enjoyable conversation with him while watching a St Georges v Ramsey soccer match a while back. He came over as a pleasant and likeable bloke who was very easy to converse with and his passion and enthusiasm for sport was quite obvious.

Everyone involved  in the fell running scene on the island would like to pass on their deepest sympathies to Rob's family and friends. RIP Rob.

 

(Richie Stevenson and Nick Coole)

St Johns Fell Race 2015 & other socials

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The opening round of the 2015 Manx Fell Running League takes place on New Years Day at St Johns and will again enjoy sponsorship from David Cretney.

PLEASE NOTE NEW START TIME 2pm TO ENABLE RUNNERS TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW YEARS DIP(S)

The short race is one of the highlights in the local athletics calendar and usually attracts a large entry. Although the race is very competitive the organisers are keen to encourage as many novice runners as possible. The route is sporting but by no means overly difficult.  Most people with a reasonable standard of fitness should be able to complete the 5km course. In keeping with the festive time of year all competitors are invited to run in fancy dress.

Registration is from 12.45pm at the St Johns Football Club with the race starting at 2.00pm

The start and finish will be at the St Johns Cricket Club field which is adjacent to St Johns Football Club.

There will be no prizes awarded in this race as all entry fees, which are £5 for seniors and £2 for juniors, will be donated to the charities Pumps for Kids and the RNLI. Minimum age is 12 years on day of race.

ONLINE PRE-ENTRY IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS RACE - PLEASE USE THE FORM AT HTTP://WWW.MANXFELLRUNNERS.ORG/STJOHNS2015PREENTRY THEN JUST COLLECT YOUR NUMBER AND PAY ON RACE DAY. THERE IS NO NEED TO COMPLETE THE PAPER FORM ON THE DAY IF YOU USE THIS OPTION.

Full safety gear is not required but it is mandatory for every competitor to carry a waterproof top.

Runners should note that MP3 Players or anything that requires headphones that hinder hearing are banned from all fell races.

There will be refreshments in the clubhouse after the race. Paul Killey is also raising money for Pumps for Kids and he will be having a sponsored head shave as soon as he has completed the race.

Current Entry List (29/12/2014)

CHRISTMAS SOCIALS

Note: The following are socials only not races, and not organised events.

TUES 30th DEC PIER TO PIER REAL ALE RUN (in reverse).

Start at The Bay, Port Erin, anytime between 2pm &  3pm a festive run around the coast path meeting up at The Albert, PSM about 4pm. Headtorch, waterproof/warm gear, and fell shoes recommended.

2.30pm SAT 3rd JAN vie noa ROIDERYN pynt sharroo thie oast phurt le moirrey

Meet at The Colby Glen, for an easy road run sampling real ales at various Southern hostelries en-route including The Shore Hotel, Railway, Station, Falcon and Bay Hotel.

Followed by a voluntary 21 day alcohol abstinence!

Aston International WHL 3 Results

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Congratulations to all who completed the final round of the Aston International Winter Hill League, and the series. Results of round 3 here: http://manxfellrunners.org/s/WHL3-2014.pdf

Final league standings can be found at http://manxfellrunners.org/s/WHL-2014-League-Final.pdf

Murrays race photos here.and video on manxatheltics home page here

The presentation to prize winners was at The Tynwald Inn after the race.

The Aston International chip baps, and pasties sponsored by Dave Collister were much appreciated!