First ever fell race that I ever entered, so it is always a special one for me. I imagine that’s the case for many people with their first race!

Looking up a tarmac lane, the race begins with a runnable ascent. Briefly levelling out as it passes the farm before steepening again. As the road turns left at the corner, note the green northern footpath sign on the right. At the end of the race, you will emerge here again for the final run down. Pass the farmhouse at the top of the road and turn right before taking an immediate left through a wooden gate. Scramble over some rough ground to gain some tracks, or maybe taking a higher line following the wall on the right is quicker overall? ⊕ The track is easier but there’s more people on it, up to the right is rougher but fewer people are using it.

It remains steep but runnable to the top of the climb. Cross over another wide grassy track and head directly on through some rougher grass, not particularly tussocky but gets a bit boggy in places. Through a gate (it’s always open) in the wall to another farm where it tends to be quite muddy.

Go right (usually around a marshall) before reaching the fence and head back down the slope. This is quicker running now and good to think about passing now before the track narrows, crossing the stream and into a wooded section. Head left and follow one of the available trods as it undulates towards another wall. Hop over the stile and fast running available as you head straight on, then left just after the tree where the descent is sharp. Try to stop before hitting the fence and pass through a kissing gate and then another hop through a stile. Head right along the lane for only a short distance before taking a wooden stile (watch out for the barbed wire) on the right into another grassy field.

Head up briefly and then left towards some isolated stones, heading towards a gate in the fence. The ground around here is typically boggy. Heading right and down towards the wood, aiming for a gate that can’t be seen until you arrive. Try to keep footing as you head downhill and cross the stream. Pass over the track and head towards the woods next to some houses. The path forks here but take the right and do your best to avoid the holly as you pop out on the road at the old folks home. Follow this left and up, between some barbed wire fences and over another wooden stile. Hopefully the horses are out the field as you head uphill through the field. All the way to the top and through a gate on the left of the wall. Now a steep climb straight up the face of the hill, heading left at the fence corner of the trees back down. Pass into one field, then over a rickety stile to hop over another one. When in the rough ground head straight down and emerge back onto the initial lane. It’s often greasy here and mud on the boots can make the first few steps a bit slippy. Pelt down until you get back to the starting line.