Comments on: Why the interest in fell running? http://middlepack.co.uk/2008/02/why-the-interest-in-fell-running/ The view from the middle of the pack Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:48:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Keith Douglas http://middlepack.co.uk/2008/02/why-the-interest-in-fell-running/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Keith Douglas Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:31:17 +0000 http://middlepack.co.uk/?p=16#comment-82 I'm a relative newcomer to fellrunning, and there's no doubt that the greater access to information about the sport and the events has encouraged me to 'give it a go'. That wouldn't have been the case 5 years ago when it was very much a hidden world. Reading Feet in the Clouds captured my interest as well. My main problem is that I'd really like to do more fellrunning, but living in Cambridgeshire makes it difficult. I think that this geographical factor is one reason why many people will continue with other activity sports such as road running as their main focus and only have a go at three or four fellraces a year. Inevitably they end up doing the classics, and those that they have read about. In many ways fellrunning is no different to road running as far as popularity of events is concerned. People outside road running are attracted by the high profile events eg London Marathon, Great North Run, and there's no doubt that they are great events to take part in. Many people will do these events and then that will be it. For the minority who take it further (but still as a midfield runner) the smaller events are often better - easier parking, less congested at the start, lower cost. I therefore agree with you about seeking out the less well known events in the fellracing calendar. As well as reducing the pressure on the popular events, it may well be a better overall experience for the runners. I’m a relative newcomer to fellrunning, and there’s no doubt that the greater access to information about the sport and the events has encouraged me to ‘give it a go’. That wouldn’t have been the case 5 years ago when it was very much a hidden world. Reading Feet in the Clouds captured my interest as well.

My main problem is that I’d really like to do more fellrunning, but living in Cambridgeshire makes it difficult. I think that this geographical factor is one reason why many people will continue with other activity sports such as road running as their main focus and only have a go at three or four fellraces a year. Inevitably they end up doing the classics, and those that they have read about.

In many ways fellrunning is no different to road running as far as popularity of events is concerned. People outside road running are attracted by the high profile events eg London Marathon, Great North Run, and there’s no doubt that they are great events to take part in. Many people will do these events and then that will be it. For the minority who take it further (but still as a midfield runner) the smaller events are often better – easier parking, less congested at the start, lower cost. I therefore agree with you about seeking out the less well known events in the fellracing calendar. As well as reducing the pressure on the popular events, it may well be a better overall experience for the runners.

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