The Fellsman (61 Mile 11,000ft Multi-terrain Event) 30 April - 01 May
Report by Ady Warner
Pleased that a kit check option was available on the Friday evening before the early start on Saturday morning meant I had time to empty everything out before repacking it all again into the special place in my daysac where I will easily find it. Well, that was the idea anyway. Kit check was smooth and then I went off to the quarry at Threshfield to set up my camper ready for a comfortable night’s sleep. Seeing Paul there we sat and chatted over a cuppa about running, as you would yeah?
05:00 and people were up and about. I opted for the breakfast to save myself the hassle in the morning and boarded the coach at 06:15 heading to the start in Ingleton. Relaxing and waiting for others to have their kit check and looking out for friends who we’ve not been able to catch up with for ages felt relaxing too. The obligatory race briefing and at precisely 08:30 we were off.
The route hits Ingleborough (724m) before moving onto Chapel le Dale, the second of many check points. It’s the chance meeting of familiar faces that lift your spirits, but I wasn’t expecting to see the legend John Bull sat on the grass enjoying the sunshine. It’s a shame this was so early on really. On to Whernside (736m), Gragareth (627m) and Great Coum (687m) before descending into Dent for the first major feed stations at 20 miles in.
Promising to be kind to myself and ensure I was feeling better than on the recent Hard Moors 55 I took the time to feed and drink plenty. After Dent was new territory to me. I had a rough idea of where I was and which way I was heading, but I was pleased to have a steady stream of competitors to follow from this point. Moving over Blea Moor (585m) allowed me to look back down to where we’d started, over what we’d done and everything that lay ahead was awe inspiring. The sheer scale of the event takes your breath away as well as frightening you into pressing on. Stonehouse Farm sits below the Arton Gill Viaduct. Arriving here for more food every runner took refuge in the tents as the first of the day’s rain started. Debating whether to put on a waterproof or hope for the best was a strong topic of conversation. I opted for a jacket for climbing up to the summit of Great Knoutberry (672m). Warm to begin with but proving to be a good decision in the cooling headwind after the summit I pressed on with the usual cat and mouse game that takes place with others who end up being in your race.
Descending to the Redshaw feed station on the Ingleton to Hawes road I was greeted by a friend who had decided to volunteer rather than run. I can recommend you check Carmine De Grandis and his accordion playing at Redshaw out. Boosted again with friendly inspiring faces and more food I plodded on up over the open moorland. Notice I said plodded on, the elevation and mileage were starting to slow me down now. Motivated by chatting to others I ticked off the mileage and reached Dodd Fell (668m) before yet again dropping down to Fleet Moss (37 miles in) and more food.
The weather was beginning to deteriorate now as forecasted and with limited daylight left I made a speedy change of clothes before further descending into Upper Wharfedale. This was a lovely run down the road as opposed to previous yearswhere permission was given by the land owner to cross the moorland. Taking advantage I took on some ‘youths’ to Yokenthwaite. Without pushing too much and saving my legs for the brutal climb directly up to a checkpoint at Middle Tongue (600m) I WON! HaHaHa
By now the daylight was completely gone and coupled with the poor visibility in the thick mist I found myself completely alone high up in barren moorland. Some might find it surprising to know I had never felt so completely alive than in that moment when I paused and turned off my head torch. I couldn’t see a thing! I only normally get this when I’m caving but this was very different.
With no time to hang about and discover myself I continued to Cray for more food. It was getting harder to swallow now but remembering to be kind to myself I took the time to ensure I had fuel. Pleased that the rain had eased a little I began the journey to Buckden Pike (702m), knowing the area well through work, I gained in confidence and moved smoothly on toward the Park Rash and final feed station. Well, that’s until the mist came back with a vengeance causing me to slow again as I navigated through a network of stonewalls and minor footpaths.
Catching up with some other runners at Park Rash they confided that they had also found the conditions challenging. Who cares now though? I only had Great Whernside (704m) to climb and I was on the downhill path to victory, well relief at least. Just as I was about to head out of the tent another friend who I’d not seen for ages, bloody pandemic, walked in and boosted my mood.
Right here we go, Great Whernside down to Grassington and the finish! As I approached the summit I saw the guys from the previous checkpoint coming in from my left. I thought where did they go? Pleased that I’d gained a couple of places in the results table I scurried down to Clappersgate and passed another guy. Chuffed with this I tramped on to Yarnbury where the volunteers clipped the final hole in my tally. With only a 2-mile road section into Grassington and the finish line daylight quickly made a comeback. It was just after 5am and I’d been up and moving for 24 hours. I can honestly say it didn’t feel like it. Spurred on once again I finally opened the door to the school and some overly eager volunteers trying to cut off my tally, tracker and dibber I stopped my watch.
All I wanted now was a shower, a cuppa, some beans on toast and some overdue SLEEP!
If someone asked me to sum up the FELLSMAN in one word I’d have to say,
Fantastic Experience Luscious Long Spectacular Mountainous Ascents Notorious!
Afternote; There are an infinite number of reasons why folk decide to end their race. It is without a doubt harder to stop than to enter in the first place. Making that decision is only for the individual to live with and requires no explanation to anyone outside looking in. It is always for the right reasons. Well done goes to the others who started with me.
Results: https://www.fellsman.org.uk/?page_id=2681
Hugh Watkin: 19th 14:08
Ady Warner: 91st 21:09
Paul Walker: DNF
Victoria Morris: DNF
For interest
315 Entrants entered the event (including 40 who withdrew before the event start)
71 Non-starters
204 Started the event
70 Entrants retired or voluntarily withdrew from the event
134 Entrants finished the event.