Fell Running
“Fell running can easily be distinguished from other athletic events, in that it takes place not on a track or on roads but off road, over rough country and preferably with considerable amounts of ascending and descending, usually over some significant hills or mountains……….. they may also involve mountain navigation skills, since a race may involve participants finding their way from one checkpoint to the next, often over terrain that has no paths to guide the way.”
Steve Chilton. It’s A Hill, Get Over It. 2013
Have a look at this clip to get a flavour of what fell running is about, and then come along and join us.
Pensby Runners have developed a strong fell running contingent over recent years and are now well known in the fell running community, especially in North Wales. We have a summer fell league and a winter fell league each comprising of approximately 12 races.
Races can be short and only a few miles long (2 – 5 miles) and there are a number of these shorter races in North East Wales mainly around the Moel Famau area, up to the very long events which can be 20, 30, 40 miles or more.
Fell running is governed in England by the FRA (Fell Runners Association). Find out more and join the FRA.
Please note that there are minimum kit requirements on ALL fell races. Please abide by these – otherwise you face a ban from racing and, worse, damaging the reputation of the club.
Pensby Runners Winter Fell Calendar 2025/26
| Sunday 26 October | Clwydian Hills |
Grade AM, 9.8mi / 3117ft (Intermediate) |
|
Friday 7 November |
Dash in the Dark 1 |
Grade BS, 4mi / 751ft (Moderate) -not in the league |
| Saturday 15 November | Penmaenmawr |
Grade BM, 10mi / 1949ft (Intermediate) |
| Friday 5 December | Dash in the Dark 2 |
Grade BS, 4mi / 751ft (Moderate) -not in the league |
| Sunday 14 December | Jingle Hells |
Grade AM, 6.2mi / 3465ft (Intermediate) |
| Saturday 20 December | Christmas Social |
10k, 15k, 20k options (Various) -not in the league |
| December (TBC) | Jubilee Plunge |
Grade AS, 2mi / -1532ft (Moderate) |
| January (TBC) | Dash in the Dark 3 |
Grade BS, 4mi / 751ft (Moderate) -not in the league |
| January (TBC) | The Horse |
Grade BM, 7.8mi / 1640ft (Intermediate) |
| January (TBC) | Tarrenhendre |
Grade AS, 6mi / 2001ft (Moderate+) |
| February (TBC) | Conwy Mountain |
Grade AS, 5mi / 1640ft (Intermediate) |
| February (TBC) | Sheeptracks | TBC (Intermediate +) |
| March (TBC) | Pipe Dream |
Grade AS, 4.2mi / 1280ft (Moderate) |
| March (TBC) | Llantysilio |
Grade AS 6.2mi / 2100ft (Intermediate) |
| Saturday 28 March | Ras yr Aran |
Grade AM, 10mi / 3100ft (Advanced) |
| April (TBC) | Ras y Moelwyn |
Grade AM, 10.5mi / 2799ft (Advanced) |
| Sunday 12 April | Llangollen |
Grade BM, 17.4mi / 3002ft (Intermediate) |
For ALL races full kit should be carried in strict adherence with FRA / WFRA rules for that distance and in line with the organisers rules (carry full kit to the race to be sure). Numbers are to be pinned to the front of the chest. It is preferable that a Pensby vest is worn. NO HEADPHONES.
Please study race details before entering to ensure you have the necessary skills and fitness to complete the race safely and in reasonable time.
For all races arrangements will be made to meet and share cars from the club car park. See Neil G, Dave G or Nigel C for details about kit, training etc..
Grading guide: A, B or C refers to climb per mile. A = no less than 250ft per mile, B = 125 ft per mile and 100ft per mile. S = Short (less than 6 miles), M = Medium (6 – 12 miles) and L = Long (more than 12 miles).
For full details, including a beginners guide, visit: https://www.welshfellrunnersassociation.org.uk/en/
Levels of Difficulty
Note – all fell races are designed to be challenging, and require a sense of adventure and confidence on your feet. Prior experience is not required for “Moderate” events.
|
Level |
Course |
Navigation |
Fitness Guideline |
|
MODERATE |
Short(ish) with some steep or technical sections. On lower hills, not too far from civilisation |
None (but worth looking at route beforehand) |
Club 5 mile handicap in around 45-50 mins |
|
INTERMEDIATE |
Challenging course with steep or technical terrain. Usually remote or mountainous. |
Basic skills, especially in poor weather |
Club 7 mile handicap in around 60-65 mins |
|
ADVANCED |
Very challenging with big climbs and difficult terrain. Remote, high mountains with hazards |
Strong nav skills |
Half marathon in under 2 hours for shorter races (eg Foel Fras, Arenig Fawr) |
There will be a mens and ladies league trophy. First man home and first lady home will get 15 points. Second 14, third 13 etc down to 3 points. Should there be more than 15 men or women in a race then the maximum points available will increase accordingly e.g. if 18 men then 20 points and similarly down to 3 points.
If someone starts a race but does not finish (DNF) they will get 1 point.
Previous League Winners
| Men | Ladies | |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2023/24 League | Neil Gooding | Alex Royden |
| Summer 2023 League | Neil Gooding | Anne Rosbottom |
| Winter 2022 / 23 League | Will Platts | Julie Dala |
| Summer 2022 League | Warren McNally | Becky Doran |
| Summer 2020 to Winter 2021/22 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 |
| Winter 2019 / 20 League | Neil Gooding | |
| Summer 2019 League | Nigel Crompton | Lisa Grantham and Carole Morrison |
| Winter 2018 / 19 League | David Green | Ursula Moore |
| Summer 2018 League | David Green | Lucy Partridge |
| Winter 2017 / 18 League | David Green | Lisa Grantham |
| Summer 2017 League | Nigel Crompton | Alex Royden |
| Winter 2016 / 17 League | David Green | Alex Royden |
| Summer 2016 League | Andrew Sumner | Lisa Grantham |
| Winter 2015 / 16 League | Nigel Crompton | Lisa Grantham |
| Summer 2015 League | Nigel Crompton | Pat Peers |
| Winter 2014 / 15 League | Rob Grantham | Anne Rosbottom |
| Summer 2014 League | Nigel Crompton | Pat Peers |
| Winter 2013 /14 League | Tom Rutherford | Debbie Rutherford |
| Summer 2013 League | Nigel Crompton | Pat Peers |
| Winter 2012 / 13 League | Tom Rutherford | Pat Peers |
| Summer 2012 League | Nigel Crompton | Fiona McGivern |
| Winter 2011 /12 League | Adrian Mercer | Pat Peers |
| Summer 2011 League | Stuart Barnard | Pat Peers |
| Winter 2010 / 11 League | Bill McDonnel | Pat Peers |
| Summer 2010 League | David Green | Pat Peers |
