Eskdale Mixed Fell Relay
The Eskdale Mixed Fell Relay is a fell running relay team event designed to challenge a club’s strength in depth on the fells. The relay is hosted by Black Combe Runners, and is set in the very beautiful Eskdale valley in the Lake District. The event is not for profit and all proceeds will support children at St Bega’s Primary School, in Eskdale (cakes will be available to buy on the day!).
The relay comprises four legs, each involving sections of rough, steep and/or challenging terrain. All runners must be competent navigators, self-sufficient in the mountains and familiar with the demands and terrain of fell running. GPS is NOT permitted for this event, so please ensure that all team members have the skills to navigate effectively using map and compass, including during poor weather and low visibility. This is NOT a trail race, the courses will NOT be flagged, and this event is NOT suitable for novices.
Entries are invited from clubs who can field mixed team(s) of runners with the appropriate experience for an event of this nature.
PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY
- 08:30 - 09:40: Registration
- 10:00: Race start
- 10:00 - 17:00: Tasty cakes available to buy raising funds for local primary school! Bring cash! :)
- 14:00: Mass start for Leg C
- 14:30: Kepple Crag checkpoint closes (Leg B)
- 14:45: Winners expected to finish somewhere around this time…
- 15:00: Mass start for Leg D
- 16:00: Oliver Gill checkpoint closes (Leg C)
- 16:30(ish): Prize giving
- 17:00: Stony Tarn checkpoint closes (Leg D)
- 17:30: Event close - head to the pub!
Note - Random kit checks throughout the day.
TEAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The event is open to mixed teams of 8 people only. Each team MUST comprise:
- 1 x MSEN and 1 x WSEN (aged 18-39 years on race day)
- 1 x MV40 and 1 x WV40 (aged 40-49 years on race day)
- 1 x MV50 and 1 x WV50 (aged 50-59 years on race day)
- 1 x MV60+ and 1 x WV60+ (aged 60 years or older on race day)
Runners must compete in their allocated age category, as described above. For example, a MV60 cannot compete in a MV50 age category. This is to ensure fair representation across all age categories.
Runners must be members of their club (first or second claim), running in their club vest.
Each team must have a nominated captain who will be the designated point of contact for their team. Please note, it is strongly advised that your nominated captain makes the entry for your team, as all race correspondence will be emailed to the individual who has submitted the entry. If this is NOT the team captain, the individual entering the team MUST accept responsibility for cascading ALL information to the nominated captain and runners, as this correspondence will include important safety and race day information.
Each team of 8 MUST be divided into pairs, one pair to complete each leg.
There are NO RULES about HOW the runners should be paired. There is NO requirement for runners of the same gender or age category to be paired (for example, a FV40 can be paired with a MV50 if that is the best option for that team). This gives clubs flexibility - and the opportunity to be tactical - in how they configure their team(s) and pair their runners.