First fell race - Kinder Downfall

Having seen some banter on the BG round on this forum and watched, first hand, a fell race in the lakes last year, I've decided to give this little understood arm of our sport (at least for us southerners!!) a go.

So, in a little over two weeks time I shall be taking part in the Kinder Downfall, a race described by Richard Askwith (he of "Feet in the Clouds" fame) as being one of the highlights of the fell running calender.

I think I'm in for a shock to the system, it's 10 miles which is enough of a challenge not be taken lightly and I'm hoping having run plenty of XC and some longer distance trail races this year, as well as being a keen and competent hill walker and climber, will stand me in good stead.

Has anyone run this before?

Have a look at this website - it's all about it

get used to walking up hill

get even more used to running down slopes you would normally think twice about walking down.

Good luck, you will love it.

SP - blimeythatsbendy has summed this up well - I did it last year and I'll be there again this
Absolute Classic - one of the "signature" fell races of the Peak District

then there's the extended version - the Kinder Trog - in June...

Well he survived and loved it - finished in around 1.50ish.  Now want to do the one in June.

I finished in about 1:49, so was probably running near Mr Punch without knowing it!

Fantastic day - perfect conditions

anybody wanting to know what a fell race looks like close up NEEDS to view this set of pics:

http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/~temples/hc/pics/kinder-downfall-2009-s1-p1.html

Ha ha love this one; the marshall's wearing hat and gloves and looks like he's set for an artic winter and the runner's going past topless 

http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/~temples/hc/pics/photo/kinder-downfall-2009-s1/image/img_037.jpeg

I finished in 1.51.xx. I reckoned on around 2 hrs so was chuffed to bits with this time. Indeed it was fantatstic conditions if a bit windy up top.

 As this was my first ever fell run/race I really had no idea what I was letting myself in for. Enjoyed every bit of it, even if I burst my right big toe which became bloody painful on the run in across the fields.

Daz - you're not with Congleton are you? If so, I think we were over taking each other for the first 6/7 miles and then you guys left standing me on the decent from Edale Cross!

Today my legs hurt like never before and I've run my fair share of marathons. I guess I'll need to make a few more trips oop norf for some practise....

See you at Kinder Trog?

Thanks to the organiser and marshals who made this an event I will definitely return to!

SP - not Congleton, but you must have seen me as I was running in an horrific "radioactive green" vest in my capacity as a Fell Pony

the descent from Kinder Low cairn to the road was indeed my "best" bit of the race

just off to fill in my Kinder Trog entry...