Would you like some FatAss Action? - Ultra / Adventure racing

Tim Bateson

17/02/2012 at 14:42

I have recently been listening to a few American podcasts on Ultra Running and they often refer to "FatAss" running events.

For those not familiar with the term a FatAss run involves a group of people meeting up and going for a run together. A route for the run would be published but is it very likely that would be no aid stations, route markers, finisher tee shirts. These events are very informal and is more of a social event/training run than a race. The other cool thing about FatAss events is that they are totally free

I am still quite new to the Ultra running scene and there seems to be very few organised events in the area that I live (Tyne and Wear) Yet there are some fantastic trails near to where I live and even more in Northumberland.

So I am thinking of setting up a FatAss run in the summer and would like to know if there is anyone else that may be interested in helping set up the event or to just take part.

I would also like to hear from other people that have set up or would like to set up an event in their own area.

PS Should the UK use FatArse or FatBum instead of FatAss

Edited: 17/02/2012 at 14:47

Tiago Hefner 2

17/02/2012 at 15:38

I think it's a great idea, Tim. All the long runs we have to do in training for ultras can get pretty samey if done on your own or pricey if your doing events. I would definitely get involved if someone were to consider doing one in my neck of the woods - Oxfordshire. Might be worth doing them in conjunction with the TrailBlaze routes, although that would add some cost.

Nick L

17/02/2012 at 15:49

good idea - there are plenty of long distance routes - national trails being one, but there are also many more regional ones.

In GLos for instance there is now the Winchcombe way - 40 miles or so i think, circular route...passing through some villages (chance to get supplies etc)

ALISTAIR STEWART 4

17/02/2012 at 16:37

Great thread title Tim - For a moment I thought I had hit the wrong bookmark on my browser! I will certainly join you and help out, count me in.

All - I also think this to be a fantastic idea and can see from the posts above how much choice we will have for great runs; it can only help get my Fat Ass out of bed and onto the trails for long, long runs.

There are some great trails near me with National Cycle Route number 6 linking me almost from my door to Clumber Park and beyond. A little further out is the Peak District.

I will definitely join others and very happily play 'host' to a run near me most likely in the Peak District.

Edited: 17/02/2012 at 16:40

ALISTAIR STEWART 4

17/02/2012 at 16:45

On the 'Americanism' of the term FatAss would we Brits be so crude as to use Fat? mmmm ... more likely 'PlumpBum'.

Edited: 17/02/2012 at 16:46

cragchick

17/02/2012 at 17:26

Think it's a great idea Tim, sadly wrong neck of the woods for me, although I love Northumberland; but would happily sort something for NE Scotland area ... we do have a few low-key events but again, I have some fabulous trails right on my doorstep that no-one else seems to really use for long-distance training. Seeing as the title is a bit tongue in cheek 'FatAss' wouldn't bother me actually!

Tim Bateson

17/02/2012 at 18:56

Hi thanks for everyone's replies. The route I am thinking of would take in the Angel of the North, Penshaw monument and a tidal path on the river Wear. The key areas are connected via series of old railway lines. I am wanting to pick a distance of around 50k as it makes it runnable in half a day so allows time for travel etc. If there was more interest in Northumberland then I could also pick several great routes there as well.

Alistair love the idea of plumpbumb made me laugh

Also like the FatAss title as well though.

Cragchick I too would like more people to know about some of the fabulous runs in the area. I found most of them on my mountain bike, but now seem to have my running where I can run my old bike routes

I notice the website here as a route facility, I know there a couple of websites that list/promote fatass events as well(but they seem to be very US dominated). We could even create a website ourselves if there is enough interest. Maybe for now use this forum and routes function. We could also maybe use http://www.ultramarathonrunning.com/races/uk.html to list events. But want to be careful not to become too official or we would need insurance/permission to hold event etc!

What are other peoples thoughts on how to gain interest and promote the events themselves.

I will get started on mapping the route I want to run, and track how much interest is generated on this thread in general.

GKD

18/02/2012 at 12:46

Excellent idea Tim, there's a RW Facebook group you could advertise on too, in fact there's no reason you couldn't post details on as many forums as you can find

spen71

04/03/2012 at 09:06

Brilliant idea. So many which can be done. All it takes is one person to recce the route before hand and see what shops etc are available for supplies. Could even take it over 2 days and sort a campsite out.

Andy AFCB

04/03/2012 at 22:17

Good idea, I'm based in Gateshead so I'll be keeping an eye on this one

Kevin Payne

27/07/2012 at 14:41

I was just looking at organising something similar in Essex / Suffolk and stumbled across this board by way of Google, and a local guy who obviously had a similar idea - and ran it just last week without me even hearing about it, despite being connected with several local running clubs. A shame, but I'm inspired... this is what he did - no frills, but it does the job.... http://fatassrunning.com/

AndrewSmith pirate

pirate

30/07/2012 at 22:52

ALISTAIR STEWART 4 wrote (see)

On the 'Americanism' of the term FatAss would we Brits be so crude as to use Fat? mmmm ... more likely 'PlumpBum'.

There used to be a race along the North Downs way years ago from Sevenoaks(well close by there) to Farnham called the Fat arse 50 so I think we brits have just as much a crude sense of humour

UFO

02/08/2012 at 12:17

Important to note that you need to be insured. Matt is insured through his LiRF (I think). But a great idea.

Kevin Payne

02/08/2012 at 12:43

You don't 'need' to be insured, but whether you wish to be will depend on what you are doing and on your approach to risk. Getting a race permit from the TRA would resolve the issue anyway, but you would then need to charge a small fee to unattached runners. Its not a deal breaker. Anyone who needs to see an insurance policy before going for a run is not invited to any run I do !

Ben Davies 15

02/08/2012 at 18:26

Personally, I can be persuaded to run anything that is sensible, and most things that are not.

Alice Powell 2

06/08/2012 at 15:19

Interesting idea, can't wait to hear more.

pursuedbyangrybees

07/08/2012 at 18:46

I'm interested - I'm in Tyne & Wear and just getting towards ultras - started running in Novermber 2011, got a half marathon in September, a marathon in October and entered in The Wall in June 2013. Anything to help me get started would be mint.

Andy AFCB

12/08/2012 at 12:51

Well there seems to be a few of us in Tyne and wear , we should get something organised. I ran the wall in June and am entered into the winter 100 in November but my motivation seems to have hit the floor! I'd certainly be intereseted if something got off the ground.

Not sure if Tims original route suggestion is passable thanks to the recent storms -ran part of it a few weeks ago and it was carnage!

shawk

16/08/2012 at 08:42

I've just read this for the first time. It's something I've been thinking about quite a bit recently, though I never knew the term fatass existed to describe it.

My idea was to create a website called 'Unofficial Ultra', then from time to time post details of a meet, route maps etc. Since it would very much be a self sufficient affair, routes would need to pass shops etc for water every 20m or so and these could be marked on the map. With ultras filling up very quickly and starting to cost more and more I thought this would be ideal for people who aren't so bothered about carrying a bit more kit, getting an official time etc.

They could also double up as recce missions for proper races, e.g. split the Thames path, Ridgeway, NDW etc into two legs. The trickiest part I thought was finding the balance between it being an organised race needing insurance etc, and a group of people just out for a run. If something did happen then I don't know how easy it would be to cover yourself, given the UK has embraced a litigious culture.

pursuedbyangrybees

16/08/2012 at 21:14

Think it's best to start as just a few folk meeting up for a run - less bother that way.

Just reading Boff Whalley's "Run Wild", and he talks about getting away from organised running into just plain running for the fun of it - so far I can highly recommend it,