It's thought that fell running, which involves racing over mountain terrain, has existed in one form or another for around a thousand years, and yet it's still a relatively niche sport. With events being held by the Fell Running Association on a weekly basis, however, there's no reason why anyone can't get involved. Running up and downhill provides a physical challenge, while the need for orienteering skills means you'll also need to exercise your brain.
One of the largest concerns about fell running is safety, because unfortunately there have been incidents where people have badly injured themselves or even died. Risks can be minimised by making sure you always adhere to the guidelines put in place by the Fell Running Association and running with a group if you don't have the experience or knowledge required to run solo.
If you do want to go fell running solo there are a few steps you can take to ensure that you have a safe as well as fun experience. First of all, make sure you've got a map and compass packed so you don't get lost. A whistle will help you get someone attention if you need it, while food rations could also prove useful.
The other essential bit of kit are a pair of shoes that can cope with the terrain and potentially wet weather you'll be up against. Regular running shoes just won't do the job and could end up causing an injury. Brands like Inov-8 and Walsh make some of the best fell running shoes available - they have a bumpy sole for added grip that really comes in useful when you're tackling steep gradients on the descent.
There's a lot more to fell running, but much of it can only be experienced on the mountain. If going for a first time it's always better to go in a group and to make doubly sure you have everything you could need. Before long however you could find yourself tackling Ben Nevis or the Lake District all by yourself.
One of the largest concerns about fell running is safety, because unfortunately there have been incidents where people have badly injured themselves or even died. Risks can be minimised by making sure you always adhere to the guidelines put in place by the Fell Running Association and running with a group if you don't have the experience or knowledge required to run solo.
If you do want to go fell running solo there are a few steps you can take to ensure that you have a safe as well as fun experience. First of all, make sure you've got a map and compass packed so you don't get lost. A whistle will help you get someone attention if you need it, while food rations could also prove useful.
The other essential bit of kit are a pair of shoes that can cope with the terrain and potentially wet weather you'll be up against. Regular running shoes just won't do the job and could end up causing an injury. Brands like Inov-8 and Walsh make some of the best fell running shoes available - they have a bumpy sole for added grip that really comes in useful when you're tackling steep gradients on the descent.
There's a lot more to fell running, but much of it can only be experienced on the mountain. If going for a first time it's always better to go in a group and to make doubly sure you have everything you could need. Before long however you could find yourself tackling Ben Nevis or the Lake District all by yourself.
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