Fell running is a distinctly British thing. Fell running originated in northern England, running in the rugged hills or ‘fells’. Climbs and descents are an integral part of fell running. Fell running is related to cross country, but fell running is distinct from the XC we know–fell running climbs and descents are going to be more challenging, trails may or may not exist, more navigational skills are required of fell runners.
Have you watched the Dark Peak Fell Runners video? No? Go watch it now! We will wait.
… … … …
Oh, are you back? What did you think of that video? Great, right? Oh, you are a little scared about what is going to come next?
Don’t be too afraid but…you have been invited to a founding member of the Monta Vista Fell Runners!
We have an event, a place to stay, and some professional guidance. Let’s get you up to speed in the form of a Q&A:
- What are the Monta Vista Fell Runners? For now, it’s a very loosely associated group of MVXC alumni (and some friends) that are going to have one first goal–compete as a team at the 2023 Grindleford Fell Race. At the Grindleford race, we can talk about the long term goals of MVFR–do we want to compete in other races, relays, road races? Up to you! The complete MVFR mission is currently undefined. You can help create what we become!
- Wait, what…there is a race already picked out? Yes! The Grindleford Fell Race. Grindleford is a delightful village in Derbyshire, the East Midlands of England. (“Grindleford” also sounds very Harry Potter which I like.) The village has about 900 people living there, and every June they have a weeklong carnival featuring what looks like some pretty fun and often quirky events. The highlight of the carnival, from our perspective, is the Grindleford Fell Race.
- Oh my goodness…I just watched the Dark Peak video…we are all going to die, aren’t we? No! The Grindleford is a 4.5 mile race…with some serious climbing…and a river crossing. A good introduction to fell racing! Our fell running advisor, Tom Saville, says that the world of fell racing can be a minefield but this race is a solid introduction for athletes new to the sport. Here is a Strava map of the race. Here is a 2019 race report which has some nice photos. I found some drone video of the start that is kind of exciting and gives you a feel for the countryside. And this is really pretty neat if you want an idea of the race that awaits us…this runner, Paul, put a camera on his head and ran the race. He edited the race down to less than 10 minutes giving an video overview of the entire race from check in to finish! This looks like a solid race. There is also team scoring 🙂
- We have an advisor? Well, yes! Let’s back up. After I watched the Dark Peak Fell Runners video for the 4th or 5th time, I started dreaming about going back in time until I was 25 or so, move to Sheffield, and join DPFR–I wanted to hang with that crowd, run in the fells, and go to the pub with this crew after. One thing lead to another, and I’m now in touch with Tom Saville, who is the men’s team captain of DPFR. (This does sound like something Coach Flatow would do.) Tom has agreed to help us plan our trip, and he is getting the DPFR team excited about hosting us too…Tom is going to help me arrange to join the DPFR runners on a training run during the week, he’s going to arrange for some famous fell runners to come have dinner with us and talk with us (the word “famous” is used loosely as fell running is very niche, but still). Tom’s help is going to be huge–we are going to meet some serious fell runners, and his help picking a race probably helped us avoid some landmines. Tom seems like a great guy!
- Ok, but where are we going to stay? I’ve reserved a cottage in a nearby village that will sleep 20 of us. Picture yourself and your teammates here for a week!
- Oh my, you have a place to stay for us! This sounds serious. Is this really going to happen? I’m dead serious! Mrs. Flatow and I are going to be going to Grindleford even if there is only one of you racing. Life is too short to put things off. I’m doing this. Join me!
- I’m almost there…can you give me some details? Yes! Grab a pen…no, wait, you don’t have to copy down the internet. The race date is Thursday, June 15, 2023. I have the cottage reserved starting June 9. What I suggest is that you think about arriving from the United States on the weekend of June 9-11. Plan on spending the early part of the week running, exploring the local towns, castles and parks, checking out the local cafes and pubs, and hanging out with your teammates and your coach. Race on Thursday, which is kind of nice…then I’d suggest you can either hang with all of us through the weekend (I have the cottage for two weeks) and head home directly, or if you are able to extend your trip, you could head on to London or Edinburgh or wherever by car or train with other MVFR athletes or meet other non-running friends for more vacation.
- OK I have to ask…what is this going to cost? If you get to the cottage, I’ll pay for just about everything while you are there. I’ve got the cost of the cottage, and for any meals where I’m with you I am going to grab the check. I’ve got the meet entries (I’ve been talking to the Grindleford village council and they are going to guarantee entries for us even if it sells out, and they are excited to meet you too!). When you go off exploring on your own–and I want you to explore the area, it’s lovely–that’s on you whatever you decide. But basically, if you get yourself to the cottage I’ve got you. (There is bus service that is very close to the cottage so you have access to public transport. But some of you might want to get together and rent a car if you want to explore further afield and have more flexibility to poke around. Rental cars are not cheap in England but you are not paying for anything else, so if you get together with a couple others and split the cost it might not be too bad.)
- Can I bring a friend? Only if I was invited to the wedding! The answer is generally no… this week is about us and our relationships with each other. It’s an MV week! (There are a couple of Hop girls that did not go to MV who have called me “coach” for years now and that has kind of became part of my heart and I’m going to invite them, but other than that, it’s all MV.) What I’d suggest if you have someone you want to spend time with, have them meet you in London on Saturday the 16th of June (remember this is 2023) and start your holiday with them. As we get a feel for how many of you want to join us, I will broaden my net of invites…I do want to fill up the cottage with MVFR.
- Wait, is there going to be gear? Oh, man, do you know Coach Flatow or not? If you think you want to this…send an email to Coach Flatow soon. In that email talk about how likely it is that you can make this trip, concerns and questions (I know it’s early, lots of things can happen, we know that making plans 13 days out is hard these days so 13 months is nuts but…I want to get a feel for how likely it is you are going to join the Monta Vista Fell Runners!). I also want all your contact information: Cell phone, snail mail address, email. And your preferred gear sizes (jacket, sweatshirt, t-shirt, singlet, shorts). Then look for a training tee in your mailbox at some point. We are going to be DECKED OUT when we roll into Grindleford!
- Do we have a mascot? I’m thinking Bart the Blockhound.
Summary Information:
- Race Date is Thursday, June 15, 2023
- Location is Grindleford, England (we are staying at a nearby village, Ashford-in-the-Water)
- Once you get yourself to our cottage, you don’t have to pay for anything (well, you don’t get an allowance, but if you are around coach for a meal he is grabbing the check)
- Invited MV guests only (no girlfriends-boyfriends please, you can arrange to meet them afterwards in London or wherever)
- There will be gear!
