Athletics & Running Sports Section

British Police Fell Race 2005

Tebay, Cumbria

Tuesday, 17 May 2005 - Starting at 1 pm

The 2005 event was hosted by Lancashire Constabulary Athletics Section. The race started and finished in Tebay. The route was around 11 miles distance and traverse the northern Howgill Fells.

Coordinates for the race:

Start: 619044 Tebay - Over Cattle Grid onto fell - 205m
CP 1: 638014 Rispa Pike - 474m - 2.0 miles
CP 2: 641000 Uldale Head - 534m - 3.8 miles
CP 3: 647998 Blakethwaite Stone - 401m - 4.3 miles
CP 4: 646981 Fell Head - 623m - 5.6 miles
CP 5: 639976 Whin's End - 384m - 6.1 miles
CP 6: 637985 Linghaw - 500m - 7.0 miles
CP 7: 627997 Carlingill stream jnc - 180m - 8.0 miles
CP 8: 624004 Blease Fell - 474m - 8.5 miles
Finish: 619044 Tebay - Over Cattle Grid onto fell - 205m - 11.0 miles

Total ascent: 990m = 3200 feet

Map: Outdoor Leisure 19 - Howgill Fells or the Harvey Map series - Howgills.

Course description: A testing course with some steep ascents and descents - not for the faint hearted. Fairly easy on navigation but map and compass needed if visibility is poor - mainly on grassy fell/track - no roads.

Entry Fee: £15 - Paid by force sports club

Directions: Exit Junction 38 M6. Tebay village is just off the motorway junction.

Parking: At the Cross keys pub car park or around the village. One or two side roads to park. The start is up a side road onto the fell just off the village recreation field. Meal at the Cross Keys, Tebay.

Kit requirement: Map, compass, whistle, cagoule and over-trousers must be carried.

Race Report - By course organiser PC Steven Broadbent

Lancashire Constabulary Athletics Section volunteered to organise the 2005 British Police Fell Race course.  I live in the neighbouring force area, Cumbria at the foot of the Howgill Fells. I thought it appropriate to stage this event over these somewhat 'forgotten' hills.

The highest of the Howgills stand at just over 2000 feet, Fell Head being the highest summit on the course. The range I picked tower elegantly above the M6 motorway and I am sure those travelling north on the M6 toward Scotland will often look across right and marvel at these 'elephant skin' like rolling hills.

Today, the Howgills were blessed with fine, dry and sunny weather. I started the day at 7.30 am running around the 11 mile course to place the check point markers. I had already run the course two days earlier to double check the coordinates, so my legs were a little tired.

As I climbed the last hill, Blease Fell, it was fairly apparent to me that I had set a rather 'mean' course. Having said this, I have to say it is a real 'fellrunners' course with everything on offer. Some gradual ascents and descents and some very steep ones to compliment. River crossings, grassy traverses, few rocks and plenty of very runnable, dry grassy slopes.

I completed the course in just over three hours arriving back in Tebay at 11 am to meet Ian Campbell, the race organiser.  Within minutes the first competitors began to arrive, congregating at the Cross Keys Inn. We had a total of 89 entries with 70 taking part on the day. These runners represented 15 British police forces. An excellent turnout.

The race started on time with conditions still being warm and sunny with broken cloud. The field soon spread out with Cheshire's Malcolm Fowler maintaining the lead throughout the race finishing the eleven mile course in 1.30.37. His younger Cheshire colleague, Ian Weatherill took advantage of Malcolm's form and good navigational skills but was unable to take a lead, finishing third to West Yorkshire's Jonathan Wright.

Derbyshire's Christine Howard was first lady and overall sixth place finishing in a tremendous 1.41, only eleven minutes behind Malcolm Fowler.

The bulk of the field all finished this gruelling 3200 foot ascent course in under 2 hours 30 minutes.

I, acting as sweep (and completing my second lap of the day) and my faithful border collie, Cassie, followed the last runner home in 3.30, nicely timed for the presentation and a welcome hot meal at the Cross Keys Inn, Tebay.

Despite three check-point markers going AWOL during the race, the 2005 British Police Fell Race went tremendously well. There were only two retirements. This was a record number of finishers for some years and the only injuries reported were very sore calves!

Lancashire Results (In bold type)

Third in 2004, Lancashire were placed 4th this year with Mike Riley (Central) having a tremendous run being placed 5th overall. Ian Pudge (Pennine) a good race and was 2nd home with Veteran 50+ Phil Corris being our third counter flying home in just over two hours.

Final Results