Police Sport UK Athletics Section - British Police Fell Race Championships 2025

Well, what can I say! What a fantastic day was had. I am still reeling back from what was a pretty stressful event given the number of participants this year. We had around 140 actual entries with 121 running on the day. 28 UK Police Forces were represented. I also had 22 marshals and helpers assisting me on the day.

Blessed with great sunny weather, the conditions for running were fairly perfect, allowing some absolutely stunning views of the Lakes.

The low flying aircraft also added to the event and a big thank you to the RAF for proving this added display!

Loads of photographs have been posted on the Facebook Group. Please consider joining:

Rob Sparks (Humberside) and Nichola Jackson (Cumbria) put in phenomenal performances. Rob and Nicola sped around the amazing 8 mile course in 1.18 with Nichola only seven minutes behind him in 2^nd place.

Jack Pilkington (Cheshire) was 3^rd crossing the finish in 88 minutes. Jack ran a 2.35 in London the previous week, so well done to Jack. Some fantastic performances from everyone else with all 121 finishing the course safe and well under the four-hour time limit.

The Men’s Cheshire Team were triumphant in winning the Team with Cumbria 2^nd and Derbyshire 3^rd.

Lancashire Ladies held on to their winning team position from 2024, with Cheshire 2^nd and South Yorkshire 3^rd.

Marshals and Helpers

I could not have staged this event without the valued support of over 20 helpers from various Forces including a small team of personal friends who I drafted in last minute due to the increasing number of competitors. They are all individually named in the results.

Well done to the checkpoint marshals and sweep team who all went onto the mountain for several hours. The Base team also did a cracking job, coordinating kit checks, registration and car parking. A special thank you to Jane Robinson who was my PA announcer at the finish making for some great light hearted banter as the runners finished.

A big thank you to Richard Mavin who has been my main Cumbria Force lead throughout the process and been very helpful and supportive.

Thank you to Ian Campbell (Retired PSUK) for presenting the prizes. Ian was the co-founder of this event with myself and Martin Harbridge back in 1990.

Thanks also a big thank-you to Steve Gaskell, the farmer of Thirlspot Farm, who was a great host allowing us to stage the race base on his land. Also Peter from the Kings Head Inn for providing toilets and hospitality for our runners and marshals.

Finally a special thank you to my lovely wife Catherine who sadly could not attend and help on the day due to work commitments but this said, Catherine has provided exceptional support to myself in the weeks leading up to the event!

I have decided this is my final British Police Fell Race as a coordinator. I was involved in the race from its inception 36 years ago and I have been hands on coordinating for some 20 years. It is now time to hand over the reins!

I am therefore looking for a new coordinator to take on the complete event model as well as organise a 2026 fell course, maybe in the County where they live. The volunteer has two options:

1. Coordinate the Event Administration, year on year, identifying a different Force to assist with the course each year (As I have done)

2. Coordinate the Event Administration for just 2026 and also Coordinate the course, then pass on the complete model to another new Force coordinator in 2027. (Like our PSUK Events operate)

There are many key things already set-up that can be handed over – Bookitzone entry portal, PSUK Website, Facebook had nearly 300 members.

Please contact me if you are interested? If there are no volunteers to take on either option 1 or 2 then the event will sadly have to end.

On this note I bid everyone farewell as the coordinator, and thank you to everyone who has supported this fantastic event over the years. I have made countless friends who I still look forward to seeing and hopefully to compete alongside in 2026!

Route with controlled Check-points

Start - Behind King's Head Inn - Thirspot

Browncove Crags

CP 1 - Helvellyn Cross Shelter (Marshalled)

Helvellyn Lower Man - Path Fork (Marshalled)

Whiteside

CP 2 - Raise (Marshalled)

Stybarrow Dodd - West Lower Summit

CP 3 - Stybarrow Dodd Summit (Marshalled)

CP 4 - Path Junction Stannah (Marshalled)

Finish - In front of King's Head Inn

The route will be flagged throughout. This is considered the safest route option, predominantly over footpaths and taking you over each summit that will assist with navigation.

CP's 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be marshalled. All CP's must be visited. A control card will be attached to your map provided. This will be checked at the finish.

This is the 35th annual British Police Fell Race. The event is not an official Police Sport UK event. However, it is approved by PSUK Athletics as an additional calendar fixture and liability insurance cover is also provided under the PSUK policy.

A big thank you to members of Lancashire, CNC, Cumbria, Nottinghamshire and Greater Manchester Police Clubs who have kindly offered to assist with a number of marshalling, flagging and sweep duties. The event could not go ahead without their valued support!

The distance will be circa 8 miles and 3500 feet ascent. It will traversing Helvellyn - Whiteside - Raise and Stybarrow Dodd Summits

This area is popular as it passes by the Striding and Swirral Edges with magnificent views over Thirlmere to the West and Ullswater Lakes to the East.

As usual, there is no official accommodation provided. Competitors are asked to make their own arrangements. There is camping at the farm at the venue. Bed and Breakfast and hotel accommodation can be found in the area by visiting on-line tourist information.

There are toilets provided at the Kings Head Inn. There are no competitor changing or showers provided.

A map is displayed on the website and shows a proposed route. There may be some changes once we have fully recced the area. Any updates will be notified including checkpoints.

The course is circa 8 miles and 3500 feet ascent. It traverses Helvellyn and the ridge toward Whiteside, Raise and Stybarrow Dodd summits. Fairly easy to navigate in good weather but in poor conditions be prepared to navigate! It is a very scenic course but has circa 3500 feet ascent so it is a fairly tough, demanding, eight-mile course.

A printed map will be provided. The course is considered as a fairly tough, rugged fell terrain. It will be fully way-marked with flags. This is to ensure everyone runs the same course and does not get lost. This said, all competitors must still carry the map provided and be prepared to navigate themselves should flags go missing or in bad weather.

Sat Nav devices /mobile phones are permitted and may be used as a back-up to your given map but not relied upon to navigate.. Hard copy map provided should be carried throughout the race.

We would like to encourage novice runners to take part in these events. Though the event is traditionally a 'race' it can also be titled as a 'Challenge' and can be run/walked at a progressive pace.

The cut-off time is a generous 4 hours or 5.30pm. This would make it attractive to athletes wishing to complete the course at a steady, but progressive and continuous run/walking pace.

Note: The Prize presentation will take place around 4.00pm so likely that walkers will miss the presentation but refreshments and finishing mementos will be still available when you finish.

There is no objection to competitors completing the course together as a pair or even a group. Each member would enter individually and receive a race number and carry the same kit.

Each competitor should have navigational skills and be able to use a map and compass if required.

Compulsory kit checks will be carried out at registration so please ensure you carry the required kit as outlined above. Any required kit found missing at the end of the race will incur a 30-minute time penalty or possibly disqualification. Random kit checks will also be made at the finish.

Entry limit is now 120. Pre-entry is required, though late, EOD or substitution of an entered runner, is still an option for forces who have already entered a team before the closing date. Please note that entries received after the 120 limit or on day will be accepted but those runners may not receive a pre-ordered race memento.

Registration from 11am outside the Kings Head Inn - Pre-Race briefing at 1.15pm. The start is from the side of the Inn.

Soup and a roll will be provided at the Kings Head Inn from 3.00pm at the finish. This will be followed by a formal presentation of trophies and prizes at approximately at 4pm. You may opt out of the post-race food option when you enter.

Note: Cut-off time is 5.30pm so runners/walkers who do not finish by 4pm will still recieve a finishing memento and the light refreshments will still be available.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Open Force Male or Mixed Teams (3 to count) (Lady may be included as the 1st, 2nd or 3rd counter if not in a ladies team)

Family Runners: Are not eligible for individual or team qualification or contend for any prizes.

Late Entry or EOD - 1/5/2025 to event day - May not receive Pre-Ordered Memento

Note: This event is run by members of the police service on a voluntary basis and we do not make any profit from the event entries. Any income is reinvested into the race or following race.

We are using this usual BookitZone portal. The company are a reputable, secure, on-line booking service and the entry costs include any booking fees.

A police officer, police staff, retired police/police staff (in receipt of a police pension) or member of the special constabulary/police volunteers.

All should also be paying members of their respective police sports clubs and therefore be affiliated to Police Sport UK as such.

We now permit Spouse/Partner and Siblings (over 18) of an above defined 'police member' to participate. They compete in the same race but only as a 'Guest Familiy Member' but will not qualify for individual or team prizes.

They may be defined by a Police Sports Club as an 'Honorary Member' so could be entitled to claim their entry from the Club also.

The standard entry closing date is 1 May 2025 - From this date, late entry, EOD and substitutions are acceptable on request to forces who have already pre-entered some runners. However, entrants may not receive a Race Mememnto. Please email me to discuss. Sorry, there are no entry fee refunds but named substitutions to pre-paid entries will be allowed.

All competitors will receive a confirmation of their entry from BookitZone and ongoing briefing information will be by email and on the event webpage right through to the event.