The heartland of British fell running. Races start from valleys and villages all across the Lakes — from Patterdale to Wasdale Head, Keswick to Langdale. Every summit, every ridge, every valley has a race. This is our home ground.
Kat has raced extensively across the Lake District fells — Coledale Horseshoe, Loopy Latrigg, Blencathra, Skiddaw, Buttermere Sailbeck, Fairfield Horseshoe and many more. Brennan has won multiple Lakeland fell races. These are our home hills.
Fell running is one of Britain's oldest athletic traditions, and the Lake District is its spiritual home. The sport involves racing over hills and mountains on unmarked terrain — open moorland, rocky ridges, boggy hollows, steep grass and boulder fields. There are no defined paths to follow. Self-navigation is part of the challenge.
Races start from car parks, village greens and remote valley heads all across the Lakes — Patterdale, Wasdale Head, Langdale, Coniston, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Keswick. There is no central hub. Every valley has its own races, its own start line, its own community of runners who know every line on every fell. The Fell Runners Association (FRA) governs English fell racing, classifying races by distance (Short, Medium, Long) and difficulty (A, B, C) — so an AL race is long and very steep, while a BS race is shorter and more moderate in its climbing demands.
The Lake District fell racing calendar is one of the richest in the world. A selection of well-loved races:
Every fell race is graded by the FRA using a two-letter system: the first letter indicates difficulty (A = most demanding, B = moderate, C = least steep), the second indicates distance (S = short under 10km, M = medium 10-20km, L = long 20km+). So:
You do not need a membership to enter most fell races — just turn up and pay on the day. The culture is one of the most welcoming in sport.
Fell racing rewards specific fell fitness — uphill power, technical descending, route knowledge. Road and trail running helps but cannot replace time on the actual fells.
Technical descending is the biggest differentiator in fell racing. Practice controlled downhill running on loose, uneven ground. This is where races are won and lost.
The best fell runners race frequently — often weekly through the season. Racing is training. Enter local races as practice before targeting your key events.
AM and longer category races often include unmarked sections. Carry a compass and know how to use it. Some races in poor visibility require genuine navigation ability.
The Lakeland Classics are a series of historic fell races that define British fell running. Unlike modern trail and ultra events, these races have been run — often in the same form — for decades. They carry tradition, community and a specific culture that is distinct from any other form of running. To complete the Lakeland Classics is to understand what fell running actually is.
Borrowdale is 17 miles and 6,000ft of ascent from Rosthwaite in the heart of the Lake District. It visits Scafell Pike — England's highest summit — and is consistently ranked among the hardest and most beautiful fell races in Britain. An AL-category race: the hardest classification. It sells out within minutes of entries opening. Running Borrowdale is a rite of passage in the fell running world.
At 21 miles and approximately 9,000ft of ascent, Wasdale contains more climbing than any other Lakeland Classic. Starting and finishing at Wasdale Head, the most remote of the Lake District valleys, it visits multiple summits including Scafell and Great Gable. This is the race that breaks runners who haven't done the specific training. The ascent per mile ratio is extreme.
Ennerdale at 23 miles and 7,000ft is the longest of the classic Lake District fell races. The route circles the remote Ennerdale valley — an area without roads on three sides — visiting the high fells above England's wildest valley. Navigation skills matter here; the route is partially unmarked and fog on the high fells is common.
The wider Lakeland Classics series includes races such as Duddon Valley, Langdale and Coniston. Each has its own character and demands. Together they form a calendar of events that serious fell runners build their season around — not one-off target races but a season-long series that rewards consistent fell fitness.
The Fell Runners Association classifies races by distance and ascent. Understanding the categories is essential for pacing your progression through fell racing — starting in the wrong category leads to either boredom or a very bad day on the fells.
The AL category is the hardest in fell racing. Borrowdale and Wasdale are AL events. These races demand specific fell running fitness, technical descending, navigation skills and the ability to move efficiently for 3-5 hours on mountain terrain. First-time fell runners should not start here.
AM races are the core of competitive fell running for most club runners. Long enough to be demanding, short enough to be approachable for runners with a solid base. Most runners spend the majority of their competitive fell running career in the AM category. Races like Coniston (shorter version) and many local classics fall here.
AS races are the entry point for new fell runners and provide excellent intensity training for more experienced runners. Shorter distances mean higher intensity — many AS races are essentially hill sprints with navigation. Perfect for first-time fell racers wanting to understand the format without committing to a full day on the mountain.
B and C category races have less specific ascent requirements than A category. C-category races are often the very first fell races for new entrants — less technical, more accessible, and a genuine introduction to the fell running community. Start here if you're new to fell racing regardless of your road or trail running background.
Fell running gear is specific and purposeful. The culture discourages over-packing and rewards carrying precisely what you need — and nothing more. Understanding the gear is part of understanding the sport.
Fell racing has a lower barrier to entry than many runners assume. You don't need to be fast, and you don't need expensive kit. What you need is a willingness to get on the fells and run with people who love them. The fell running community is one of running's most welcoming cultures.
Your first fell race should not be Borrowdale. Start with a C or B category race — shorter, less technical, more forgiving — and experience the format. Learn how fell races work, what the culture expects, and how your fell fitness compares to your trail or road fitness. Most runners are surprised how different it feels.
A fell running club provides training partners, local knowledge, and an immediate community. You don't need to be a member to race, but joining a club is the best way to learn the sport quickly. Keswick AC, Borrowdale Fell Runners, Dark Peak, Calder Valley — these clubs define fell running culture in their areas.
The FRA race calendar lists every registered fell race in Britain. Fell Runner magazine provides race reports, training advice and the community context that makes fell running more than just a sport. Both are essential resources for new fell runners.
Set your sights progressively: complete several C-category races before entering BM or BS events; build through B-category before tackling AL classics. The fell running community respects runners who progress through the categories properly — it's how the sport has always worked, and for good reason.
Brennan's Coach Note: Borrowdale is the race I point new fell runners towards as a long-term goal — not an immediate entry. The journey from your first C-category fell race to toeing the line at Borrowdale is one of the best sporting progressions in running. Townshend Performance coaching supports fell runners from their first race all the way through to the Lakeland Classics.
We build bespoke training plans and coaching packages for this race. Get in touch to discuss your preparation.
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