British Police Fell Race 2025 - Helvellyn - Cumbria

 35th British Police Fell Race Championships 2025 

_{From Thirlspot - Thirlmere - Cumbria}

Wednesday 7 May 2025 - Starting at 1.30pm

Kindly assisted by members of Cumbria Police Athletics Club

• Race History and Status

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.

• Race Hosts

The 2025 event will be kindly assisted by Simon Gray and members of Cumbria Police AC who will facilitate and organise the race course, marshalling, flagging and time-keeping.

• Race Course

The distance will be circa 8 miles and 3500 feet ascent. It will traversing Helvellyn - 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.

• Race Venue, Race Registration and Presentation Venue

From the Kings Head Inn, Thirlspot, Thirlmere, Keswick CA12 4TN

• Accommodation

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

• Directions

Sat Nav: Kings Head Inn, Thirlmere. CA12 4TN

• Parking

Ample parking at the Inn. 

• Shower and Changing Facilities

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

• Start List

A start-list will appear on the website once entries start to come in.

• Start

At 1.30pm.

• Map and Course

Distance - 8 Miles (13km)

Ascent circa 3500 ft (1100m)

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.

• Route Description

The course is circa 8 miles and 3500 feet ascent. It traverses Helvellyn and the ridge toward 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.

• Maps, Check-Points and Waymarks

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.

• Portable Sat Nav Devices

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.

• Novice Runners or Walking Challenge

We would like to encourage novice runners or walkers 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 walking pace.

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

• Competing in Pairs or a Group

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.

• Compulsory Kit Requirement

Competitors will need to carry all of the following equipment:-

1. Waterproof top and bottom body cover

2. Copy Map (Provided)

3. Compass and Whistle

4. Hat and Gloves

5. Suitable footwear for fell running

This is the kit list, irrespective of good weather.

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

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.

• Entry Field

Entry limit is circa 100. Pre-entry is required, though late, EOD or substitution is still an option for forces who have already entered a team before the closing date.

• Registration and Pre-Race Briefing

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

• Post Race Meal and Presentation of Trophies

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 3.30pm will still recieve a finishing memento and the light refreshments will still be available.

• Trophies/Prizes

Men and Women

Championship Prizes

1st, 2nd and 3rd - Open

1st, 2nd and 3rd - Veteran 40+

Age Catagory Prizes

1st and 2nd - Male and Female

18 - 40, Veteran 45-49, Vet 50-54, Vet 55-59, Vet 60-64, Vet 65-69, Vet 70-75

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)

1st, 2nd and 3rd Ladies Teams (3 to count)

NB: Under FRA Rules the Veteran age is 40+ for both men and women.

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

• British Police Fell Race Entry

Entry - to 30/04/2025

    * Including Post-Race Food - £23

    * Excluding Post-Race Food - £18

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

    * Including Post-Race Food - £28

    * Excluding Post-Race Food - £23

Additional Guests

    * Additional Food for Guests - £5.00

• What you Get

The entry fee covers the cost of:

    * Awards and prizes

    * Individual Race memento

    * Local Craft Beer memento

    * Post-Race water and snack-food

    * Post-Race Presentation Soup and Roll (if Pre-Booked)

    * General organising costs

    * All event Booking Fees

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.

• How to Enter

BookItZone Link

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.

• Qualification to Enter

This event is a 'Closed' Race.

Competitors must be fully paid 'police members' of their respective UK Force Sports Clubs and be a police officer, police staff, retired police/police staff (in receipt of a police pension) or member of the special constabulary/police volunteers.

• Family Guests Entry

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.

• Pre-Race Recognizance

There are no objections to teams or individuals reconnoitering the course.

• Closing Date

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.

• Entry Confirmation

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.

• Further Event Information

British Police Fell Race Website and Social Media

Facebook - Closed Private Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2237701033168743/

Web - PSUK Athletics - Public Page:

https://www.policesport.uk

What'sApp Group - Private Group

Your mobile will be added to a 2024 Fell Race WhatsApp Group where we can communicate and update on event information. If you wish to opt outof the Grroup simply do this on WhatsApp.

Finally....

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require any other information?

• Further information from the Organisers

Overall Coordinator: Steven Broadbent - steve@fellrunner.com - 07974 795466

Cumbria Police AC Contact: Simon Gray

•   Information about the Overall coordinator:

Secretary of the Lancashire Constabulary Athletics Club 1991 - 2023

Experienced road, trail, XC and fell runner.

Lakeland Slateman Triathlon 1993, 1994, 1995
Lakeland Slateman Three Peaks 1997, 1998
PSUK 10 Miler Road Race- 1996/2004
PSUK Cross-Country - 2019
PSUK Track and Field - 2009/2017

1993 - 2025 Organiser of NPCCL
2000 - 2025 Organiser of the British Police Fell Races

 

Event Organiser

Name: Steven Broadbent

Information about the organiser: Secretary of the Lancashire Constabulary Athletics Club 1990 - 2023

Experienced road, trail, XC and fell runner.

NPCCL Secretary 1994 - 2023
Northern Police Trail League - 2021 - 2024

Organiser of the Lakeland Slateman Triathlon 1993, 1994, 199

Link to events website: https://www.slateman.co.uk/psuk/index.htm