Fell Running

Jacob Vezey and John McNerney at the FRA Championships

Harrogate Harriers has seen a strong resurgence in fell-running of late, with more and more members taking to the hills and fells that surround us.  Harrogate is ideally placed for this kind of activity, with the Yorkshire Dales literally on our doorstep and the fells of Cumbria less than two hours away.  You will often find our members out on the surrounding moors of Baildon, Rombalds and Ilkley (baht ‘at or not!) and we make regular trips to The Lakes for those classic “Long Days” on the fells.

Ben Grant

We are also extremely lucky to have Ben Grant as our club fell-running representative and mentor, for those who don’t know Ben his achievement list is long and distinguished:  he is the current MV60 FRA British Champion and MV55/60 English Champion, a title he has held for three consecutive years.  He also won the World MV55 Mountain Running championship at Sauze d’ Oulx in Italy in 2004, so it’s fair to say we have a good resource in the club for advice!

Our coach Ian Rowbotham is also an accomplished and highly-regarded fell-runner, with many race victories under his belt.  He recently placed very highly in the BOFRA championship, winning his age category outright.   We have other members (first and second claim) who have amassed years of fell-running experience (to say nothing of huge success), the overall message being that if you are at all interested in taking your off-road running to the next, infinitely more exciting level, then Harrogate Harriers has something to offer you.

For 2013, our members will be contesting a lot of the local fell races and LDWA events, as well as heading to Cumbria to compete in the Lakeland Classics.   Please get in touch with me at webmaster@harrogate-harriers.co.uk and I will be sure to pass on your interest to Ben and Ian.

 Harrogate Harriers Fell Runner of the Year Recepients are;

  • 2012: MARTYN PRICE
  • 2011: BEN GRANT
  • 2010: BEN GRANT
  • 2009: BEN GRANT
  • 2008: BEN GRANT
  • 2007: JONATHAN WHITAKER
  • 2006: BEN GRANT
  • 2005: BEN GRANT