The first fell race was conceived by Ian Rooke, Dave Bayliss and Pete Bland as a race for the adults at the country fair, where the childrens sports were already popular. (See fair page for history). Just a handful of runners took part in the first race, but over the next couple of years, they honed the route and the race emerged in its current form in 1985. This is considered the first Official race and it has been run annually since then.
This race helped to raise funds for the new Village Hall, then under construction. Runners were registered in the porch of the new hall – the only part that could be used at the time! The hall was completed during the year following.
Ian Rooke was the race organiser every year up to 2003 when John Dickinson took over to allow Ian and Liz a holiday in May for the first time in almost 20 years!
The winner of the race receives the Sheepskin Warehouse Challenge Trophy, donated by Mark Birkbeck of Jumpers Ltd.
The second place runner receives the Will Ramsbotham Memorial Cup. Will was sadly killed in a climbing accident 2 weeks after coming second in the race in 1993. This obituary appeared in the Fellrunner in October 93.
Pete Bland was involved in the birth of the race and has supported and sponsored the race ever since. Pete Bland Sports supplies the numbers for all the runners and contributes to the prizes.
The junior races started in 1993 when a national race lost its venue and the Hutton Roof was able to supply a course. This has since continued. with classes for under 8 (Min age 6), under 10, under 12 under 14, under 16 and under 18s now being offered.
Click on a button to see photos and records from our Fell Race archives.