Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race

The Bowels of Fleetwith 5km and 10km Trail Races are not your average trail or fell races. They combine breathtaking mountain scenery with a thrilling underground journey through old mine tunnels. The routes will be fully flagged and marshals to direct you underground and on the open fell, so there is no requirement for navigation or map or compass!

THE START:
5km & 10km: Start your race with helmet and headtorch to embrace the underground magic, with a half-mile uphill sprint leading into the underground mine entrance. 

UNDERGROUND:

This isn’t your typical fell or trail race—it’s a journey through 700m of winding tunnels, steep inclines, mining ladders and vast chambers, a route carefully designed by the Honister team to create an experience like no other. What makes it truly special? This is the only trail race in the UK that takes you inside a mountain, combining underground adventure with high-altitude summits for a challenge you won’t find anywhere else.
As you navigate the mines, you’ll encounter twists, turns, and challenges that will test your endurance and courage. But don’t worry, the route is carefully crafted to ensure safety while offering a thrilling experience beyond comparison.

FROM THE DEPTHS TO THE SUMMIT:

5km

Once you’ve completed the underground section of your race, it’s time to leave the mine 100 metres above where you entered it, and head out into the open air. As you emerge halfway up Fleetwith Pike, you’ll remove your helmet and headtorch before continuing the race to the top of Grey Knotts (697m) before descending back to the iconic tramway and the steep and rocky descent to your welcoming finish at the Honister Slate Mines. 
This race isn’t for the faint of heart, its technical underfoot, with steep ascents and descents, but it promises to be one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll ever have!

10km

Exit the mines onto the quarry road, with an extra 5km loop down to the visitor centre, and a short sharp ascent back up and onto Fleetwith Pike, you then rejoining the 5km route onto Grey Knotts. Let yourself go on the sharp descent before flying over the finish line. 

Event Schedule:
09:00 - Car Park opens
09:00 - Honister Slate Mines Cafe  opens for brews and breakfasts
09:30 - Registration opens
11:00 - Registration closes
11:20 - 5km & 10km prepare for race start & briefing
11:30 - 5km & 10km RACE START
14:00 - Prize Giving

There will be prizes for:
1st, 2nd 3rd Female and Male (10km & 5km)
Vet50 Male & Female (10km & 5km)

Race Rules:
Following The Specific Race Route: We require you to be in sight of a red flag or arrow board or marshal at all times during the event, this way you will not stray off the route and therefore there will be no requirement of a map or compass. 

Minimum Kit Requirements: 
Waterproof top and bottom, hat and gloves, for emergency use should you fall. This is standard kit, and can be very lightweight and minimal, but essential for any mountain, fell or trail races, even on a hot day we will require you to carry this kit, as you will be heading up onto a summit of nearly 700m! We will spot check finishers for carrying kit, if you are found to have disposed of required kit to you car before the start, you will be disqualified from the race timings. Please be assured this is for your safety on the fell… things happen quickly if you injure yourself. 

Open to anyone aged 16 and over but U18's must be accompanied by a responsible adult

Big thanks to our sponsors: Berghaus and VOOM Nutrition, and supporting organisers from Hiking Highs, teaming up to make this unique event happen for you!