Tebay Fell Race - Final Details

Thank you for entering the Tebay Fell Race on Saturday 12th July. 

Full information for the race can be found on the website, Please read carefully before the race.: https://www.helmhill.co.uk/index.php/races/tebay-fell-race

The most important points:

• Once you have registered and have your number and SI card, you are considered in the race. Before you leave Tebay, whether you have completed the race or not, you must report to the finish, and then to registration to download and return your SI card. Failure to do so will result in a search and report to the FRA.

• If retiring mid-race, please try your best to inform a marshal before reporting to the finish and to registration to downloading/return your SI card.

• After finishing, you must go to Registration to download and hand back your SI card. Please do this promptly after finishing, as this is an important safety check.
• The carrying of full FRA kit is mandatory (waterproof jacket with hood; waterproof trousers, hat (buff OK), gloves, whistle, Compass, map of race route, emergency food). There will be random kit checks before and after the races. Failure to carry all kit will result in disqualification. FRA rules will be followed for the running of the race. Whilst the weather will be warm, a breeze on the fell will chill an incapacitated runner, so carrying the stipulated kit is sensible, as well as The Rules. 

• THE FORECAST IS FOR WARM WEATHER. It is down to runners to take precautions to ensure against sunstroke etc. Please ensure you are sufficiently and sensibly hydrated prior to the race. We suggest sunscreen, hats and carrying of water (at least an empty bottle etc. to dip as you go). Bring plenty of water for after. The route crosses 4 decent becks that are currently quite full, though sheep/horses/cows linger around the one before Rispa Pike. There will be water at the finish and some will be taken onto the fell. There is minimal shade on the course, but some in the finish field.

• Information on Getting Too Hot (aka Hyperthermia) can be found here: https://files.fellrunner.org.uk/documents/2021/hyperthermia_leaflet_2021.pdf

Runners must carry a minimum of 500 mL of water.

After discussion with the FRA, they recommend runners carry waterproof bottoms, but athletes can use their discretion on carrying them. This is to free up more space in bags to carry water. All other FRA kit (waterproof top with hood, gloves, hat (sun hat will count), whistle, map of course, compass, emergency food) must be carried. There will be random kit checks before and after the race. Failure to carry all this and water (500mL at start; water carrying capacity at end) will result in disqualification.

Hydration starts in the 36 hours before a race. Ensure you also keep your salt/electrolyte levels topped up - be careful not to over-hydrate. Wear a hat and suncream. Poor Preparation Precedes Piss Poor Performance. 

Local farmers will take water onto the hills. Marshalls will have some water, spray bottles and instant ice. However do not rely on this - it may have been used up by the time you arrive. There will be a paddling pool for dunking at the finish. Cold showers are available in the toilet block behind registration if you need to cool down.

The Senior race route crosses 4 becks that are well charged after recent rain. We recommend you fill up water and dunk your hat/yourself. Take drinking water from upstream of dunkers! 

I would like to reiterate the Fell Running ethos of self sufficiency in all conditions. Dealing with the prevailing conditions is part of the sport. The race organisation have put mitigations for the heat in place, but it is up to athletes to make the decision to race in the conditions, and to race sensibly. Please read the FRA Hyperthermia leaflet for information on how to deal with the heat: https://files.fellrunner.org.uk/documents/2021/hyperthermia_leaflet_2021.pdf

Many of you will remember the hot 2021 Alderman’s Ascent champs race. Those who moderated their race effort and took precautions (e.g. carried water, wore hats) fared better than those who didn’t. This was a 5 mile race and resulted in A&E visits for some runners. Tebay is 8+ miles.

Medical advice is to treat those suffering from heat stroke with the same intensity of response as someone suffering a cardiac arrest - note the severity and speed at which heat stroke can take effect and turn bad.

Marshals have been briefed on the early signs of heat stroke (confusion and feeling hot). If runners raise concern, marshals are empowered to stop runners to soak and shade them. Mountain Rescue will be on the hill to respond quickly, if required.

Numbers are still to be displayed on the front of your torso (for marshals, spotting numbers on shorts is very difficult - legs move a lot - especially with the numbers of a champs race). If you remove your top, ensure you take the time to show your number clearly to marshals at CPs 2, 3 and 4. This is an important safety check. There are dibber points at all 4 CPs and the end.

Race sensibly and make good decisions - I understand that the red mist descends in championship races, but performance, position, points and prizes are most likely if you finish in a good state. 

• Wear a hat and sunscream. 

• Start sensibly. 

• Take a few seconds to make informed decisions.

• Take on water and salts/electrolytes

• Dunk yourself

• Look after yourself and others.

General information:

• Map of car parking, registration, toilets etc. is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/152RLHMTbRjsvh-1jgNASH9KdmKfdw4LY/view?usp=sharing

• Car parking opens from 09:30 and is in the J38 truck stop, entrance north of the roundabout as you leave the M6/have passed through Tebay village. Use the right/north entrance as indicated by marshals. Please car share. Car parking is free. DO NOT park in the village or at The Club.

• Senior registration opens from 11:00 and closes 13:15 for women, 14:00 for men. Located in the Tebay Railway Sports and Social club, a 10 minute walk from the car park (route will be taped - please be aware of road crossing at the round about).

• Start and finish is in the recreation field, between the car park and registration.

• Toilets will be available at the recycling point above the start field (Portaloos), and the toilet block outside registration. Do not use the toilets in the Club.

• Women start at 13:30. Men start at 14:15. Start-line briefing 5 minutes before each start. The large gap between races is to mitigate against bottlenecks on the narrowest section of the course on the traverse between CP2 and 3. However there will be some crossover between the races elsewhere.

• Cut-offs at CP1 Rispa Pike (~50mins after start) and CP3 Linghaw (~1h35 after start) are in place to best ensure everyone is home by 17:30. They will only be relaxed if the weather is nice and marshals comfortable.

• The senior race route is not flagged. You may come across flags from the junior races. Following these may not be worth your while.

• Failure to return your SI card will result in a £30 fine from SportIdent (broken cards £15).

• Prize giving as close to 16:45 as possible, outside Registration (inside if wet!)

• There is a time bounty of £100 for first man under 1:09:44, and first woman under 1:25:00. Rationale for these times is on the website.

• Food & drink van and Tebay School charity cake stall on the field. Cross Keys and The Club will be open for post-race refreshment.

• Live results will be available here: https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/FRA-English/2025/Tebay/ Live championship tables updates will be available by scanning the QR code on your download print-out.

Key event timings

• Car Park opens: 09:30

• Junior Registration opens: 09:30

• Junior races: Starts from 11:00-12:15ish

• Senior Registration opens: 11:00

• Senior Registration closes (women): 13:15

• Women’s race briefing (on start line): 13:25

• Women’s race starts: 13:30

• Senior Registration closes (men): 14:00

• Men’s race briefing (on start line): 14:10

• Men’s race starts: 14:15

• First finishers (women): From 14:51

• First finishers (men): From 15:19

• Prize giving at Registration: From 16:45

• Everyone accounted for and RO in the bar: ~17:30

Many thanks to all helpers, Tebay villagers and groups (especially Gary Murphy, Tebay ground fixer), Helm Hill Runners (especially Michael Ainsworth coordinating the Junior races), Pete Bland Sports and Kirkby Stephen MRT. All profits go to local groups/clubs, charities, and to support the race in future.

I hope you all have a good run. The course is currently running a bit wet, but is a fantastic physical and tactical challenge. It should make a great race!

Nic Barber (RO)

[email protected]