It has to be said that this year the Fellsman weekend feels to be approaching faster than ever. Last night the committee had its last official meeting before the event (although we keep our options open about meeting again right up to the Thursday before!). Much was discussed, but as always, even with a nearly midnight finish, there always seems to be more to do and last minute hurdles to be overcome.
So on to the update (it’s a long one bear with us)…
Places Available…
When it gets to this time of year we always have people hesitating about entering assuming that the event must be full. The truth is that from mid-February onwards we receive a steady trickle of people who, due to one reason or another (dodgy knees/ankles, ill-timed family events, work committments) find they have to withdraw. As a result, this year, as most years, we still have places available and will do, up to and including the day of the event. So, if you’re considering a last minute entry be assured, there is a space for you!
A request for staff…
In the same way as we have entrants needing to withdraw, so too do we occasionally lose staff. For an event like this you can never have too many people willing to lend a hand, both out on the hills and down at Threshfield HQ. If you are unable to compete this year, or would merely like to see the event from a different perspective then we have a number of jobs available:
For anyone not able to walk long distances but able to manage a short trip up the slopes of Whernside we have need of additional marshalls to help up manage the flow of competitors up and down Whernside for the short section of the route where the Fellsman and the Three Peaks event (held the same day) overlap. This would involve being on the hill from 09:00 until 12:30 on the Saturday morning.
For those who would like to experience the exhilaration of being on a roadside checkpoint we have need for additional helpers to check entrants through the busy Hill Inn checkpoint (required from 08.45 until midday – an excellent opportunity to watch the competitors set out from Ingelton and then watch them come through the first checkpoint). For anyone who feels they would like a longer, more challenging stint on a roadside, we are also looking for additional helpers at the final Yarnbury checkpoint, checking the entrants through as they are almost in sight of home. The checkpoint operates between approximately 19:00 Saturday night and 13:30 Sunday afternoon, but anyone wanting to assist for even just a few hours would be of great help.
In addition to jobs out in the field, there are also a multitude of jobs available down at Threshfield HQ over the whole of the event. These include welcoming entrants and assisting with kit check on the Friday evening, checking entrants at the finish (final check) and helping with the catering. We would also welcome anyone who is a registered first aider who may be able to provide some relief cover for our existing first aid support (if you are interested in providing this please not that you will need to bring a copy of your current first-aid certificate).
We’ve listed here the areas where we feel additional assistance could be of most benefit but if you still want to help and have something else in mind please let us know. As we said before, on an event as extensive as the Fellsman (both in distance and time), you can never have enough help!
If you are interested in helping out please let us know by emailing us at event@fellsman.org.uk, by using the Contact form on the website, or indeed posting to this page!
Last orders for Fellsman maps – Sunday 12th April
In order to be confident that map orders can be processed and dispatched in good time for you to receive them in advance of the event, we will not be accepting any map orders after Sunday 12th April. However, maps will be available to buy on the weekend from the Threshfield shop on the Friday evening (open 19:30 to 22:30ish) and at the start at Ingleton (shop open from 07:00). There will be plenty available so there is no need to reserve.
Plea for the return of trophies…
If you were the worthy recipient of one of our excellent trophies last year and have entered this year, please can you ensure that you bring it to the event (people have forgotten in the past – some past winners have stood it on their emergency rations so they have to remember it!), and hand it in to a member of the reception staff at Threshfield on Friday night, or the check-in staff at Ingleton on Saturday morning.
If you are not attending this year and are returning the trophy by post, please can you ensure the trophy is returned to the PO Box by Thursday 23rd April at the latest. Alternatively you can return it via another entrant attending the event. If you are local to the organisers we may be able to arrange a handover meeting at a public wateringhole or some other convenient venue…
Please could all tropy winners let us know how their trophy is to be returned by emailing us at event@fellsman.org.uk or by using the Contact form.
Well, I think that just about covers it for now. There will be further updates in the days ahead counting down to the weekend so check back regularly – if there are any last minute changes regarding route information these will also be posted here in the first instance in addtion to being distributed at the event.
If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to Contact Us or if you prefer a more open forum please make use of our Facebook Fellsman Page or Fellsman Group where respectful discussion of the event is encouraged.
We would like to wish the very best with your continued training (please look after your knees!) and look forward to welcoming you on the event very soon.
The Fellsman Committee
