It’s almost that time of year again for the famous Ventnor Fell Running Series. Oragnisers are keen to recruit more stewards, read on if you can help or want to take part. Ed
The Sixteenth Isle of Wight Fell Running Series will be held on the weekend of 18/19 September and consists of three races held over two days with the runners covering 24 miles of off road running with over 4300 feet of ascent.
This year we’re heading for record entries again. The races will host the SEAA Fell Running Championships for the twelfth year.
Whilst we have no proper ‘fell’ terrain on the Island the races meet the FRA classifications for ascent and distance and the hills around Ventnor have some of the steepest climbs and descents around.
The races
Race one, the St. Boniface Fell is held on the Saturday morning and consists of a straight dash from the seafront at Ventnor to the top of St. Boniface and back down, the runners covering three miles and 776 feet of ascent.
It’s then all too short a gap to race two, The Ventnor Horseshoe, held on Saturday afternoon.
The runners again start at the seafront and ascend St. Boniface before descending to Wroxall, through to Cooks Castle and then the railway line before the long ascent to St. Martins Down, Luccombe Down before returning via a descent of St. Boniface. The runners cover eight miles here with 1600 feet of ascent.
Sunday morning sees quite a few stiff runners lining up for the Wroxall Round, the longest with the runners covering 13 miles and 2000 feet of ascent.
The race starts off relatively flat through La Falaise Park before ascending to Watcombe Bottom and Stenbury Down. It’s then a steep descent to Stenbury Manor Farm before another ascent to Gat Cliff, Freemantle Gate. Then through to the Donkey Sanctuary and the railway line before another long ascent to St. Martins Down and Luccombe Down before the descent of St. Boniface to the finish.
Please get involved
These events would be impossible to stage without local support and marshals and help is always appreciated.
If anyone is interested in helping to marshal the Ventnor Fell series races over the above weekend please contact Chris Lewis on 857339, 07812 658 393 or e-mail [email protected].
Take part in the races
If you would like information or an entry form for any Ryde Harriers Open Road Races or the Fell Running Series for next year see the Ryde Harriers Website.
