It's a three stage, two day event running up and down, and around, some of the Isle of Wight's finest hills and countryside. Ability level varies tremendously so don't be put off thinking everyone will be bearded whippets running ridiculously fast. The ability to complete a half marathon is all you need (if you want to do race 3 that is) – paces range from sub 6 minute miles to well over 10 so it caters for pretty much everyone.

The race format is below. You can compete in just one, two or all three events but if you want to be eligible for the SEAA & overall prizes you MUST complete all three races. Be prepared for a little peer pressure from your colleagues if team awards are on the line.

Race 1 – St Boniface 3 miles 775ft ascent @ 11.00am on the 18th
Race 2 – Ventnor Horseshoe 7 miles 1500 ft ascent @ 3.00pm on the 18th
Race 3 – Wroxall 13 miles 1500 ft ascent @ 10.30am on the 19th

Traditionally we get the train down from London on the Friday night, there is a ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Ryde & then get the tube (yes, really!) down to Ventnor. Accommodation is on a B&B basis and will cost around £45 per person per night. Hopefully, depending on numbers, everyone will be in the same hotel. You run three times over two days, so a change or two of kit is always handy to avoid upsetting your room-mate, and then we travel back again by tube, ferry & train to get back to London sometime on Sunday evening.

All the travel and accommodation is organised for you, all you have to do is enter the events in advance. The closing date for SEAA entries is normally a week before the actual weekend (remember this!!) but you can even just enter on the day. Don't worry about the FRA details – they know who we are!!

All I need from you is for you to register your interest at this point. I do need to confirm numbers with the appropriate hotel in a couple of weeks though (it gets busy on the island during September) as we will need to pay a deposit (£50 each). Therefore let's set the deadline to reply by as the 25th June. If you reply after this date I may not be able to guarantee you accommodation in the same place as the majority though. Simple really, but you need to let me know sooner rather than later if you wish to come.

Email address to reply to (off group of course) is as follows iow_fellraces@serpentine.org.uk

It's potentially one of the most enjoyable weekends on offer from Serpentine (although I may be slightly biased) – a good crowd of people, copious amounts of entertainment, stunning scenery and guaranteed good weather (Ventnor is, after all, England's version of the Costa del Sol). What more could you ask for?

For more information see the following links:

Here is an introduction to Fell-running on the Serpie website.
www.serpentine.org.uk/pages/race_mountain.html

The Spring 09 Serpentimes has Mr Attwooll's excellent write-up on the 2008 trip.
www.serpentine.org.uk/pages/serpentimes.html

The website of Ryde Harriers (the event organisers) – worth checking out anyway just to see the
results from the last three years!!
http://www.rydeharriers.co.uk/

Andy Robbins
iow_fellraces@serpentine.org.uk