The SEAA Fell Racing Champonships are 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 17th (AS)
Race 2 – Ventnor Horseshoe 7 miles 1500 ft ascent @ 3.00pm on the 17th (BM)
Race 3 – Wroxall 13 miles 1500 ft ascent @ 10.30am on the 18th (CL)

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 coach, 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!!

Please sign-up on Entry Central if you'd like to go. Places are initially limited to 35 as that's all the beds we have booked in the hotel, but if there is enough interest we will attempt to get more beds in other hotels.

Register here

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?

Further info and link to Entry Central to sign-up here.
http://www.serpentine.org.uk/pages/race_seaa_fell.html

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

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

Andy Robbins
iow_fellraces@serpentine.org.uk