The SEAA Fell Racing Championships 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 running ridiculously fast – pace ranges from sub 6 minute miles to well over 10, so it caters for pretty much everyone, but race 3 is an extremely hilly half marathon, so you should have prepared accordingly if you wish to enter this stage. Over the past few years Serpentine has enjoyed considerable success in both the individual and team competitions.

The race format is:

• Race 1 – St Boniface 3 miles 775ft ascent @ 11.00am on Sat 14 Sept
• Race 2 – Ventnor Horseshoe 7 miles 1500 ft ascent @ 3.00pm on Sat 14 Sept
• Race 3 – Wroxall 13 miles 1500 ft ascent @ 10.30am on Sun 15 Sept

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 prizes are on the line.

Travel and accommodation

We get the train down from London on the Friday night with a ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Ryde and then get a taxi transfer to Ventnor. After Sunday’s race and prize giving, we travel back to London by coach, ferry & train, arriving back on Sunday evening.

Accommodation is on a B&B basis and will cost around £50 – £60 per person per night, although the main hotel we have used for the past few years has closed down, so we will be spread over more than one hotel this year. Currently we have rooms in the Eversley, which we have stayed in before and the Lake, which is in Bonchurch (about 1.1 miles away from the esplanade in Ventnor).

How much will it cost?

Approx. £120 for travel and accommodation (note that the travel is heavily subsidised by Serpentine, you only pay £10 per person for all of the transport). To sign up, you will need to pay £75 as a deposit payable on registration, with the balance payable upon arrival at hotel.

£6 per race or £15 for all three races entry free (payable directly to Ryde Harriers at: register here.

Places are initially limited to 34, but if there is enough interest and we can find more rooms available, more places will be added. Please note however that there is no guarantee that we can find more rooms in other hotels/B&Bs, plus if we do, they may cost a little more per person per night. There are a few single rooms available at the Eversley at about £50-£70 a night – if you would like a single, please email us after paying your deposit so we know.

You will also need to enter the races. You can enter in advance (see