An Introduction to Fell Running with David Taylor

Interview by Conan Marshall

2 min read

Traditionally a Northern British sport, fell running is all about climbing rugged hills, descending steep gradients and navigating through pathless upland terrain.

David Taylor is a running coach and guide, he offers skills development and knowledge to those interested in reaching their best potential at trail and fell running. In this Q&A, David shares his experiences in fell running and advice to those who are interested in running off-road for the first time.

It seems like fell running is especially popular in the North of England, could you recommend some of your favourite running locations?

​I live close to the Peak District so do most of my running there. I'm lucky in that I can run from my doorstep and easily get to some good, challenging terrain. The Peak District has some great places to run that are easily accessible by car or train, for example Hathersage, Hope, Castleton and Edale.

The Lake District​ which is the traditional home of fell running has lots of races to try and places to run. Keswick is a great starting point.

North Wales, particularly Snowdonia has lots to offer too but for me the Scottish mountains have to be favourite (as long as the weather is fine!)

I saw that you’re the 2015 V50 English Fell Running Champion, what was the experience like to achieve that?

Obviously I was proud to win the Championship, I trained hard for it so was happy with the year's results. However, fell running is a very low key sport - there's no fame or big prizes so nothing changed in that respect! You just get a medal at the end of the season and your name in the records, but in a way that's one of the attractions of the sport.

If you had to summarise fell running in three words what would they be?

Hard but rewarding.

Running up steep hills is never going to be easy but the rewards are well worth it; beautiful scenery, fresh air, peace and quiet, a sense of achievement and of course the fitness benefits that go with it. 

Iconic fell running events include the Bob Graham and Charlie Ramsay rounds. What is the toughest race you have competed in?

Psychologically the Charlie Ramsay Round was the hardest as I did most of it unsupported. It's not a race as such but a set route that you aim to complete in under 24 hours. Traditionally you have people with you who carry your equipment, feed you and navigate for you but I ended up doing it mainly on my own. The overnight section was the toughest mentally.

Physically I didn't find it as hard as some of the long fell races like Wasdale or Ennerdale because in these you are working a lot harder for over 4 hours. I've also done a couple of long winter fell races in really bad weather which weren't much fun at the time!

Skills in navigation, negotiating desents and safety training are qualities needed to be good at mountain running. What qualities do you think are needed to be a good fell runner?

You need to be a good all-rounder. To run in the mountains safely you need to have good navigation skills and to be confident and able to look after yourself in all weather conditions.

As for running, being a good road runner doesn't necessarily translate. You need to be strong on the uphills but just as importantly skilful on the steep and rough downhill sections. You need to be patient and consistent in your training, you can't hope to become good overnight.

What is the number 1 piece of coaching advice you would give to someone who is getting interested in running off the tarmac and in the mountains/trails?  

Vary your training. Don't run at the same effort over the same type of terrain all the time. Include both ends of the spectrum with really easy, long slow runs in the mountains but also really short, very hard hill repeats

David Taylor can be found at www.fellrunningguide.co.uk