2026 – HHAC Fell Championship – Races
Well! What a great series we had in 2025, with over 90 of you taking part throughout the year, so let’s have more of the same in 2026 & see if anyone can challenge our worthy champions, Paddy Needham for the Men and joint-champions, Fran Whitworth & Helen Haigh for the Ladies. Come & give the fells a go – you might surprise yourself! And all being well, the Fell Section Weekender should be at the Buttermere Sailbeck race on Saturday 13th June – just waiting for confirmation of the date, but pencil it in your diaries!
The format and scoring system for the championship are as in 2025, so it’s your best 7 races from 15 to count, which must include two of each length (ie. Short, Medium and Long). First Harrier back takes maximum 25 points, 2nd 23 points, 3rd 22 points and so on, with all participants receiving a minimum of 1 point. There are separate competitions for senior men and ladies.
As we take part in a number of fell relays throughout the year, there will be additional points awarded for those making themselves available and competing at the events. And to try and encourage Holmfirth representation throughout the year at the English and British Championship races not included in the Harriers championship, further points will be awarded to those taking part, regardless of finishing position!
And if you can’t race, but volunteer to sweep one of our races, then there’s some Brucie Bonus points up for grabs as well, so no-one misses out!
Harriers Fell Championship race calendar:
- January 11 – Lamb’s Longer Leg (AS) – Chinley, nr. Glossop. Pre-entry by post only.
- February 1 – Mickleden Straddle (BL) – Langsett Barn. Limit of 200. Pre-entry only (Racebest).
- March 15 – Ian Roberts (BM) – Marsden Moor.
- April 18 – Blackstone Edge (AS) – Lydgate, nr. Littleborough. English Championship Counter. Pre-entry only from 9th March (SI Entries).
- May 2 – The Cake Race (BM) – Diggle, Saddleworth.
- May 17 – Calderdale Way Relay.
- May 22 – Castleton Great Ridge Race (BS) – Castleton Playing Fields.
- June 13 – Buttermere Sailbeck (AM) – Buttermere Village. Date to be confirmed - likely to be pre-entry only.
- June 28 – Blencathra (AM) – Fellgate, Mungrisedale, nr. Keswick. English Championship Counter. Pre-entry only, from mid-April.
- July 18 – Eskdale Mixed Fell Relay – Boot, Eskdale, Western Lakes.
- July 26 - Holme Moss (AL) – Cartworth Moor CC, Holme Valley.
- August 5 – Cracken Edge (BM) – Hayfield, nr. Glossop
- August 13 – Denis Stitt (AS) – Cartworth Moor CC, Holme Valley.
- September 5 – Groovy Kinder Love (AL) – Scout Hut, Hayfield.
- September 19 – Cross Keys Road & Fell Relay – Uppermill, Saddleworth.
- October 3 – Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay – Patterdale.
- October 17 – UKA British Fell & Hill Relay Championships – Todmorden.
- November 8 – Soyland Moor (CL) – Hinchliffe Arms, Cragg Vale.
- November 21 – Too Cool For Pule (BS) – Marsden Cricket Club.
- November 29 – Lee Mill Relay – Rossendale Valley, Lancs.
- December 6 – Guisborough Moors (BL) – Guisborough, North York Moors.
Additional British & English Championship races:
- February 21 – Doctor’s Gate (AL) – Glossop. English Championship Counter. Online entry only from 9th January.
- March 7 – Black Combe (AM) – Silecroft Village Hall, nr. Broughton-in-Furness. English Championship Counter. Online entry only from early January.
- July 11 – Pen Y Fan (Short) – Nant Cwm Llwch, nr. Brecon. Wales. British Championship Counter.
- July 25 – Alderman’s Ascent (AS) – Greenfield, Saddleworth. English Championship Counter. Online entries only.
- September 12 – The Old Crown Round (AL) – Hesket Newmarket, nr. Keswick. British & English Championship Counter.
