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Fetch Fell Runners

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rf_fozzy 17 Mar 2:58pm, 17 Mar 2025 23,641 posts	Quote Pin rf_fozzy In other words, it happens quite a lot. Probably a lot more than people realise. Despite it might not be seen as the done thing.
larkim 17 Mar 3:02pm, 17 Mar 2025 26,907 posts	Quote Pin larkim I'd guess for 95% of participants precise rule following isn't actually the point and not top on their list of worries. Beyond meeting kit requirements, not using nav etc. It's only with this being in the champs series, would be a long afternoon doing 21 miles around Edale only to get DQ'd because your dad handed you a water bottle!
rf_fozzy 17 Mar 3:19pm, 17 Mar 2025 23,642 posts	Quote Pin rf_fozzy There is, as far as I am aware, no rule about "outside assistance" - even in the champs races. So I'm not sure what the grounds for a dq would be. Ive seen spectators tell lead runners they're going the wrong way off summits before. To me that's a more aggregious breach of the rules, rather than getting a water bottle from someonem
paulcook 17 Mar 3:29pm, 17 Mar 2025 7,623 posts	Quote Pin paulcook fellrunner.org.uk Q: Where do I get water? Fell races usually have no “aid stations”. Most runners start with a little water and then refill from streams on the route (potentially several times in long races). However, some races are almost or completely dry, so check the route and weather forecast and ensure you start with sufficient water. If intending to refill on the route, consider the water quality and whether to use water purification tablets or a filter bottle. Occasionally, there might be water or squash provided at a road crossing on a very dry course – please check with the Race Organiser. The only other "rule" I'm aware of is you're supposed to carry all your own kit. I don't think that includes water though does include emergency food. Not sure any of that helps.
larkim 17 Mar 4:07pm, 17 Mar 2025 26,908 posts	Quote Pin larkim Yep, strangely silent about outside assistance! I can't be the only family member that's wondered about this, especially as many of the fell running "challenges" are quite clear about what is supported and what is not. Maybe it's just one of those things that people "know" but is never written down.
Derby Tup 17 Mar 4:18pm, 17 Mar 2025 71,142 posts	Quote Pin Derby Tup Think you’re probably right
flyingfinn 17 Mar 4:27pm, 17 Mar 2025 3,780 posts	Quote Pin flyingfinn Many moons ago before many of the modern methods of carrying fluid were about (eg race vests, camelbaks etc) and folk were limited to say a small bottle in a bumbag it was common to take drinks from spectators and random walkers who took pity. I can certainly recall taking drinks off random people on a roasting day at Ennerdale nearly 40 years ago and indeed at Edale on a particularly warm April day 16 years ago. On neither occasion did I plan it but at Edale the very welcome fluid was courtesy of a group of DP clubmates who had strategically positioned themselves to ensure that no DP vest went into the then 2nd half (race was then CW not the current ACW) without a drink as there was nowhere from then on with flowing water (which is what people generally relied on) So I suspect the lack of rules is largely down to the fact that historically it was fairly common practice because of the lack of easy modern alternatives.
paulcook 17 Mar 4:30pm, 17 Mar 2025 7,625 posts	Quote Pin paulcook If it's not written down, surely it can't be wrong!! Certainly some events stipulate no outside assistance.
paulcook 17 Mar 4:32pm, 17 Mar 2025 7,626 posts	Quote Pin paulcook flyingfinn wrote:Many moons ago before many of the modern methods of carrying fluid were about (eg race vests, camelbaks etc) and folk were limited to say a small bottle in a bumbag it was common to take drinks from spectators and random walkers who took pity. I can certainly recall taking drinks off random people on a roasting day at Ennerdale nearly 40 years ago and indeed at Edale on a particularly warm April day 16 years ago. On neither occasion did I plan it but at Edale the very welcome fluid was courtesy of a group of DP clubmates who had strategically positioned themselves to ensure that no DP vest went into the then 2nd half (race was then CW not the current ACW) without a drink as there was nowhere from then on with flowing water (which is what people generally relied on) So I suspect the lack of rules is largely down to the fact that historically it was fairly common practice because of the lack of easy modern alternatives. This makes a huge amount of sense.
flyingfinn 17 Mar 4:33pm, 17 Mar 2025 3,781 posts	Quote Pin flyingfinn As for food. In years gone by most ate very little compared with modern practice of gels every x minutes. Yet strangely ran no slower but those were in the days before running and endurance sport was big business and a plethora of funded research was used to sell nutrition products.