ATCHISON SOUTHERN ENGLAND

FELL RUNNING TIMES FOR OUR ROUTES

All of the routes in our series can be used as fell runs. The aim of the series is to provide 1500, excellent fell runs across Britain. Completing all of the BIG WALK ROUTES will present a marathon challenge for any completely obsessed runner.

TIMINGS: All of the walking times have been set by David Atchison-Jones, walking at his constant and reliable brisk pace of 3.75 miles per hour on the flat. This pace will obviously slow down as the ground underfoot becomes more rugged, and diminsh to a crawl on very steep ascents.Times will not be anywhere similar to those of walking/running on a flat running track. The timings are used on the maps to index the text, which helps with fast and accurate navigation. All timings are colour coded to help for quick reference. There are also hour stopwatch markers on the maps.

RUNNING AND WALKING PACE: In careful trials, 200 out of 210 walkers starting on the Yorkshire Three peaks, walked 176 yds in 96 seconds (flat in Horton). This equates easily at 960 seconds for the mile = 16 mins (3.75 miles per hour). The ATCHISON approach, is that the natural difference between walking and running - is that running should be twice the speed as walking, otherwise it is simply JOGGING. Minimum Atchison running times, are therefore based on a percentage of a non stop walking time. 50% of the given walking time is allowed for men, and 55% for women. Most competent runners should easily achieve running an 8 min mile (8.48 girls).

COMPARING TIMES: The whole point of this system, is to give defined routes across the hills of Britain that runners can test themselves against. Keeping your times under 50% won't win you an Olympic medal, but certainly is a very good effort when hills are involved! Since every walk in each book has been timed on the same basis, all routes should have comparable timings. This means that if you complete a route in Derbyshire, in say 45% of the time; you should complete another route in Cumbria in the same 45%. (See table at the bottom to get your rating standard)

ROUTE VARIATIONS: This series of books has been aimed at both walkers and runners. Every route has a separate intro for walkers and runners, highlighting the different ways of appreciating the terrain and difficulties. In some cases there are sensible runners variations - it may be an erosion problem or for some other reason.

FA RATING: This is your FIRST ATTEMPT percentage time, and will vary considerably upon your Best Time for a route that you know very well. In fact, with poor map reading and bad visibility, you FA % rating may be up in the 80% times! Unlike fell races, there are no race officers to point the way, or other runners to follow. The routes illustrated in the books vary tremendously. Some routes follow distinct public footpaths, but others can cross miles of wide open moorland.

BIG WALKS CHALLENGE: Completing the shorter routes in under 50% of the time will seem possible/probable for most. However, completing the big walks in under 50% will require the aspirant runner to dig a little deeper!

PRACTICAL USE:

Each book is concise and light enough to carry in a bum bag whilst running. Each area has its own map that folds flat if you fold the book back on itself. (The book is sewn bound and will not break - the nylon stitching simply stretches). This makes it very easy to scan a double page spread on your home scanner. By printing the text instructions with bearings on the reverse, you can plasticate all in a single sheet for those economising on weight and needing waterproof durability. The maps have excellent clarity for quick reference when running, and added comments for runners.

All maps have National Grid lines and references, so you can easily intermix with a GPS. This grid is entirely metric, but we have given all the traditional heights of the hills in feet (nowt a lot changes in them hills). The big bonus for runners, is to have every route in the centre of a double page spread, and consequently 150 routes at a minimal price. Additionally, by having this book in the car, you will always have every map to an entire area of Britain at hand, (how often do you end up forgetting the exact maps you need).

CALCULATING YOUR PERCENTAGE TIMING RATING:

Simply complete a complete any big walk as a run, and convert then your time to mins. Divide your time, by the total given walk time - to get your achieved percentage rating. This will enable you to work out your own target time for any of the 150 routes in each book.

Compare your own percentage with the YORKSHIRE THREE PEAKS: This CLASSIC route from Horton le Ribblesdale, is included in the Northern England book. The Atchison route is the classic walker's route, (which is slightly different to the annual race). It goes up Pen-y-ghent from the S, then down via the path to Hull Pot. It uses the well laid flagged path up Whernside (via the aqueduct over the railway), and follows the normal steep ascent of Ingleborough.Since many runners will have done this, it is a good yardstick to work out your percentage time for starting off. Simply look up your 3 peaks time on the table below to see your percentage rating. Obviously, running the 3 peaks in under 3 hours is a big tick for all fell runners, 37% is your target therefore for all of the routes - good luck.