Fell and Trail Running

Off-road running is a big part of the club, with options on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the club and active informal groups on other days. The club's name has its origin in the wish to exploit the vast network of local public footpaths and bridleways, and we keep that tradition going. We are also close to the Peak District and can easily exploit the open access and wonderful scenery it provides. Many members compete in fell races and members of the club organise several local fell and trail races:

• Hartcliff Hill Race, Oughtibridge Chase, Amble's Revenge, The Trunce, Thurlstone Chase
• We enter fell relays, such as the British Athletics Fell and Hill Relay Championships, the Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay
• There are Fell and Cross Country (Trail) sections to the Club Championship, with local races selected each year across a range of distances
• We have a Fell League in which members accumulate points from all the fell races they compete in during the year, and prizes are awarded overall and in each age group

English Fell Champions

Many members, junior and senior, compete at all different levels, mostly there to take part, enjoying pushing themselves and/or the sociable nature of fell racing, but we have had a few very successful runners, three of whom have been English Fell Champions:

• 1986: Dave Cartwright (MV40)
• 2012: Barbara Haigh (FV65)
• 2021: Julie Darigala (FV45 and FV50)

Graihagh Turner has represented England internationally in mountain running at under 17 and under 18 levels.

Bob Graham Round

The Bob Graham Round is an individual fell running challenge in the Lake District. It is named after Bob Graham (1889–1966), who ran a circuit, starting and finishing at the Moot Hall in Keswick, summiting 42 fells, within 24 hours. The route is approximately 66 miles (106 km) with 27,000 feet (8,200 m) of ascent and consists of five legs – the legs are defined by the four road crossings.

In order to be officially recognised by the Bob Graham Club, runners must be accompanied to each summit, and the challenge normally involves a team effort with supporters running on each leg, carrying kit and assisting with navigation and moral support.

Sixteen club members have completed the challenge within 24 hours and become members of the Bob Graham Club.

• 2000: Dave Griffin (22:40)
• 2003: Martyn Goodwin (23:29)
• 2005: Nicky Spinks (23:33)
• 2005: Andy Plummer (23:41)
• 2006: Nick Cable (23:35)
• 2007: Ian Charlesworth (23:01)
• 2007: John Rowe (23:59)
• 2009: Simon Rippon (22:45)
• 2010: Mark Pearce (23:53)
• 2010: Brent Lindsay (23:11)
• 2012: Nicky Spinks (18:12) – Fastest ladies' time until 2015
• 2012: Joe Mann (20:59)
• 2015: Nicky Spinks (18:06) – Fastest ladies' time until 2016
• 2015: James Pierce (23:30)
• 2016: Sarah Jones-Morris (23:11)
• 2017: Chris Charlesworth (23:34)
• 2021: Damian Kilpin (23:21)
• 2024: Richard Cottam (22:17)

Billy Bland Challenge

The Billy Bland Challenge uses the same route as the Bob Graham Round, but is run as a relay, with pairs of runners taking on each leg. In 2025 the club completed the round in 20:10. The attempt was organised by Steve Sanders and the team was Jon Hallam and Daniel Rushforth (leg 1; 4:15); Mark Crossley, Steve Sanders and Shaun Swallow (leg 2; 4:50); James Fryers and Tom Fryers (leg 3, 5:04); Richard Cottam and George Parr (leg 4; 3:40); Damian Kilpin and Suzanne McGill (leg 5; 2:21).