Kong Of The Hills
Be the king of the hill at this winter fell race series in the Lake District...
The Kong Winter Fell Series has returned with plenty of fast-paced fell racing action guaranteed over the five tough fell races organised by Keswick's Kong Adventure. In fact, race one has already taken place (at the end of November) but you will be pleased to hear that the Stybarrow Dodd race is the toughest of the series which means it is a piece of cake from here on in, doesn't it?
Just round the corner is the Loopy Latrigg on 21 December - which organisers say is the 'fastest and most runable of them all'. Beginning at Keswick Fitz Park, crossing over the road and onto Spooney Green Lane, the route traverses the length of Latrigg to emerge near the eastern edge by Brundholme Road. There is a steep climb to Latrigg summit which will have lungs bursting before flying down to Spooney Green Lane and sprinting into Fitz Park to finish.
Race three on 18 January is Clough Head - a tough 5 mile route with a lot of climbing. The race starts in the quarry and heads straight out onto the fell to begin the climb up to Clough Head summit – a total of 1870ft of climbing in a little over 2 miles. From Clough Head summit, it’s a flying runable descent to the rocky summit of White Pike then turn left and pick the best line down to the gate and the quad track. From here any route across the lower fellside back to the top of the quarry and the final sprint along the quarry tracks all the way to King Kong Climbing Wall’s workshop and the finish!
Onto race four which has been named the SOB (Stile End, Outerside, Barrow) on 1 February. It’s a 5 mile race with 1640ft of climbing with a beautiful route - so hopefully no sobbing on the course.
Completing the series is the BB Kong on 15 February. This 5 miler has it all – fast running traversing the flanks of Blencathra through fields, a tough climb up the stunning Doddick fell to reach Blencathra summit, super-fast ridgeline running to Blease Fell then a steep technical descent back to the car park.
If you'd like to know more, visit the Kong Adventure website.
Image: Kong Adventure Facebook
