Running the Dales

We catch up with writer Victoria Benn to find out more about fell running, one of the Yorkshire Dales’ oldest sports, still going strong after nearly 200 years

- Victoria Benn

If there’s one thing we’ve all learned over the last few months, it’s that there are few things we can and should take for granted. Our health, our social freedoms, and even our loo roll supplies have all become luxuries to treasure. Also telling was the fact that when many of us saw the constancy of our normal diversions and entertainments like pubs, clubs, gyms, and restaurants temporarily evaporate, thousands of us headed for the hills. As Snowdonia National Park and closer to home, Malham Cove, tried to cope with the busiest visitor days in living memory amidst strict guidelines on social distancing, one thing became clear, that the inspiration and sanctuary our magnificent Yorkshire Dales’ fells and mountains offer, remains unparalleled.

We might be standing still in some ways but it’s a perfect time to shine a light on the Dales’ traditional and enduring sport of fell running. With nearly 200 years of epic feats and sporting stars wrapped up in its current schedule of 30 plus races and events - to this day still hosted in the local landscape - once the Dales is back up and running, you might just be tempted to get the legs moving.