Northern Fells Running Club Old Crown Round

The course

What you’re in for

A full round of the northern fells from the village green at Hesket Newmarket: 36km with 2,200m of climb over Carrock Fell, Blencathra, Skiddaw House, Skiddaw, Knott and High Pike, an FRA long, category AL, at eleven on a Saturday in September with a cut-off at Carrock at ten past twelve. No marking, no GPS — the organiser forbids any electronic navigation, compasses included — no poles, and the full FRA kit list. Entry through SiEntries. The pub is the finish.

Terrain and trail

Road and track out of the village, then the whole range: steep grass and rock on Carrock, the rocky ridges of Blencathra, the peat and stony path over Skiddaw, and the boggy, trackless ground round Knott and the Caldew — remote, in the organiser's words, and needing navigation. A fell shoe with grip.

Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of The Old Crown, Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

EXPERT

Bob Graham Round Leg 2: Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise

22.3km · 1,690m climb · Point to point · 13km away

It is the great runnable middle of the Bob Graham: a near-continuous high ridge where you can hold a rhythm over twelve tops without ever dropping to the valley.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Skiddaw and Blencathra via Lonscale Fell

23.2km · 1,412m climb · Loop · 15km away

Four Northern Fell Wainwrights in one continuous round, including the roof of the region on Skiddaw and the dramatic edges of Blencathra.

Checked Jul 2026

EXPERT

Bob Graham Round Leg 1: Skiddaw and Blencathra

20.8km · 1,576m climb · Point to point · 17km away

You get the start of the most famous round in British fell running, crossing Skiddaw at 931 m and the lonely top of Great Calva before the high traverse to Blencathra and the steep drop off Hall's Fell.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Espresso Round

22.6km · 1,055m climb · Loop · 17km away

All four summits are visible from George Fisher's cafe window, so you can plan the whole thing over a coffee before you go and pick out exactly what you're about to climb.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Catbells from Keswick

16.8km · 431m climb · Loop · 17km away

You earn the Catbells summit the long way, with kilometres of lakeside running each side of the climb and no car needed from Keswick.

Checked Jul 2026

EXPERT

Abraham's Tea Round

48.2km · 3,378m climb · Loop · 17km away

You earn a free cup of tea at Abraham's Cafe by touching every summit you can see from its top-floor window: a proper Keswick fell-running rite of passage.

Checked Jul 2026

All Lake District routes →

How to enter

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Common questions

How far is the Old Crown Round?

The Old Crown Round is one distance: 36km (22.4 miles).

How much climbing is in the Old Crown Round?

The 36km has 2,200 m of ascent.

How hard is the Old Crown Round?

Not graded yet. A TRP grade is worked out from distance and climb measured off the course file, and there isn't one for the Old Crown Round yet.

Is the Old Crown Round course marked?

No. The Old Crown Round is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What kit do I need for the Old Crown Round?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the Old Crown Round. Northern Fells Running Club confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the Old Crown Round?

FRA category AL. Skills: ER, PM, LK, NS — partially marked, navigation skills required. Checkpoints at Carrock Fell, Blencathra, Skiddaw House, Skiddaw summit, Knott and High Pike. Minimum age 18. The club warn that in poor conditions you could be in cloud, on open high fells and alone.

What is at the checkpoints on the Old Crown Round?

We don't hold a checkpoint list for the Old Crown Round. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Northern Fells Running Club race information rather than turning up expecting food.

Can I download the Old Crown Round route?

Not yet — we don't hold a course file for the Old Crown Round. Some organisers only send the GPX to entrants. If we get one, it goes up free, with no sign-up.

When is the next Old Crown Round?

Sat, 11 Sept 2027, which the organiser has published as provisional. Not open yet.

Past runnings