Hell Up North

Rob Howard / 02.11.2006

After the success of last years Hellrunner in Hampshire, organisers Trailplus, and sponsors Saab and Salomon decided it was time to give runners in the North the chance to try their brand of adventure running … and they loved it!

The first Northern Hellrunner was held in the Delamere Forest Park in Cheshire and the response was impressive with nearly 1000 competitors entering, some travelling long distances to take part. “If there was any doubt an off-road race like this would be popular away from Southern England, I think the overwhelming response has quashed them,” said race organiser Paul Magner.

Delamere Forest Park was a new venue for off-road running. The area had never held an event quite like it, but it has the ideal facilities and terrain. And the terrain was helped by the weather, which could not have been better! The week before had been very wet, making the streams and bogs as Hellish as could be hoped for, and on the day it was dry and warm.

The Little Devils Fun Run preceded the main race and over 100 juniors (and some adults too) enjoyed their 3km run before the first ‘Hell Up North’ got underway with an uphill start. The course included ‘The Hills of Hell’, river crossing and some fearsome bogs, which came up to waist level for some runners, but there were lots of smiles and laughs on the course plus some impressive fancy dress.

“Some of the local runners who know Delamere could not believe the places we found to take them,” said Magner. He added, “For many regular road runners the idea of adventure running was quite new, but they took to it and are looking forward to more. Next year we promise to make the race bigger and even boggier!”