Pendle Cloughs Fell Race

Pendle Cloughs Fell Race

The Pendle Cloughs Fell Race is an AL category event covering a distance of 14 miles with 4100 feet of ascent. The course begins in the village of Downham and traverses the open fells of Pendle Hill. The race is held under UKA rules and is registered with the FRA.

The route starts with flagged sections across fields before reaching the open fell. Once on the fell, participants must visit nine checkpoints in a specific order but are permitted to choose their own routes between them. The course passes through seven of Pendle’s cloughs, including Burst, Mearley, Ogden, Deep, Churn, Ashendean, and Boar Clough. The terrain consists of high, rough, and trackless moorland with steep ascents and descents. Ground conditions include loose stones, mud, peat, and rough grass. After approximately 12 miles of navigation, the final two miles consist of a downhill section leading back to the finish.

Registration takes place at Downham Village Hall. Participants must be at least 18 years old on the day of the event. Full mandatory FRA kit is required and must be presented for checking at registration; participants without the required kit are not permitted to start or will be disqualified at the finish. Specific checkpoint cut-offs are enforced at Checkpoint 3 and Checkpoint 6.

Parking is available at the Village Hall and the Information Centre in the centre of Downham. The event prohibits climbing over walls or fences except at designated crossing points and restricts access to private land and out of bounds areas on Downham Moor. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.