Run Like a Haggis

(Report from Karen Parker)

No, this isn’t a preview of the Scottish Champs being held this weekend. Instead, it’s a report on an event held last weekend (17^th May) in the Lakes.

I’d come across mentions of the Run Like a Haggis events, but it was Janice and Phil’s enthusiasm that prompted me to have a go. They are Maprun score events with a choice of times – one, two or three hours, and use 1:25000 OS maps, blown up to 1:12500.

Last weekend’s was based at Elterwater in Langdale. My first surprise on seeing the map was the sheer number of controls – 66 spread over an area of about 3km by 2km, all with the same points value. I think the reason there are so many controls is that competitors have to stick to public rights of way and open access land and lots of carefully sited controls means that nothing will be gained by cutting across fields.

I chose the three-hour option, as did about half the sixty or so competitors. I set off full of confidence that at least the navigation would be easy even if the route choice wasn’t. But after taking the wrong path at several junctions I realised I needed to pay a lot more attention to the map. I got out my compass (compulsory kit I had assumed I wouldn’t need) and started checking the directions of the paths I was on. That helped a lot. Several controls in an area of open access woodland were still quite tricky, and I was very relived to hear the confirmatory “beep” of my watch.

Overall, it was great fun and I was amazed by the number of footpaths and bridleways in the area. There were 4 controls on Loughrigg Fell, including one on the summit. I would have liked to go up there but unfortunately my competitive spirit was stronger than my desire to get onto the fells, and I decided that the points available didn’t justify it.

The next event in the series is at Braithwaite on 27^th September. I would thoroughly recommended but unfortunately it clashes with an LOC Cumbrian Galoppen event at Troutal Fell. More information, results and maps can be seen here

… and no, I don’t know why it is called “Run Like a Haggis”