Faster!
THE
WAUGH’S WELL
FELL RACE


Sponsored by Bury Motor Bodies (Edenfield) and
Ultimate

The first Waugh’s Well Fell Race was held on Wednesday 9 June 1993 and attracted a field of 77, mainly local athletes.

It has been held annually in June, then July, since then – with the exception of 2001, when it was cancelled because of the Foot and

Mouth epidemic.

It is a four mile race with 1200ft of ascent run over Scout Moor and passes by Waugh's Well, a stone structure built to commemorate Rochdale poet Edwin Waugh who found this moorland a source of inspiration for his writing.  The race has from the start been very popular, being listed by Rossendale Harriers, Todmorden, Saddleworth and Radcliffe, among other clubs, as part of their fell racing championships. This (together with a large prize list from generous sponsors) has led to a lively session in the Plane Tree pub afterwards for the presentation. Sadly the Plane Tree has closed, but from 2002 the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary has hosted the event, with tea and sandwiches on sale.

 

Pete Jepson and Pete Lyons of Rossendale Harriers initiated the idea of the race and its course. Cath and Jeff Hignett of Bury AC (now Rossendale members) joined in enthusiastically - they live in Turn Village and are members of the Resident’s Association - and the race was born. The race is now organised by Cath and Jeff and the Residents' Association. Approximately £1,500 has been raised by the races and this has contributed towards the purchase of an Adventure Trail, two sets of swings, a springer and safety surfaces for the Children’s Play Area Project; it's nice to see what you have given the children. Dan and Rebecca Hignett have always acted as "starters" for the race.

At the same time generous sponsorship,  mostly  from local businesses such as Bury Motor Bodies, Farm Swim School and The Fisherman’s Retreat,  has provided a very extensive prize list.  Bensons Beds and Marshall’s Quarries have also contributed towards the prize list, as did the Plane Tree Inn which also hosted the prize presentation. Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary has always been the venue for registration and will now also host the after race presentation.

 

The race is based on the Animal Sanctuary where there is plenty of car parking space. Turn village is just out of Edenfield on the A680 Rochdale road, GR806186. Enter on the day - course marked but local knowledge is an advantage especially in bad weather when getting lost is a risk on these moors. Don't forget your safety equipment please, you wouldn't be the first to finish the race on the bus from Rochdale! Lower age limit 16 years.

Results
1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 from Sportsoft - Graham Fecitt
Home Page

Steve Bateson's photographs

Home Page
WAUGH’S WELL FELL RACE – OVERALL RECORDS

 

CATEGORY                   NAME                                        TIME                            YEAR

 

MEN                                       A WRENCH                                            28.55                                      1998

MV40                                    D. LEWIS                                          kkk30.17                                      2004

MV45                                     R RAWLINSON                                     32.13                                      1997

MV50                                     K TAYLOR                                              34.36                                      1997

MV55                                     K. TAYLOR                                             35.27                                      2005

MV60                                    P.JEPSON                                                38.26                                     2002

MV65                                     D CLUTTERBUCK                                 44.34                                     1996

MV70                                     B CROOK                                                51.40                                     1996

 

WOMEN                               C GREENWOOD                                    34.29                                     1997

FV35                                       G COOK                                                  41.10                                      1994

FV40                                      V PEACOCK                                           35.50                                      1997

FV45                                      V PEACOCK                                           36.21                                      1998

FV50                                      L LORD                                                    43.13                                      1998

MALE JUNIOR                  G EHRHARDT                                          31.51                                      1995

TEAM                                  ROSSENDALE                                        14 POINTS                           2000