retailer guide Trail and Fell Running
SGB takes a look at trail running and fell running, which are becoming increasingly popular with road runners looking for a new challenge
Definition Trail running participants run on established paths or tracks in rural or countryside areas. Signage is clear and easy to follow. Fell running, which is often confused with trail running, is the sport of running and racing off- road and off-track on rough terrain. It usually takes place over remote upland country and aims to climb a steep gradient, and requires orienteering skills to navigate the route.
History Fell running is not a new sport. The Fell Runners Association (FRA) was established in the 1970s, and has now been around almost fifty years. Trail running, however, is an emerging sport which has seen huge participation increases in the UK over the past ten years, helped by the growing popularity and publicity of events such as the Lakeland Trails, which attracts thousands of runners every year and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, which is widely considered the most iconic and challenging trail run.
KEY PRODUCTS
Niche sports like trail and fell running provide a key opportunity for specialist sports and outdoor retailers. Multiples and general high street shops cannot provide sufficient range of dedicated, high-quality kit, and online platforms do not have the benefit of expert advice and the opportunity to try kit on.
Trail shoes The most important piece of kit is a pair of trail shoes; every-day trainers are not simply not hard-core enough for off-road running. Whilst other equipment can be useful, they are the only thing that is truly essential. Fell and trail running’s simplicity and lack of accoutrements is one of the things participants value most about the sport. Ankle
support.Many trail shoes are cut slightly higher than regular running trainers, offering greater ankle support and protection for uneven terrain that features unexpected tree roots, rabbit holes and slippery patches. A twisted ankle halfway up a mountain is not a good position to be in. Traction. The soles of trail shoes should have high traction and a deep tread for maximum traction. Fell running often involves running straight up steep grass mountainsides which can be incredibly slippery on wet days, so a shoe that enables runners to maintain their footing is essential.
Extra
protection.Many models of trail shoe contain external or internal plates to safeguard against hard rocks and sharp surfaces that could pierce shoes and injure feet. These could be at the sole, at the toe or at the heel. If your customer is a really keen fell runner who seriously competes in races, you could suggest different models of trail shoes with characteristics best suited to specific types of terrain.
Sunglasses Eyes are most susceptible to UV ray exposure from 8am to 10am, and 2pm to 4pm – peak times for runners to be out on roads and trails. Sunglasses also protect the eyes from damage by flies, dust and other debris.
Safety Fell and trail running are safest in an organised group. Unexpected weather conditions, severe terrain and remote locations far from civilisation mean that participants can be in real trouble if something goes wrong. If runners are really keen to experience solo fell or trail running, they should take waterproof layers, a hat and gloves, a map, compass, whistle and emergency food rations. A lightweight bivouac bag and basic first aid supplies can also be useful.
Participants Historically, fell running has been a very niche sport – something that has been encouraged by the sport’s participants and the FRA due to its potential for environmental damage if large numbers take part.
However, as the popularity of events such as Tough Mudder and Iron Man rises, runners are increasingly looking for their next challenge and trail and fell running are an obvious next step.
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