Any advice for a novice?
Use the RLF,PLF,RLF method and you'll be grand.
I can manage that.
Does that mean there will be trail closures? I am intending to go there tomorrow?
Apparently the trails will still be open - according to the email from the race organisers.
Oops. It's on Sunday.
It's run then bike for the short race. Make sure you're properly (properly, [i]properly[/i]) warmed up, as the pace tends to be pretty intense. Be prepared to feel like death as you run uphill; just find a pace you can sustain. Try to really open up on smoother running descents; use that gravity. Take care on the rougher running descents on natural ground, as you could easily do yourself a mischief (watch how fast the fell runners go on these sections).
For the cycle, I've often used mud tyres in the past, as they typically include a lot of churned-up natural sections. However, it looks like they're using more established trails for this race.
Enjoy it. It's a great race with very laid back atmosphere and real sense of fun. Attracts a very broad range of abilities.
Does that mean there will be trail closures? I am intending to go there tomorrow?
Not usually though it is a bit of a pain when a hundred or so racers come past you
Aye, and watch how you go, I took a couple of wrong turns last time I did one of these, was bit peeved.
arrpee - thanks! Fell Runners!!! 😯 What have I let myself in for?
Yup, lots of participants whose first discipline isn't necessarily mountain biking, which makes for very interesting racing. You might find you catch a lot of people during the cycle who left you for dead on the run, especially descending.
I did one in the Lakes last year. 100ish people raced.
I was top 10 on both runs, mid-table on the bike, top third overall.
I punctured with 2 miles to go and figured it'd be quicker to push than repair. Don't think I'd do that again.
Most time is definitely made/ lost on the bike. Take the first run steady and give the second run absolutely everything!