Fran Blackett: Fell running makes me feel so alive

Many people are intimidated by the navigation skills required to take part in fell running, a barrier that keen fell runner, Fran Blackett, is working to overcome to empower everyone to get involved. We recently caught up with Fran on her love for fell running and the work she is doing to encourage other women to get into the sport.

How did you get involved in fell running?

Fran started running about 15 years ago as a way to keep fit but was not introduced to fell running until she met her husband in 2013.

“I had always walked in the mountains and fells but running in them was something I had never considered. Initially we walked together but gradually he started encouraging some jogging on the downs and before I knew it, in December of 2013, I was at the start line of my first fell race. From then, I was hooked!”

Why do you love fell running?

“There are so many layers to the sport of fell running,” Fran explained, “but at its heart, the sport is about being self-sufficient whilst moving as fast as you can through the fells. I thrive on the challenge that this presents. The completion of any fell run comes with the satisfaction that you have navigated yourself, carrying the food and clothing that you need and for me this outweighs any medals or glory.

“It is very hard to select just one favourite moment. For me the joy comes from the overall feeling that being out in wild, remote, often challenging environments brings me. The feeling of being free, of being a small dot in a big, wild expanse, the wind on my face, the rain battering my jacket. These feelings all make me feel so alive.”

What have you learnt from these experiences that you can apply to other areas of your life?

“There is no denying that the sport of fell running is tough. The hills are long and never feel like they get any easier. This running discipline requires huge amounts of resilience. The ability to motivate yourself to keep going across rough ground when it feels like it will never end.

“This toughness and resilience can be applied to anything else in your life where you face challenges. If you are facing tough challenges in your life, keeping stepping forward and you will always reach the end.”

What inspired you to start teaching others navigation skills?

Having completed a both a Leadership in Running Fitness course and a Coach in Running Fitness course, Fran setup a ladies only night at her club, Durham Fell Runners. This has encouraged more women to get involved in the sport.

“From the very beginning, I wanted to make sure that these sessions were designed in a way that included all abilities. This ethos in the group has created such a wonderful supportive environment. Our sessions often offer a lot more than just running. There is wonderful emotional support, friendship and fun.

“This group has been hugely successful and the current club membership is now 47% female which is something I am very proud of.”

“During these sessions it became clear in conversation that a lack in confidence in their navigation skills was a huge barrier to our members getting out and taking part in a fell race. Navigation with map and compass can feel an intimidating prospect.”

Fran discovered there was little female representation in the courses and training on offer, so decided to pass on the skills that she had learnt to others interested in fell running.

“Having gained the skills myself over the past 10 years, I decided that I wanted to offer something a bit different and share my knowledge in friendly, accessible courses that I hope will take some of the intimidation out of navigating with map and compass.”

What is your advice to anyone interested in starting fell running?

“Look up your local fell club. It may feel intimidating, but I assure you they will be friendly and welcoming. There is a lot to learn when it comes to learning the mountain craft needed to be safe in the fells and a fell running club will have many members with the knowledge that they will be happy to share with you.

“Also, it is hard! It wouldn’t be as much fun if it wasn’t. So, when you head up your first hill and you feel like your legs are going to fall off and your heart is going to explode out of your chest, that’s all very normal. Soon you’ll be hurtling downhill, arms flailing with a huge grin on your face.”

Has Fran’s story inspired you to try fell running?

If so, there are fell running clubs across the country, so use our club finder to find your local club and get involved.