Race Categories

Courses are categorised by the amount of ascent and distance.

Ascent Categories

Category A at least 250 ft (76.2 m) of ascent per mile (1.6 km)

Category B at least 125 ft (38.1 m) of ascent per mile (1.6 km)

Category C at least 100 ft (30.5 m) of ascent per mile (1.6 km)

Distance Categories

Category L for Long - over 12 miles (19.3 km)

Category M for Medium - over 6 miles (9.6 km)

Category S for Short - less than 6 miles (9.6 km)

Additional Categories

Category O also known as a Long O event. Checkpoints are revealed to each competitor when they come up to a "staggered" start.

Category MM events also known as Mountain Marathons and Mountain Trials. Similar to Category O, always long, in wild, mountainous country with entry as pairs

Three example "classic A" races

• Wasdale Fell Race AL 21 miles (33.8 km) 9,000 ft (2743.2 m)
• Male record 3 hrs 21 min - W Bland 1982
• Female record 4 hrs 22 min - M Todd 1997
• Ben Nevis Race AM 10 miles (16.1 km) 4,400 ft (1341.1 m)
• Male record 1 hr 25 min - K Stuart 1984
• Female record - P Haworth 1984
• Blisco Dash AS 5 miles (8.1 km) 2,000 ft (609.6 m)
• Record 36 min J Maitland 1987