How many times should I recce a fell race course?

Once is better than never, twice is sensible. The first recce should be for learning the route and taking photos of key landmarks, whilst a second one closer to race day helps you practice running sections at speed and cement everything in your memory.

What should I actually look for during a recce run?

Focus on gates (which side they're on, how they open), path junctions where you could go wrong, and distinctive landmarks like boulders or wall ruins that'll be visible in mist. Pay particular attention to descents—slopes that look fine walking can be terrifying at race pace with tired legs.

Why should I recce in bad weather if the weather might be different on race day?

Because British weather is unpredictable, and most fell races happen in poor conditions anyway. Recce-ing in fog or rain forces you to memorise landmarks like walls and streams that persist regardless of weather, rather than relying on clear paths that might be invisible on race day.

Trail Running and Fell Running

The Recce Run: When Walking the Route First Feels Like Cheating But Isn't

Most fell races expect you to know the terrain before the start gun goes off — which means spending weekends memorising gate positions, tricky descents, and where the path disappears entirely. Why reconnaissance is part of the sport, not homework avoidance.

31 August 20267 min read