The Yomp Mountain Challenge - Sunday June 3rd 2012
The Full Yomp Mountain Challenge involves a run, or walk, of 23 miles, traversing thebeautiful Cumbrian fells in the Upper Eden Valley near Kirkby Stephen. For those
preferring a gentler aim, there are routes of 11.5 miles (Half Yomp) and 6.5 miles
(Short Yomp). The Yomp Mountain Challenge, formerly known as the Mallerstang
Horseshoe and Nine Standards Yomp, was established in 1983 by the Rotary Club of
Upper Eden to commemorate the achievements of the British Forces engaged in the
Falklands Campaign. The 2012 event will be the 30th. Yomp.
The three Yomp routes make up an outdoor event which welcomes both fell walkers and
runners. The Full Yomp is a serious undertaking. Walkers should aim to complete the
circuit in under 9 hours, while at the other extreme fell runners will aspire to beat Carl Bell’s
2011 course record time of 2 hours 43 minutes. The Yomp is a community event open to
all with the appropriate fitness, experience, and above the minimum age limits. Local
organisations and individuals support the event and landowners grant access permissions
for it.
The term ‘Yomp is Royal Marine slang used to describe a long distance march loaded with full kit. It was famously used to describe how British Forces crossed the Falkland Islands in 1982, across terrain remarkably similar to that encountered on our Pennine Fells. They progressed by marching, running, crawling or whatever proved method necessary to make progress without detection by the enemy. Although the Yomp Mountain Challenge mirrors the terrain, the kit to be carried is lighter, visibility at checkpoints is mandatory, and we hope that crawling does not become necessary!
The Full Yomp (23 miles, 4000 ft height gain) starts at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School and heads South out of town and past Wharton Hall, continuing over Wild Boar Fell and on to Swarth Fell before swinging off the tops down to Aisgill Moor. Climbing back from the valley via Hell Gill onto Mallerstang Edge the route passes over High Seat and High Pike and drops down to the Swaledale road near the top of Tailbridge Hill. The final stage is the ascent to the Nine Standards, and then down to Kirkby Stephen. Minimum age for entry: 14.
The Half Yomp
The Half Yomp (11.5 miles) provides a less demanding course, but with some rough terrain and the full ascent of Nine Standards it is still more than equivalent to a half-marathon on the flat. It follows the Full Yomp course past Wharton Hall, then by a (new for 2012) fell route to the top of Tailbridge Hill, rejoining the main route to the Nine Standards and then down to Kirkby Stephen. 11.5 miles, 2000’ climb. Minimum age for entry 11.
The Short Yomp
The Short Yomp, starting at Tailbridge Hill (NB After registration at The Grammar School first) covers the same ground as the final section of the two longer routes, including the summit of Nine Standards, providing a great challenge for children of 5 or over walking with their parents or teachers. 6.5 miles, 600’ height gain.
All routes are over fell land, bog and tussock, and the full course rises to over 2,100’ in three places. Routes are flagged.
Timing
In 2012 all times will be recorded using the Sportident system. You will be guided through the procedure on Yomp Day, but for those new to electronic timing here is a brief description of what it is and how it works:
On registering you will have an electronic ‘card’ in the shape of a ‘dibber’ fastened to your wrist. This will be programmed with your race number. To start, and to record your start time, you will dip your dibber into a recording box. On the way round the course there will be further timing boxes at key checkpoints for you to ‘dib’, and a final one at the finish. Your time will have been recorded by each box. Your dibber will then be removed, and the information in it downloaded into a computer. You will then be handed a printed ‘till roll’ record of your performance, to the nearest second. As runners come in, on-screen listings will show placings for all three courses. Certificates of performance will be printed out from the computer.
Run or walk, Team or Solo
The Yomp is tackled with enthusiasm by hundreds of runners and walkers every year. Some participate on their own and some in teams. Some participate for the simple pleasure of a fine day out in the hills, some with serious intent to win a trophy or set a new record time.
Number of Entrants
The number of entrants is limited to 800. Despite the numbers, the routes never appear crowded due to staggered start times and varying Yomp lengths.
Method of Entry
Please book on-line via Si Entries if you possibly can. This will make life much easier for everyone – and a little cheaper, as we are able to offer better entry rates for on-line bookings!
Trophies, Medals and Certificates
In 2012 all entrants will be timed to the nearest second, and receive a completion certificate. There are 24 trophies awarded to winners of various categories and all winners receive a medal. Latest finishing time to count for trophies is 4.00pm. The Full Yomp is a FRA registered event, class BL.
Corporate Sponsorship
Builders merchant JT Atkinson have been the principal and ongoing sponsors of the Yomp Mountain Challenge since 2010. The picture shows John Andrew, then President of Upper Eden Rotary Club, receiving the 2010 cheque from Alan Barr, Brach Manager of JT Atkinson in Kirkby Stephen with members of their staff looking on. John expressed his thanks on behalf of the club for the continued and greatly valued support of the Yomp by JT Atkinson.Individual Sponsorship
The Yomp is the major annual fund raising event of the Rotary Club of Upper Eden and all money raised is donated to charity. The nominated charities that will benefit in 2012 are: Hospice at Home; Leukemia Research; and Vision Aid. Please help us to raise money if you can. We encourage Yompers to raise money for their favourite charities through sponsorship but would kindly ask that some money is donated to the Upper eden Rotary Club to allow the club to support its good causes. We respectfully request that a minimum of 25% of sponsorship raised be paid to us for our nominated charities.
Poster
If you would like to help advertise the Yomp Mountain Challenge you can download a poster by clicking on the 'Yomp Poster' button below.
Accommodation
Local accommodation for visiting Yompers is available in hotels, b&b and caravan/camping sites. See links below.
Kirkby Stephen
Ravenstonedale
Kirkby Stephen Tourist Information Centre
