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Event info
Grasmere Lakeland Sports Hike and Fly Race
The Grasmere Sports has been going since the mid-19th century - longer than the modern Olympics, this year we are stepping things up a notch, with the inaugural Grasmere Hike and Fly event - a challenging race to goal, flying around the rugged mountains and amphitheatre of the Grasmere valley.
Flying site
The event is fast and furious hike and fly race in the beautiful arena of the Grasmere Valley, with open fell tops and wide valley bottoms it is an ideal location for all hike and fly pilots.
The idea is to hike and fly the course as quickly as possible and then race back to the finish.
Contacts
-
admin
- Paul Abbott
- 07840059561
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
race director
- John Westall
- 07884037144
- john.westall@googlemail.com
-
race director
- Richard Bungay
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
organiser
- Phil Hewitson
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
organiser
- Mike Williams
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
Commentary
- Chris Field
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
Event info
Grasmere Lakeland Sports Hike and Fly Race
The Grasmere Sports has been going since the mid-19th century - longer than the modern Olympics, this year we are stepping things up a notch, with the inaugural Grasmere Hike and Fly event - a challenging race to goal, flying around the rugged mountains and amphitheatre of the Grasmere valley.
There are just 12 places available this year for competitors - a trial run, to "prove the concept" - with the hope that in future years we can open this up to a bigger audience of pilots.
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND SAFETY
1. Your BHPA card must be shown at the registration on the 24 August 2025.
2. All competitors need to be BHPA PILOT RATED before registration opens. (24 August 2025)
3. All competitors must have BHPA insurance.
4. An “assumption of risk” form must be completed at registration.
5. A mobile phone is compulsory.
6. Mobile coverage on the Lakeland Fells is limited. A satellite beacon, such as an InReach or SPOT, is strongly recommended as a personal emergency SOS device.
7. All flying equipment must be homologated in an airworthy condition and be BHPA approved and comply with the latest edition of the following EN certification standards:
• Paraglider: EN 926-2 and 926-1 or LTF 91/09 (including CCC FAI class), having aspect ratio under 7,2.
• Harness: EN 1651 with certified protection, or LTF 91/09.
• Emergency parachute: EN 12491 or LTF 91/09.
• Helmet: EN 966 or snowboarding EN 1077 class is accepted.
8. As well as the live-tracking GPS device supplied by the event organisers, every competitor should carry their own GPS device to make a back-up recording of their track.
9. Please sign up with Puretrack.io as we will be using this at the event for safety.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://puretrack.io/trackers&ved=2ahUKEwic-M25jsiLAxW1U0EAHTRYFmkQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3m5U7dgl94crXGrcqKrthC
10. Flying Rules :
- All entrants hold final responsibility for their own safety, both flying and on the ground.
- Cloud flying is not allowed and will be penalised. The type of penalty applied will be agreed by the Task Committee but might include disqualification.
- All pilots need to follow Airlaw, UK flying code and rules of the Cumbria Soaring Club.
- Tandem entries will only be allowed at the absolute discretion of the event organisers. They will be scored as if they were a single competitor.
11. No vehicular transport is allowed during the Challenge .
12. Competitors must carry all their flying equipment at all times.
13. Update your AirTribune details in good time.
Ensure you join the Grasmere Official Telegram Competitors and Chat Groups. Competitors Official Group: https://t.me/+NOBtKc8V3mc3NWVk - Competitors Chat Group: https://t.me/+-1ljBwtvDTo3MmFk
Ensure you join the Grasmere Pure Track group:
https://puretrack.io/join/grasmere-lakeland-sports
At the discretion of the Task Committee, rules published on this site may be adjusted/changed and will be notified as early as possible to all registered participants on the Grasmere official telegram group.
Selection and entry fee
All entrants require a PILOT RATING, meaning you must have passed your BHPA pilot rating before August 2025 to take part.
There are 12 places for those who register, If successful, entrants will be invited to pay £25. If the payment is not received within two days of acceptance your place will be given to the first competitor on the waiting list.
Cancellation Policy
If the organisers have to cancel more than four weeks prior to the event, then all payments will be offered for refund although entrants may opt to allow their unused entry fee to go forward to help cover costs.
The event will proceed regardless of the weather.
Prize fund and scoring categories
1st Place: Winners Trophy and £100 - 1st Female/Male: £100
2nd Place: £50
3rd Place: £20
General schedule
Saturday 23 August:
Free parking and camping available at the Distillery next to the sports ground if required
Sunday 24 August:
08:00 - 08:30 - Registration opens
09:00 - 09:30 - Briefings
09:30 - 10:00 - Issue Trackers
10:30 - Start Race
14:00 - Race Finish
14:30 - Prize-Giving
Evening Celebrations
Monday 25 August:
Depart from the Distillery
Daily schedule
Saturday 23 August:
Free parking and camping available at the Distillery next to the sports ground if required
Please park considerately
http://maps.apple.com/place?coordinate=54.455030,-3.021658&name=Marked%20Location&map=h
Sunday 24 August:
08:00 - 08:30 - Registration opens
Registration opens at the Distillery, please be prompt as timings are tight.
09:00 - 09:30 - Briefings
After registration the race format and rules will be briefed to all the competitors
09:30 - 10:00 - Issue Trackers
All trackers will be activated and issued
10:30 - Start Race
The Race will start in the show ground, all competitors will set off and head to the first waypoint
14:00 - Race Finish
The race will finish at 14:00, all competitors must return by this time or they will be disqualified
14:30 - Prize-Giving
Evening Celebrations
Monday 25 August:
Depart from the Distillery
Accommodation and Activities
FREE PARKING is provided near the Grasmere Show Ground at the Distillery. This can be overnight if required, both before and after the event.
https://maps.apple.com/place?coordinate=54.455030,-3.021658&name=Marked%20Location&map=h
How to get here
1 Stock Ln, Grasmere, Ambleside LA22 9SJ, UK
Grasmere United Kingdom
Downloads
Waypoint files
Organizers
Contacts
-
admin
- Paul Abbott
- 07840059561
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
race director
- John Westall
- 07884037144
- john.westall@googlemail.com
-
race director
- Richard Bungay
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
organiser
- Phil Hewitson
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
organiser
- Mike Williams
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com
-
Commentary
- Chris Field
- paul.thomas.abbott@gmail.com