FXU Athletics Club - Rate My Hill

ARGAL LOOP HILLS

14/8/2021

The first hills most of our members encounter! For those looking for easy running, Argal reservoir is your answer. Short 40m hills punctuate this route but they are definitely manageable, and an excellent introduction to trail running. If you fancy slightly more of a challenge, head around the reservoir in a clock-wise direction.

Penryn hill

14/8/2021

Lucky first years! Committee members will moan about this hill all through freshers, and likely most of the rest of the year. The main hill in Penryn is perhaps not the steepest hill here, but it is the longest. A 10 minute run from the bottom to Campus is certainly a good work out, and perhaps a great way to gain some confidence before tackling some of the other hills.

AMATA HILL

14/8/2021

Steps on campus getting too much? Try the AMATA hill. Nothing but a minute of pure hill running. If you fancy a bit more go round the corner at the finish and up to the sports hall! Location of Alex's infamous hill session which not a single fresher completed. It has been well received during other hill sessions however. Experienced runners will often attempt to build up as much speed at the beginning before flagging later, sprint finishes are not an option here.

PENRYN HILL OFFSHOOTS

14/8/2021

Finding Penryn hill too long? Simply follow the main road out of Penryn a bit longer and turn off up one of the many offshoots. Taking anything from from 30 to 50 seconds, the Penryn Hill offshoots are excellent hills for practicing technique before hitting the trails. Short, steep, and fast, running form is everything here. Some of our most popular hill sessions are run here and whilst you will find many different approaches to the hill (taking a run up to build momentum, starting slow and then getting faster, slow and steady), one thing you can guarantee is the difference between those that simply survive and those that thrive is technique.

THE GREENBANK

14/8/2021

Running through town from Penryn? Greenbank is your hill. Smooth and gradual, not all of the committee is convinced it is a hill. But it has good views, which is an excuse enough to include it in our hill sessions. In hill sessions it is something of a race track, front runners will frequently go sub 40 seconds and sometimes even our sprinters will get in on the action! If you fancy a twist, continue round the corner instead of finishing and sprint the final 100m for the bollard. Social runs through this area are often infrequent, but it is still one of the most popular sections to include in our members' own runs.

FALMOUTH TOWN TO PENDENNIS POINT

14/8/2021

An extremely popular hill with those looking for a scenic route on roads. Unforgettable scenery and a cruisy downhill immediately afterwards, make the hill worthwhile. Perhaps not the best hill to include in a run at a faster pace though!

Dracaena

14/8/2021

No matter whether you run or hide, Dracaena will find you. One of our ex-Cross Country Captain Josh's favourite hills, Dracaena has been the site of some of our most legendary hill reps. A sweeping reasonably flat 400m from McDonalds allows runners to hit the hill faster than they would like. A quick and furious 300m follows often resulting in lead runners flagging and lactic acid inducing sprint finishes. Often a hill left by hill sessions until late in the second term, in the first term it is often the territory of runners from Penryn attempting to reach the beaches. For some walking is mandatory, for others simply a choice

A39/COLLEGE RESERVOIR

14/8/2021

Another Alex special. Hills don't get more technical than this. Whilst not necessary for any routes as there is a much more accessible route around the outside of the field, what isn't there to love about this hill? Exceptionally steep, often muddy, and arguably one of Falmouth's most scenic hills, all social runners will be given the opportunity to have a go at this hill during the year. Once used for a hill session by Alex, no one completed it and it was generally accepted to be impossible to run at any pace where there was a perceived benefit from. Maybe it will make a return at some point...

Packsaddle

14/8/2021

Access hill to the Kennal Vale route. Short, but steep and challenging; this is not a hill for the feint of heart. Is the route worth it? Always. Is running it? Perhaps not. Walking this hill is not something to be ashamed of. Rumoured to once have been the location of a hill session, if it was, it hasn't been done since.

Marlborough Avenue

14/8/2021

Perhaps the easiest route back from Swanpool to Campus. A nice easy climb with a small gradient, this hill takes your from behind Marlborough School to the Rugby Club. Hill sessions here can be surprisingly tough as they start around the corner from the hill. This results in a short sharp 15m climb followed by a smoother 200m sprint for the finish. Runners unaware of this hill will typically head off too fast only to be caught by more experienced runners later on.

SWANPOOL TO MAENPORTH

14/8/2021

An excellent introduction to more serious trail running! Nothing too strenuous but just enough to get you breathing heavily. Good technique will see you comfortably through and ready to enjoy one of Falmouth's most accessible pieces of coastal path.

MAENPORTH TO SWANPOOL

14/8/2021

A different animal. Manageable? Yes. Tiring? Yes. A 2-3 minute climb out of Maenporth, great views everywhere but a tough hill to enjoy. Still worth it for the route.

BISSOE SPOIL HEAP

14/8/2021

Yes, that is a spoil heap. No, it isn't necessary. Yes everyone does it. After running Bissoe more than once it will become the highlight of your run. Strava segments abound and picking your route is just as important as how fast you run.

PENMERE HILL

14/8/2021

A popular hill session, Penmere has everything you could want! Steep inclines, fast finishes, and plenty of different approaches. Experienced runners may choose any number of different ways to run a hill rep to suit their style. From holding back for a fast finish, to leading from the front, or sitting on other runner's shoulders. Penmere is one of the best spots to get competitive, despite it's looks it is also one of the most accessible hill reps for new members, certainly giving you the confidence to take on greater challenges.

HILLHEAD

14/8/2021

Dracaena's older brother... If you are feeling masochistic and fancy taking a different route towards Falmouth, why not try Hillhead. Unlikely to feature in hill sessions, it has been host to a couple in the past. Long, steep, and unforgiving, everyone remembers the first time they conquer it. Most intend to keep that particular experience in the past rather than the present or future. Pretty much obligatory now for future Cross Country Captain's to get on the Hillhead segment leader board on Strava. Only going to feature in social running by specific request. Otherwise we will keep it those brave few. At this point it has a more exclusive group of summiteers than Everest. For those who feel no option but to give it a go, the only option for a fast time is to go out fast and try and keep as consistent as possible. If you start slow you won't make up the time, if you begin to slow down your time will crash.

MAENPORTH WOODS

14/8/2021

Steep but over quickly. A nice route to switch up your routes near Maenporth. Not for beginners, and not possible during winter when the rain starts.