Gofar Definitions

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Ultra Distance

There are undoubtedly different views on what constitutes ultra-distance as opposed to long-distance or even whether there is any difference at all!  For the purposes of this site the general benchmark for inclusion is a route of  30 miles or 50 km with 6000 feet of ascent.  Only self-defining peak bagging routes are included, no further route description should be needed.

Challenge

This is something which can be completed at any time and at your own initiative in one continuous outing.  Races and other types of event organised on specific dates are excluded from this site.   For the purposes of this site national or regional trails, such as the Pennine Way or Calderdale Way, which have some form of official blessing are excluded.  Challenges fall into two categories - formal or informal as described below.

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Formal or Official

These are routes where there is an official recorder to register successful completions and supply information on the route.  There are also usually set criteria for completing the route such as a time limit. 

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Informal

These are routes without any official recorder and usually without any time limit although they must be completed in one continuous outing.

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Approaches

These fall into three main categories.

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Supported:  where pre-arranged roadside or fell support from others is used to provide food, drink, navigation or pacing etc

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Self-supported:  where no pre-arranged support is used, instead supplies can be stashed en-route or purchased from shops and cafes etc.

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Unsupported or self sufficient: where everything is carried, although water can be taken from natural sources

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The above can be joint or solo ventures. In addition, a further, more adventurous and non-competitive, category might be added - Explorer.

Explorer:  where solo, unsupported attempts are undertaken ‘on-sight’ (with no prior route recce, although parts of a route may already be known from previous excursions) and ‘traditional’ (where navigation is by map and compass, not by GPS devices).

FRA definitions

Record contenders should refer to the more precise guidelines and definitions now published under the Long Distance Awards section of the annual FRA Handbook. 

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