Mells Scenic 7
Mells Scenic 7 news
The Mells Scenic Race will take place this year on Sun 24 Sep. The race is a FRC owned, managed and organised event which relies on the help and support of club members to make it a success. The race has been running for several years, although we have not put on a full race since 2019 due to covid, We did however organise a virtual event in 2020. The committee is therefore keen to get it going again as it was a popular race with between 100 and 150 runners.
We have changed the route for this years race to make it easier to marshall, and have changed the name from the Mells Scenic 7, to just the Mells Scenic race to represent the change. Even with an easier route we still need a lot of marshalls to make the race a success (approx 20-25), plus people to help in race HQ on the day, so please mark the date in your diaries now and keep it free (and feel free to rope in family and friends to help - the more the merrier!!). We will need help on the day from about 0900 until 1330. The race starts and finishes at Mells Cricket Club.
For those that don't know about the race, it is just over 7 miles long and is a lovely race, predominantly off road. It goes along the river at Mells, into Great Elm, it will then go along the cycle path (route change) until the Mells turn off, then loops round some nice footpaths and back into Mells. I will organise some dates to run the route nearer to Sep so people can familiarise themselves with the route and marshalling points.
In addition to helping on the day I am looking for a few volunteers to help with organising the race. I am looking for volunteers to assist with the following:
1. Publicity. This will include contacting local clubs, getting flyers to events, getting info on social media etc.
2. Sponsorship. Contacting a few local companies to try and get deals on prizes and goodies.
3. Risk Assessment assistance. I will write the required risk assessments, but need someone to proof-read and check I haven't missed anything.
4. Medical Liaison. Mainly required on the day to liaise with the company providing the medical cover for the race, but also just to stay in touch with the company on the run up to the race to make sure they have all the info they need.
If you are able to help please contact me on ms7@fromerunningclub.co.uk. I will provide periodic updates and keep you all posted on how the planning is progressing. More information on Marshalling and the jobs required on race day will be sent nearer the time.
Regards
Vicki Trundle
Virtual Mells Scenic 7 - 2020 Route Description
The route starts and finishes at the Talbot pub in Mells (BA11 3PN) – There is parking along the street outside the pub.
With the pub on your left run towards to village centre/shop/café, passing the war memorial on your left. After the shop/café take the 2nd left turn along the road towards Great Elm. Please run on the right hand side of the road, facing the traffic in accordance with the highway code.
After 250-300m turn right through the gateway onto the path that runs along the river (the river will be on your right). Follow the path along the river and past the old iron works. When the path becomes a tarmac driveway follow for approx. 50m then take the path off to the right, staying alongside the river. When you reach the bridge cross the river and continue following the path, now with the river on your left. This is the first diversion from normal route – do not climb the steep hill onto Mells Estate land, continue to follow the river path. When you meet a junction of paths turn right, almost back on yourself, with the river on your left. Follow the path, crossing the railway line (TAKE CARE and check both ways for trains before crossing). Follow the path to the right heading up the hill, take care the stones can often be slippery. At the top of the hill turn left, almost back on yourself and follow the path (approx. 500m) until you see a steep path down to your left, heading to the duck pond in Great Elm. Take the path downhill, take care it is steep and can be slippery. At the bottom go through the gateway onto the road, turn left, cross the bridge and follow the road round to the left heading up hill, turn almost immediately right and follow the steep path up to the main road at the top of the hill.
Turn right onto the main road and follow it for approx. 175m, again running on the right-hand side of the road, facing the traffic in accordance with the highway code. Turn left by the converted chapel and follow the road downhill, past the end of Colliers Way cycle path and under the old railway bridge and continue to follow the road to the corner where the road bends right, take the footpath heading straight on. After crossing the stile head up hill through the field, heading for the small wooded area in the top left corner. In the wooded area cross the stile into the next field and head to the top of the hill, from here you will see a stile on your left, cross it into the next field and head for the wooded area in the right hand corner of the field (the path should go diagonally across the field but due to crops you may need to follow the right hand side fence). Go through the gate and follow the path until you see an open gateway on your right (40m), turn right and cross the field diagonally right downhill, heading for the bottom right hand corner, where you will find a bridge. Cross the bridge and turn left, follow the path along the edge of 4 fields, keeping the hedge on your left (This is the second diversion from normal route - do not go along the side of the chicken sheds and through the farmyard). When you reach the field with the new farmhouse on your left at the top, follow the path diagonally across the field to the open gateway which brings you out on the road.
Turn left and follow the road round the right and up the steep hill towards Buckland Dinham. After passing the first few houses turn left onto the track. Follow the track for approx. 1200m until you hit a tarmac section at the entrance to a large farm (Hill House Farm). Cross straight over onto the footpath and follow up into the grassy field, follow the right hand hedge until you come to a stile, cross the stile and follow the path along the right hand side of the wooded area, once the field opens up, go across the middle, heading for the stile in the middle on the other side, After the stile follow the path across the middle of the next field, heading for the wooded area on the right, where you will find a short path taking you onto the road, take care exiting the path onto the road as this is a small lane.
Turn left onto the road and head down the road towards Mells, crossing the cycle path. Where the road has a 90 degree bend to the left continue straight into the field ahead of you. The footpath should go left diagonally across the field, but often due to crops you will need to follow the right hand field edge until you reach the left hand corner of the field, follow the path across the middle of the next field and cross the stile into the grass field behind Mells church. Follow the path to the left corner of the church wall then head left aiming for the stile in the bottom left corner of the field, cross the stile and head rightwards down the road towards the war memorial. At the memorial turn right for the final sprint to the finish at the Talbot pub!
2019 Mells MS7 route
The race will be run anti-clockwise around the course shown on the map. There may be tweaks to this route, but it will be very similar to this on the day.
Please note. We are not starting from Mells Post Office. Please see route information below. We’ll post more information along with new photos shortly.
Start! We’ll start at the T Junction at the bottom of Gay St (outside Bridge House). Then we’ll run towards Mells, crossing the road at Mells Post Office. Marshals will guide you across the road. Keep going around 300m on road then turn right along a wide, smooth track through Vallis. Past the old Ironwork ruins, the track narrows then we rejoin the river Frome until crossing a bridge, heading up hill away from the river, then rejoining on the other side of the hill. We then cross the railway and head uphill onto the Mendip way and back down to the duck pond in Great Elm.
From the bottom of Great Elm, a short, sharp climb up to the Frome road. Listen to the marshalls carefully here as you will have to cross the road and head left down a lane to a railway bridge. Under the bridge and round the corner, then back off road for a tough climb up to the top of Barrow Hill (nice views if you stop to take them in). You’ll fly down the other side of the hill, then run out past Barrow Hill Farm, and back onto the road for a tiny bit before heading left for a sharp climb up to Buckland Dinham (water point). Crossing a country lane you’ll join a bridlepath. After that a couple of footpaths with lovely views to the South where you can see Mells (the finish) about 2km away. You’ll join the road here for about 600m before heading through a couple of fields and coming out overlooking Mells Church (final resting place of war poet Siegfried Sassoon).
From here you’ll rejoin the road, round the corner past Mells’ famous war memorial and a fast finish up the main street and into the cricket club.
Race Day Information
How do I get to Mells?
Car parking is at Mells Cricket Club, near to the Talbot Inn, Mells. BA11 3PN.
Once you get close to Mells there will be signs, and there will be marshalls directing you into the car park.
When should I arrive?
The race starts at 11am, with a race briefing at 10:45am, then a short 2-3 minute walk to the start line, so please make sure to arrive in plenty of time. If you’re entering on the day please bear in mind that there could be a queue for registration.
What kind of kit will I need?
The course is all off road apart from a very short on road section at the start and finish. Have a look at the route for details. Off-road shoes are advised if you have them. If not, you will be fine in road shoes but there will be muddy sections especially if there's rain!
What facilities are available?
Tea, cakes, toilets, nearby pub and cafe.
What kinds of prizes are there?
Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female. Memento to all finishers, spot prizes donated by sponsors and 2 x team prizes.