Ben Mounsey has raced in some pretty amazing places, and participated in many epic events in recent years, having earned some major achievements, representing Yorkshire, England and Great Britain at numerous European and International mountain running events.
Ben runs for Calder Valley Fell Runners and Stainland Lions, and is supported by Inov-8, Mountain Fueland Suunto.
An avid blogger, Ben keeps us entertained at benmounsey.net where, amongst other things, he recounts his lively adventures in this, the specialist world of fell and mountain running, along with his adventures in Italy.
Photograph taken by Dave McFarlane, courtesy of inov-8. Loughrigg Fell, Lake District, UK
How long have you been passionate about running and what were some of your earliest running achievements?
I’ve not always been a runner. At school I was a footballer, and an average one at best. When I reached university I turned my hand to cycling, something I became quite good at, but ultimately I was guilty of not putting enough effort into my training. I even tried tennis… though my on-court career lasted all of about 30 minutes! I spent a fortune on a new racket, then halfway through the first set smashed it to pieces in a fit of rage! I’m ultra-competitive and I sometimes struggle to channel my aggression in a positive way. In hindsight tennis was not a good idea – Andy Murray can rest easy. I suppose that’s when I found my love for running – a sport so simple and pure, plus there’s no chance of me destroying expensive equipment halfway through a race!
I started running to work out of sheer convenience. It was quicker and cheaper than catching a bus and I didn’t drive at the time. I soon realised that I had some degree of natural talent so I entered a local cross country race. I finished 11th and it didn’t take long before I was searching for another, bigger adrenalin rush. Someone I know suggested I do a fell race and as they say, the rest is history!
Since then I’ve won hundreds of races, at both local and national level, enjoying some amazing experiences and creating priceless memories.
Photograph taken by Dave McFarlane, courtesy of inov-8. Loughrigg Fell, Lake District, UK
When did you start fell running and how was the sport introduced to you?
My first introduction to fell running was in May 2005; the Mytholmroyd Fell Race (West Yorkshire, England). At 6.2 miles and with 1,350ft of ascent, it was, in comparison to some of the other races I now run, a relatively short blast. At the time, however, it hurt like hell. The race started with a steep uphill climb.10 seconds in and my body was working at its full capacity, my lungs were on fire and I was struggling to breathe.
Eventually I reached the summit. I was absolutely shattered and my heart rate was off the scale! By the time I hit the final descent my legs were like jelly; so much so that they didn’t even feel like my own. When I finally got to the finish I was a physical wreck – I’d been battered by both the hills and the weather. I lay flat-out on the floor for about five minutes until I could finally control my breathing and muster enough energy to sit upright. It was by far the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life. Yet, I was instantly hooked and couldn’t wait to do it all over again. Since that first race I’ve never looked back.
Photograph taken by Andy Jackson, Threshfield Quarry, Yorkshire Dales, UK
Tell us about some of the incredible successes you’ve had in the sport and some of the amazing places it’s taken you?
I’ve been fortunate enough to compete at the highest level and against some the very best fell and mountain runners in the world. The start of my international career was in 2011 and since then I’ve represented Great Britain at both the European and World Mountain Running Championships, competed in various GB relay teams, and represented Yorkshire and England on no less than twelve separate occasions. I was also crowned the Yorkshire fell running champion in both 2014 and 2015 and won the inter-counties fell running championship in 2016, whilst also competing for Yorkshire (we also won team gold). I would say that this was my greatest ever race result, given the standard of competition in the event.
In addition to this I’ve won an English Championship race (Blackcombe 2016), finishing 3rdindividual in the open English Championship (2016 season) and won the English, British and British Relay Championshipwith my home club, Calder Valley Fell Runners. Needless to say, I’ve fulfilled every dream and ambition I’ve ever had in the sport of fell and mountain running. My successes in fell running have taken me to places that I would never have imagined I’d ever visit. However, my favourite country by far is Italy. Although I love Northern Italy, I have a special affinity with the Amalfi coast, so for this reason I always return every year to compete, train and spend time with my friends.
I’ve also enjoyed plenty of success in races abroad, the most notable of which was the prestigiousTrofeo Vanoni Relayin Morbegno, Northern Italy, where I finished 2nd individual (and team), at the 2015 edition of the event.
‘Rupert’s Trail’, Amalfi, Italy
Photograph taken by Antonio Naclerio, Trail Degli Dei (Path of the Gods race), Agerola, Italy
What does it feel like when you represent your country in the sport you love?
There is no greater feeling than representing your country in the sport that you love, it’s an honour and a privilege. I appreciate every opportunity that I’ve be given to compete for Yorkshire, England and Great Britain, because I know how hard I’ve had to work for my success. I’ve made some big commitments and sacrifices to achieve these goals and I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved during my career.
Photograph taken by Gwynfor James, World Mountain Running Championship 2015, Betsw-y-coed, North Wales, UK
How hard are you currently training and what races do you have coming up during the rest of this year and beyond?
Currently I’m enjoying a break from the pressures and rigours of international competition. Instead I’ve chosen to focus on just enjoying my running. The plan is to compete in some epic races and take on some pretty awesome personal challenges. Recently, I visited the Isle of Skye and was blown away by its magnificence, the mountainous Scottish landscape is difficult to beat. The following week, I flew to Mallorca and ran the GR221 over a 3 day period, covering 142km with almost 10,000 metres of climb. It was an amazing experience and one I’d seriously recommend to anyone, the views were simply breathtaking. Check out my social media accounts to see the photographs and my description of both experiences.
https://www.facebook.com/ben.mounsey.75
https://twitter.com/@El_CapitanoCVFR/
https://www.strava.com/athletes/901539/badge
https://www.instagram.com/ben_mounsey/
This May, I’ll be returning to Italy in search of new and exciting trails. My plan is to compete in the Trail Del Vesuvio, another race on my bucket list! After all, what could be more thrilling than a trail race on one of the world’s most famous volcanoes!
