Fastpacking
Forget racing... Let’s go fastpacking!
Just because you run, it doesn’t mean you have to race. Why not make your next goal more about adventure and less about those PBs…
Words Emma Harrison
With thousands of races to sign up to, it’s no easy task to pick where the next goalposts should sit. When making plans for new challenges, this deliberation can make us wonder whether the challenge should be a race at all and with that in mind, let us introduce you to distance trail running, or ‘fastpacking’ as an option you may not have considered.
Fastpacking is what it says on the tin: pack light, move fast, and cover ground much quicker than you do when walking. It’s a very efficient way to experience the trails, so long as you give yourself time to enjoy it – and take those obligatory snaps you’ll share afterwards, of course.
Perhaps you’re new to running, or maybe running is part of your weekly routine, but either way, if you’re feeling ready for a new challenge, this is definitely one to consider. The best way to start with fastpacking is to pick a location you’re excited to see so that you'll look forward to it. You might be tempted to venture further than you ever have before or cover more ground than your previous adventures, but try to remember that, although your route can be ambitious, it mustn’t be unachievable. The trails need to be safe, easy to plan and the stop-offs need to be affordable and realistic, so you don’t get caught having to sleep among the trees without a tent!