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Spirit of Axnfell Recce
Join us on August 29, 2026, for the Spirit of Axnfell Recce, a challenging training session covering two-thirds of the iconic race route. Get ready for a tough day on the fell with potentially tricky conditi...
Book
First session free
At a glance
- Meeting pointBungalow car park, Mountain Road, Isle of Man
- Session typeTraining Session
- Distance30 km
- Elevation650 m
What to expect
Axnfell is renowned as one of the toughest races on the MFR calendar. Although this recce is only around two-thirds of the size of the actual event, it is still going to be a tough day out on the fell, potentially in difficult conditions.
Please dress appropriately. Most of the route is on overgrown trods and rough, heathery fell. There is also a rough trail section up the St Luke’s track.
There is plenty of bog between Brandywell Road and the Millennium Way bridge, around the Snaefell Mines section, and around the Windy Corner section.
Meeting point
Bungalow car park, Mountain Road, Isle of Man
Click the pin to get directions.
Meet your coach
Qualified coaching, clear guidance and a supportive environment for every athlete.
About the Coach
I’m Orran, a Mountain Leader and running coach with a background in endurance sport, mountain environments, and group leadership.
My work sits at the intersection of coaching, guiding, and long days in serious terrain. I support people to move well, make good decisions, and enjoy being in challenging environments, whether that’s on a mountain walk, a fell run, or an endurance project that matters to them.
I’m a fully qualified Mountain Leader (Summer) and hold multiple England Athletics coaching and leadership awards, including Coach in Running Fitness and Trail, Mountain and Fell Running Leader. I work freelance and am fully insured, first aid trained, DBS checked, and safeguarding aware.
My approach
I believe good coaching and leadership is calm, thoughtful, and adaptable. I focus on:
Clear decision making in changing conditions
Appropriate pacing for individuals and groups
Building confidence without pushing beyond what’s sensible
Creating days that feel purposeful, safe, and enjoyable
I’m comfortable working with mixed abilities and enjoy helping people develop skills, resilience, and trust in themselves over time.
Mountain and endurance experience
I have extensive experience across the UK’s main mountain areas, including Snowdonia, the Lake District, the Peak District, and Scotland, with time spent in more remote and serious environments such as Torridon and the Cairngorms.
Alongside group leadership, I have a strong personal endurance background. I’ve completed the Spine Race (Winter) twice, finishing in the top 10 on both occasions. That experience has shaped how I approach leadership: staying methodical under fatigue, navigating accurately in poor conditions, and making good decisions when it matters.
Who I work with
I work with:
- Runners and endurance athletes
- People new to the mountains looking to build confidence
- Experienced individuals preparing for longer or more committing objectives
- Groups wanting well-organised, supportive days in the hills
Whether the goal is performance, learning, or simply a good day out, my focus is always on doing things properly and safely.