This new race in fell running terms, having started in 2022, is only 6.3k, a walk in the park I may hear you say?
Factor in 372m of climb within the first third of the race, moorland pathways used for centuries, stiles and winding technical descents and you can see why the winner struggles to beat 30 minutes.
The route starts outside Chinley Bar and Lounge and runs along main road before turning right and up through Chinley Nature Reserve. It then starts to ascend up Sandy Lane and up again onto Cracken Edge. Next, a drop down a steep descent and into the bottom which doesn’t really give you a chance to catch your breath before another steep climb is in front of you which brings you out just below the Big Stone. You then run (walk) up to the Big Stone.
Thankfully, this is the turn point, before descending back along the tops and then turning down the technical descent out onto the road and following this back through the village to the Chinley Bar where you started.
Three amber warriors made the trip across the hill to test our skills over the terrain and all performed admirably.
Katie Walshaw finished 6th overall in 34.29, taking 1st lady and the course record by over 90 seconds.
I managed a very creditable 12th in 36.04 and was first in my age category.
Mark Henderson finished in 55.28 and as always gets my utmost admiration for racing and being so competitive in these races over the hardiest of terrains, sincerely well done!!
Starting at 7.30 pm and not a great distance away, it is a race that I would really recommend to those wishing to hone their fell running skills – just make sure the Woodhead Pass isn’t closed for carriageway work when you are trying to get home, the chippy had been closed over an hour by the time we all returned!!
