And... We're off at a Grindleford Gallop..

It's finally time for the challenge to start and why not start without messing around. I have therefore scheduled in 2 marathons in the first weekend. I have just completed the first one and it's great result to get 40km under my belt but in the same breath realising that I have approximately 1600km to go!!

I had the pleasure of Jonny C to accompany me and we chatted about all sorts of crap most of the way round. Mostly about how stupidly fast everyone went off at the start. He came up with a theory that only runners in red vest are allowed to wear calf socks. (I think he was delirious at the time). Thank you JC for your company on the way round.

The race is well organised, marshalled and friendly. Great cakes at all the checkpoints and you even had the option of a sit down cup of coffee at Hassop! Conditions improved all through the run which started in the drizzle, eased, fogged then burnt through to sun by the end. The route passes some classic low trails of the peaks, undulating from Grindleford to Froggatt Bridge, over to Eyam, Great Longstone and on to Bakewell via the Monsal Trail. Then over and into the back of Chatsworth, down past the house and off to Baslow to climb up to Curbar. Once you break the ridge you turn North by the Eagle Stone and head along Baslow Edge, Curbar Edge and lastly Froggatt Edge before running down through Hay Wood to the finish. Well not quite as I ran home as well to make up the mileage.

Great scenery especially in the last 1/2, not just due to the fact that the fog had cleared. Trails were not too muddy considering the amount of rain this winter. I ran the latter part of this route home from Bakewell a few weeks ago and it was awful, but luckily its dried out a lot.

Shoe Choice: Mizuno Wave Harriers. Happy with the choice.
Stats. Distance: 40 km  Elevation: 0.869 km  Total Dist: 40 km  Total Elevation: 0.869 km