Grindleford Gallop 2013

Covering approximately 21 miles and 3000ft of ascent the course takes in the villages of Grindleford, Froggatt, Eyam, Great Longstone, Edensor and Baslow linking them together with paths, tracks and open moorland of the White Peak. 

http://www.grindlefordgallop.co.uk/

It was a cold mass start, with 350 people hoping to get to the narrow pathway along the Derwent before it got too crowded, which it inevitably did, no one likes to queue for the gates or stlyes. After running through Eyam you head over Longstone Moor, passing through a large number of the tallest styles I have ever seen, some of them 4 steps high. Along part of the Monsal Trail, a lovely solid cinder path without the slightest hint of mud, halfway there. :)

Heading to the outskirts of Bakewell, across the golf course (make sure you hit the gong first), and up the steep and extremely muddy forest track, wow that really takes it out of you. A long run down boggy fields into Chatsworth Park, and a welcome change of running surface sees you pounding in the grounds of Chatsworth House along tarmac paths all the way to the final checkpoint in Baslow. The final 700ft climb, not nice at the 16 mile point, onto Baslow Edge leaves you with a 3 mile run to the finish along Froggatt Edge and down hill through woods, and across the bridge into Grindleford. 

Don't forget to dib your dibber, don't want to be disqualified after all that.

Mark Wilson MV40 03:14:59

Robert Haworth MV50 04:08:15