Race Date: Friday 2 August 2019

The annual Salt Cellar race, which once again formed part of the Accelerate Gritstone series, was run in bright sunshine on a warm Friday evening. A last-minute route change meant that the rock formation that gives the race its name was missing this year, but the alternative course still offered the same taxing climbs, terrifying descent through darkened woods and, for anyone who could spare a moment from watching where they put their feet, incredible views.

After the traditional mad dash across the grass to get a good position for the punishing dam steps, the 7-mile course headed along the access road before bearing right up the hill on a relentless climb up to the trig point at Back Tor. Runners who’d forgotten their insect repellent could enjoy being temporarily out of range of the midges before taking a turn around the tor and doubling back the way they’d come, as far as Bamfo

rd House. There, they turned left across (and up) the hillside, taking in some short sections of the usual course backwards and making the rest of the 400m climbing the course offers. Then it was a drop back down to the access road, where Matt Surgeon had relocated Trevor’s Gate in order to allow competitors to make their traditional toast to Trevor Burton.

Finally, a mile along the tarmac led to the last mad plunge into the woods and out into the finish zone.

The hundreds of photos across the Striders Facebook page and beyond give a picture of what a great race the Salt Cellar is: the terrain, the atmosphere, the challenge, the organisers and marshals and of course the runners make it an absolute credit to the club.

The race was once again gratefully supported by Accelerate, Inov-8 and Just Natural at Crookes. As always, all profits from the race will be donated to Edale Mountain Rescue.

Final word of thanks has to go to all the Steel City Striders members who volunteered for marshalling duties. There were loads of Striders stationed out on the course providing encouragement and support,. The club committee and Salt Cellar organisers can’t thank you enough, as without you there would be no race.

Thank you everyone for your continued support towards this great event.

Category winners were as follows:

Female
Overall – Megan Wilson (Dark Peak)
SEN – Megan Wilson (Dark Peak)
V40 – Rachel Burton (North Derbyshire RC)
V50 – Julia Nolan (Dark Peak)
V60 – Pat Goodall (Totley AC)

Male
Overall – Ben Hague (Rotherham Harriers)
SEN – Ben Hague (Rotherham Harriers)
V40 – Stuart Bond (Matlock AC)
V50 – Mike Nolan (Dark Peak)
V60 – Bob Foreman (Matlock AC)
V70 – Alan Browne (North Derbyshire AC)

Full results: