Race date: Saturday 13th September 2025
Race report by Lucy Davies

The 9 Edges event run by Edale Mountain Rescue is a fell run, covering 20 miles (closer to 21 according to my watch!) and about 900 metres of ascent from Fairholmes Visitor Centre to the Robin Hood pub near Baslow, including 9 of the Peak District’s gritstone edges. I entered the run but you can also do it as a walker or climber.

This was my longest ever run by a few miles and I spent a lot of time over the summer training and getting to know the route because there’s no GPS navigation allowed. I did it with a friend who lives in Morecambe so I was in the role of chief navigator.

The weather forecast was pretty good in a weekend of very mixed weather and everyone looked happy collecting their numbers at Fairholmes. I was glad to finally be here getting it done after lots of prep and nerves!

Walkers could set off earlier but the runners set off en masse at 10am for the first steep climb up Hollin Clough. There are 7 checkpoints along the route – the route between checkpoints isn’t marked and you can choose how to go but most of the route is obvious since it follows the edges.

I had known not to rely on following the crowd because I was going to be one of the slower runners but I was amazed by how quickly the field spread out and we couldn’t really see anyone ahead of us! On the plus side it made for a peaceful first few miles with stunning views.

Once we got on to Stanage Edge it was much busier with the crowds of walkers and climbers you would expect on a sunny Saturday. I found this one of the hardest parts of the route – I tripped so many times I can’t believe I managed to stay upright and it was very blustery. There were some big rain clouds coming but they held off until we got down to Burbage.

The Burbage section is much easier underfoot with a long gentle downhill on through Longshaw. We got absolutely drenched but the sun came out again and dried us as we headed up on to Froggatt Edge. Around 14 miles and I was really starting to feel it in my legs but having done this part of the route before I knew there was nothing too challenging ahead and that I could make it even if I had to walk bits.

After all the beautiful edges and amazing views the last mile or so is pretty boring. It takes a narrow rough path through the bracken below Birchen Edge and I’d had enough by this point – but then the road was in sight, we could hear the pub and even managed something approaching a sprint finish. Motivated by the free pint at the end perhaps?

All in all a recommended event – the organisation was spot on and all of the teams at the checkpoints were really supportive and encouraging. And it’s a fund raiser for Edale Mountain Rescue.

I finished in just over 5 hours 30 minutes which I was really pleased with – I’d had nightmares about missing the 8 hour cut-off! There were 4 other Striders there according to the results.

The first male was Aran Higgs from Long Easton Running Club who completed it in 02:45:18 and first female was Kate Gibson from Totley AC in 02:49:40.