Race Date: Monday 26th May 2025

A race of two starts and many cakes

This fell race is a lovely community event with all the charm of a locally organised run. There was cake, beer, chips and of course sheepdogs being put through their paces.

Registration was efficient and there were enough loos – a very important detail!! It was even rumoured that there were impressive homemade cake prizes on offer again this year.

After a wander around the stalls and a loo stop it was time to go to the start. I placed myself towards the back of the field to give my legs a gentle warm-up after the previous day’s hills. Today’s race was a last-minute decision after a very hilly Buxton Half Marathon the day before.

Just as we were ready to go there was a shout from the back. We all needed to have our numbers confirmed. I filed through and was duly checked. People were a little confused at this point and moved with some reluctance. Suddenly, a shout from the front started the race. A third of the runners went off up the hill with the main organisers desperately shouting “stop”. The rest of the field watched as the runners quickly disappeared into the distance: – Start Number One.

The message to stop was eventually received and all the runners were finally checked off properly. This thorough checking of numbers at the start was the result of an incident in the previous year. It was at this point that we could have usefully employed the sheepdogs to round everyone up and back into the pen.

We were ready to go again. This time no hitches and we were off down the lane heading for Parkin Clough and Win Hill: – Start Number Two

I quickly got into my stride and began to wish I had started further forward – I never learn! Parkin Clough was as steep and narrow as ever, making overtaking hard. Walkers obligingly stood aside, some cheered whilst others just looked baffled by our madness. A final pull up through the heather and the trig point was in view. The descent was great fun, initially just fast, then technical before a sharp left turn took us back onto a lane to end with a dash to the finish.

I felt surprisingly hungry after the race so queued for chips- but they had run out. I consoled myself with homemade flapjack. I chatted to other runners and watched the sheepdogs for a while before wandering over to look at the results. I wasn’t on the list! I had definitely raced! Other runners were also missing. A quick word with the race organisers and the issue was resolved.

The presentation of prizes was as good as ever. A table laden with beautifully wrapped homemade cakes appeared. Awards were given, starting refreshingly with the female runners. I won the FV60 category or ‘older lady’ category – as it was announced with the prize being a delicious rhubarb and custard cake.

Once all the category prizes were presented there were some cakes remaining. Further awards were made: the best socks; the kindest grandparents (looking after children so their parents could race); people from other countries at the race – two Swiss ladies won this (one being my daughter-in-law); and finally a little girl was given a cake for smiling and putting her hand up.

A successful day’s running – no falls, good fun and a cake to share! A great end to a lovely weekend.

The male race winner was Mark Jones of DPFR in 30.52. The female race winner was Catherine Williams of Sinfin RC in 38.00

Striders results: