Race Date: Wednesday 18th June 2025

Race Report 1 by Russell Stevenson

Finishing a days work, I always remind myself how fortunate we are in this neck of the woods to be able to just decide to run or race midweek (or whenever we like for that matter) in the beautiful Peak District. So with this thought in mind, it was off to Castleton on a glorious Wednesday evening for the 7th race of the Striders Fell Championship series 2025, the DCRO (Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation) Dash. A worthy cause to support with our entry fees.

The race registration point in the Speedwell Cavern car park, at the foot of Winnats Pass(!) provided daunting surroundings in terms of looming steep hillsides. I’d done a bit of race prep and the contour lines on the course map had no more than a hair’s width between them at the starting point, oooff.

The race start was on a hillside, a straight up, steep, leg wobbling lung buster. According to Strava, the initial 1.2km distance ascended 160 metres of climb, near impossible to run and I’d decided pre race to take this easy and not zap the legs, I didn’t really get going as such until well over 2km in.

The route passed over some undulating moorland and included plenty of tricky stiles to navigate on jelly legs. We reached the race summit at 460 metres ascent just after half way with runners now steadily descending fields and moorland towards Castleton in the distance and Mam Tor in sight to our left.

Grateful to the race marshal who provided a good vocal warning prior to one stile resembling Becher’s Brook, had it not been for the shout of “steep over the other side”, I think a few may have come a cropper, self included.

The race finished with a steep descent down the hillside from where we started and briefly along a levelish rocky path to the finish line. I’m a little more crap at running down hills than I am going up ‘em and a number of more nimble and daring runners deservedly passed me towards the end. The midges were merciless at this point as red and sweaty finishers flopped on the hillside.

A fair turnout of Striders on a beautiful evening which certainly provided a good workout.

Race Report 2 by Richard Carter

The DCRO dash was held on Wednesday 18th June in unusually seasonal conditions of blue skies and warm sunshine. It is a BS fell race with 5.3 miles (8.5K) and 1263 ft (370m) of ascent. The course runs through the fields and hills south west of Castleton in cave country. The event is a big fundraiser for the Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation.

I can’t think of a steeper start line than this one. We assembled in a field and, as sheep looked on, we were soon off up an ascent which at times became an improvised scramble. At the top it started to get a little easier and then the middle section of the run was undulating through the white peak fields and paths. The last mile and a half was a sweeping descent back towards the finish, not too technical, really enjoyable.

There were 84 runners including 9 striders. First male was Joe Mercer of Pennine Fell Runners in 36.00. First female was Katia Tastagh of Dark peak Fell Runners in 48.37.

Striders Results