Race date: Saturday 14^th September 2025

Race report by Karen Clark

At the beginning of the year, Run Rebel UK Running Events (UKRE) promoted their new running event, to be held in the grounds of Chatsworth House. The options were a marathon distance, a 30K or a 22K.

I entered the marathon, which was described as 2 loops, within the grounds of Chatsworth. This was an opportunity to run 26 miles locally, on a supported course. The marathon course was to be 2 loops, within the Chatsworth Estate.

A few weeks later, I received an email from UKRE informing participants that due to issues with permission to use part of the land, they were unable to offer a marathon distance. The new offer was a 22K, 15K or 9K. A partial refund was offered, which I accepted. I signed up to 22K.

3 months later there was another update from UKRE. They had sourced a better venue for the event village, Bakewell Showground. However, there would be no on-site parking on the day.

In the following weeks, UKRE continued to promote the event as a trail race, on some posts and as a walk on other posts. Entrants were confused. There were several comments asking for clarity. Was it a walk or a trail run?

The start times, led to further confusion, as different posts on social media suggested that the race started at 8am and other posts, confirmed a start time of 8:30am.

I drove to Bakewell early on race day, with low expectations. Communication hadn’t been exemplary. I parked on a local housing estate, like a few other participants, who had decided that it wasn’t necessary to use the car parks, that we had been signposted to. It was clear from the conversations with other runners, that there was a lot of confusion, due to late changes and lack of information.

Runners had been asked to download a bar code, to be exchanged for a race number on the morning. A bag drop would be available for £3, another hidden cost, as there was no on-site parking, so it was pay £3 or carry your kit.

The queues to collect numbers were long. It didn’t seem feasible that they were going to be able to issue all participants with a number and be ready for an 8:30 start. A couple further back in the queue asked if the start would be delayed. They were told that the race was going at 8:30.

At 8:20, UKRE dispatched marshals with ipads to issue race numbers to runners as they stood in the queues. Runners were directed to tables with pens and pins, as it was a requirement to complete emergency contact details on the back of the race number.

Several portaloos had been hired. Other marshals were deployed to manage the queues and have everyone ready, by handing toilet rolls to the runner at the front of the queue, with instructions to take a sheet(s) of toilet paper and pass it down the queue. The queues moved swiftly, with the management of the marshals.

All runners were in the pen, ready for the briefing at 8:28. As promised, the race started at 8:30.

It had rained heavily the day before. However, as it had been so dry in the lead up to the race, the rain had soaked into the ground and it wasn’t muddy, at all. The drizzle at the start of the morning gave way to sunshine and the temperature began to rise. If anything, it was a bit too warm for running, but the brighter conditions allowed runners to appreciate the views.

The race started in the field, turning out onto the road behind the Agricultural Centre, heading towards Rowsley. The course is undulating, starting with a climb for the first 3 miles. There are some narrow sections, with queuing to pass through gates and navigate styles. The walkers had started at 8am and had spread out. However, some trail paths were busy with both runners and walkers sharing the route.

The route turns out onto the road for a downhill section before taking a turn onto farmland, with a chance to embrace the mud. The route continues towards Carlton Lees, with a road crossing. This was well marshalled. Chatsworth House could be seen in the distance, as promised, as the route continued round towards Edensor. There was another road crossing into the village of Edensor, which was marshalled. The route continued up through the village, before looping back round to Bakewell, offering more undulation and taking in part of the Bakewell Pudding Fell Race route.

Some of the paths were barely runnable, due to the rocky terrain. The route is shared with members of the public; some blissfully unaware that a race was underway. Runners needed to wait while families lifted bikes over narrow gateways, adding extra time to their race.

There were 2 feed stations on the 22K route, which were well stocked with cold drinks, sweets and savoury snacks. UKRE are a sustainable organisation, so runners were asked to carry their own cups or water bottles, which could be filled up, at the stations.

Finishers were presented with medals and goodies at the end of the race.

All in all, it was a pretty route and very relaxed. Despite, having low expectations, I enjoyed the event. I would sign up to the 2026 event, but unfortunately, it is on the same day, as The Great North Run, in 2026.

The race was won by Rory Monti (no club listed) in 1:04:14. The first woman was Ellie Kemp (no club listed) in 1:20:47.

Karen completed the run in 01:49:57.