Race report by: Karen Clark
Race date: 12th April 2025

I had seen the flyers for this inaugural event and I was tempted! It was close to the London Marathon and I didn’t want to risk an injury so I had been deliberating on entering until the 11^th Hour.

As the closing date approached, I was staying on the Isle of Man, with a group of Derbyshire Guide Leaders and guides. Connection to the internet was patchy.

I was sat having my early morning cup of tea before the girls got up, when one of the other leaders said that we had access to the internet. By chance, I noticed that it was the last day to enter the event. I was meant to take part in this event! I started the online application and waited for the payment to clear. Success, I had managed to secure a place before the application closed.

The event was organised by First Light Adventures, with a dual purpose:-

1. to encourage women to try trail running in a supportive environment and
2. to raise much needed funds for The Elm Foundation.

The Elm Foundation is a local charity supporting adults, young people and children, affected by domestic abuse. This was planned as a one-off event to coincide with the pink moon, on Saturday 12^th April 2025.

First Light Adventures received so many positive comments and feedback from participants and volunteers that another event is planned for 2026. (The date has now been set for Saturday 4^th April 2026 and entries have opened).

The event started at 4pm. I will use the term event, not race, as it was about inclusion and coming together to support a worthy cause, as well as encouraging women to challenge themselves. It was a very warm Saturday afternoon and still around 24 degrees at 4pm.

Parking was available free of charge at race HQ, together with women only toilets. (Facilities were available for male supporters and volunteers).

Ladies who were inexperienced or thought that they might need more than 2 hours to complete the distance were invited to start at 3:30pm. This was to try and have everyone finish at around the same time.

It was made clear to all that the 3:30pm, start was for ladies who needed extra time. It wasn’t an option to start early, complete the event quickly and leave.

The opening ceremony started with a representative from The Elm Foundation giving thanks on behalf of the charity and wishing participants a successful run. This was followed by the safety briefing.

The group starting at 3:30pm were then taken to the start line, on the lane next to the event HQ.

The rest of us, started at 4:00pm. The route is a scenic, out and back course, with a turning loop at the end. The course runs through Sutton Springs Wood and onto the Five Pits Trail. There are road crossings. There is quite a lot of traffic, travelling at speed. However, there were several marshals on hand to assist at the road crossings.

The beauty of this event was the camaraderie. Some ladies, like myself had entered as individuals, not knowing any other participants, others had entered with a friend and some as larger groups. On the day, running conditions were challenging, due to the heat but all women were supporting each other. No one needed to feel alone.

The event was more of a social occasion; friendship and supporting each other to complete the course safely, rather than about aiming for a personal best.

I dropped my water on the route out. Two young women, who had travelled from Manchester to participate in the event shared their water, as they were so concerned that I didn’t have water, in the warm conditions.

There was an aid station at the turn around point. Water, squash and sweets were available. (Another aid station would have been welcome, maybe at the 3.5/9.5 mile point, due to the heat. To be fair, First Light wouldn’t have predicted those soaring temperatures, when they planned the event).

On the return back to base, I passed most of the runners heading towards the turn around loop. Everyone was praising and encouraging each other.

On the return stretch, the young women that I had been running along with needed to ease their pace. One of them handed me her water flask, pleading with me to take it, in case I needed more water, as she could share with her friend. Such an act of kindness.

As I crossed the finish line, I was handed a medal and awarded the first spot prize. This was unexpected. I chose a bottle of wine.