High Peak 40

I entered the High Peak 40 as I felt I had recovered well after the CCC and there were several others from Mow Cop Runners who had entered so I thought, why not. The race headquarters was at the Community School in Buxton only 5 minutes from home so I felt compelled to run it with being local now and I wanted to experience and support this longstanding event.

The start was on Broadwalk on the edge of the Pavilion Gardens and home to Buxton AC’s monthly 5km Parkrun. There were a lot of friends and ultra running acquaintances  in the race so it was good to catch up and chat to everyone about their recent adventures far and wide.

After a quick briefing and count down, we were off. Setting off through the park and winding our way out of Buxton, up and over Burbage joining the disused railway line to the first checkpoint. We then had a fast descent down Bunsall incline, a road now but originally it was an old tramway, and dropped down to Fernilee Reservoir. The route skirted alongside the reservoir heading towards checkpoint two at Taxal layby. No glowing green eyed skull to greet us this time like in the DusktilDawn race but then again it wasn’t in the middle of the night this time! I had a quick drink at the checkpoint and then crossed the road and up the hill heading in the direction of Eccles Pike.

We ascended several fields and popped out on the steep country lane that again was familiar from the DusktilDawn route and slowly ascended the road up past Eccles Pike summit and then another steep but fast descent on the road towards Chinley and Checkpoint 3. I felt comfortable with the pace and the miles seemed to be going quite quickly at this stage.

Buxton AC were manning checkpoint 4 so it was nice to see some friendly and familiar faces supporting and cheering me on. Darren was stamping the tally cards. A couple of cups of orange juice and several fig biscuits for the journey, I said my goodbyes and was swiftly on my way again. My intention was to transition the checkpoints quickly without spending too long at them today.

Onwards we went up a stony track where I ate my biscuit. The route continued through Roych Clough gradually but awkwardly on a rocky, rutted path which tested my ankles to the limit. I had an occasional twinge in my left from an old sprain but nothing significant to cause any concern. The track is interspersed with gates and always seems to go on forever to get to the road junction at Rushup Edge. I’d run this section on numerous occasions before so was quite prepared for the mental battle with this.

I went through checkpoint 5 at Rushup Edge and then turned left adjacent to the road to climb up the rough, rocky path. I was on my own now with no other runners I could see in front. I approached a finger post with a yellow arrow pointing left on it. I knew the route went over Rushup Edge but the conversation in my head told me…what if they are taking the route this way and skirting around to join the top of Rushup Edge later on? ….I followed the arrow! Bad judgement! A lesson to trust your gut instinct and not to let the conversations in your head overrule the logic!

I ran down the path and could see another runner in front who had slowed down. He waited for me and queried whether we were on the right path. We agreed that we had followed the wrong arrow, damn! I was later informed the arrow was for a mountain bike race, a mistake that caught a few out last year too. I was annoyed with myself, as the detour cost me about 10-15 minutes. Rushup Edge was now above us and we had to ascend steeply to get back on the right track.

I pushed on then to Mam Nick and it was a quick climb up to the summit of Mam Tor. No time to take in any views, it was misty anyhow plus I was still annoyed at myself! Then a fast run down to Hollins Cross. The slabs were greasy so I chose to run along the old path by the fence which I find is a lot easier to run along. Hollins Cross is deceptive not a cross at all but a view finder! The descent to Castleton from here is on slippy slabs and is rocky and technical. It pays to be fleet-footed and nimble. A friend, just in front, took a nasty tumble and I waited to see if he was ok before carrying on down into the village to arrive at Checkpoint 6.

Onwards and upwards! It is a long ascent up through Cave Dale but I’m always happier ascending this path rather than descending it as the limestone can be particularly treacherous underfoot and today was no different.

The next section was a bit of a blur but we passed through checkpoint 7 and came out onto a road. I wasn’t expecting a long road section here but it continued through Tideswell and out the other side until we got onto the path to Tideswell Dale. Darren and Ellie were waiting by the gate just before the checkpoint so it was nice to see them again and exchange a few words before I arrived at checkpoint 8.

The public toilets in the car park were a welcome site so I paid a quick visit and continued on my way to Miller’s Dale. I was familiar with this area having run through Litton and along the path at Water-cum-Jolly on numerous occasions before to join the Monsal trail.

Just before Monsal Head I was greeted by a friendly Marshall at checkpoint 9, and then directed down to the valley below where we ran alongside the river before crossing the A6 to White Lodge Car Park. This was followed by another long ascent through Deep Dale and my thoughts turned to spring, recollecting how pretty this Dale is when the steep sides are covered in cowslips and mountain pansies.

At Checkpoint 10, at the end of a track, I was surprised to see Darren and Ellie again helping out. Ellie clipped my tally card whilst Darren offered me a drink. Soon on my way again, I waved goodbye and asked for directions and was told to turn right. Okay, this must be the never ending road section that I had been warned about, I thought! Sure enough, you could see the task ahead in front of you. I was feeling tired now and my hamstrings were really tight and sore so I ran the flat and down hill sections and power walked the rises.

I continued through Chelmorton village, and then onto a track before arriving at the second Deep Dale. We’re going where?! I thought, as I saw some other runners ascending on the opposite side of the valley. It was a narrow, greasy path but I ran down it and walked up the other side of the valley with my hands on my knees. Some other supporters were at the top and informed me it was just across the field to the final checkpoint at King Sterndale.

Darren and Ellie were here again cheering me on and I grabbed a drink and stuffed two fig rolls in my pocket and said see you at the finish.

I had to dig deep now. My legs were sore and my belly felt bloated. Too many fig rolls (a childhood favourite of mine along with Garibaldi biscuits…do they still make those?!) when I mainly follow a gluten-free diet now! My watch felt tight on my wrist so I slackened it off. I looked at my hands and noticed I had a bad case of oedema today as they were all puffy and my fingers were like sausages. I get this occasionally when I’m out walking or running but apart from fat hands it’s not uncomfortable or a cause for concern.  Thankfully, I knew I hadn’t got far to go now, I could see Corbar Cross on the hill but Buxton was still out of site in the valley below.

The last few miles were familiar and I remembered I had run this on a training run with Buxton AC a few weeks back. I was on my own now and I hadn’t got the strength to open some of the last spring-loaded gates so I had to climb over them. The route headed under the viaduct and into Buxton past the cottage hospital. I was focused on getting to the end but didn’t know the final route back so I made sure I kept my eyes peeled as didn’t want miss any of the arrows. I was able to pick up the pace for the final section and soon I was onto College Road and the final turn left into the school grounds and up to the finish. Darren and Ellie were waiting for me and I was happy to finish in a time of 8 hours 23 minute and was 3rd in my age group.

Thanks to the organisers, marshals and supporters of the event and a particularly big thank you to Darren and Ellie for being my race crew for the day 🙂