Saturday 9th February 2019 – Winter Half
Entry Link: Via the Fabian4 Website
The next race will be held on 9th February 2019, 10.00am
Entry fee £12, £14 after December 31st, £18 on the day.
A not-to-be-underestimated 16 miler through some lovely countryside taking in some iconic Peak District vistas. You’ll be up Dirtlow Rake, down Cave Dale and through Castleton, onto the Great Ridge with views over the Vale of Edale, then shouldering Win Hill to drop down to Ladybower. Fast running from here via Bamford and Shatton leads to one final climb which seems to go on forever, to descend Bradwell edge and so back to the finish.
Essentially follows the same route as the summer race (see full route description below) but is actually a very different animal because of the changed conditions. The descent into Cave Dale can be slick at any time of year but add a few degrees of frost and you’d better be watching your feet rather than lookup at the majesty of Peveril Castle! Equally the trail from Ladybower can seem like hard work in summer yet in winter it feels like hard-won respite from the bitter westerlies which were battering you on the tops. Extra kit may be needed on the day so bring it! We have also introduced a short untimed section for the Bamford road crossing and a simpler, easier to follow, sting in the tail finish!
Full Route Description
- Route information 16mls / 3000’ climb
- The following is intended as additional information and not a substitute for correct footpath navigation using OS maps (Outdoor Leisure 1:25,000 Sheet No 1) The route is clearly marked on the map.
- The course finishes at 3pm. For reasons of both competitor and Marshal safety, these times will be strictly enforced.
- To qualify as a finisher you must “dib” at each control point.
- THE GOLDEN RULE: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REPORT TO THE FINISH EVEN IF YOU RETIRE
From the Start (SK173817), head SW to the bottom of Smalldale SK171815. Turn R onto a green lane and follow the footpath/bridleway thru’ cement works.
At road corner turn L passing the cottages, up the Pindale stoney track. Carry on to the top of the track SK155819, then follow level track N to road corner SK155821.
On the road again, turn L up the hill & follow road 200m. Fork R onto Dirtlow Rake – use the track here to climb and continue to CP 1 SK135813 – stile/gate at the track/bridleway crossing.
Turn NE onto a bridleway, across field & down to shallow valley bottom. Look at the finger post and DO NOT go up the other side! KEEP IN THE VALLEY BOTTOM and descend gently, then more steeply, down Cave Dale itself – CARE!! SLIPPERY WHEN WET! SK151826 – road/dale end junction.
Follow road N, with the church to LEFT, straight on at the main street and then straight on at R/h bend. Follow small road ‘Millbridge’ then Hollowford Lane forking L past the Hollowford Centre (to your Right). Fork left again shortly. After 1km, at sharp bend, go thru’ gate/stile up narrow f/p. The routes split here. Climb diagonally R up to Backtor Nook & steep up stone steps to Back Tor summit. The routes rejoin here. Follow ridge path to CP 4 SK151852 – fence section at stile.
Visit Lose Hill summit (DO NOT CUT ACROSS FLANK!). Continue down steep steps to stile. Keep the fence on your RIGHT and follow the trod down to Losehill Farm / Crimea Fm. Fine descent through fields-Follow the yellow paint dots. PLEASE stick to the footpath- follow the worn grass path and cross at the stiles- if you come to a plain wall you have gone wrong!!! The farmer gets VERY grumpy if you lose the path. Pass through buildings, cross railway line and continue to 4th gate after railway then bear L to road (Farm on the L). Cross road (CARE!) and take lane opp. down to bridge CP 5 SK171839 (marshals, water).
Head NE along lane then R past the cemetery, under railway line and past Fairfield Fm. L (uphill) at lane junction and continue thru’ Aston. (You may take the short cut footpath at SK182839). 75m after the Hall (on left), take the f/p at SK186839 and run diagonally up onto the flank of Win Hill. In the open land follow the obvious Hollow Way contour ascending around the nose.
At the fingerpost SK192846 continue N along main track approx 20m to water trough/stream crossing. ****Turn E off the track, drop 15m down shallow stream to turn L onto a smaller path, following an old wall towards and then into the woods. Cross Parkin Clough SK193851. DO NOT DESCEND STEEPLY but continue on contour track, gently descending to CP 6 SK195858 – gate at track junction.
Descend SE to reservoir, turn S. DO NOT CROSS DAM WALL, but drop 500m down the road, then fork R onto the old railway line (Touchstone/ Thornhill Trail) SK197852 Note: the old railway line is towards the bottom of the road. ****DO NOT TAKE THE OBVIOUS FORK R CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE DAM WALL, which leads back into Parkin Clough. Continue along the old railway line to CP 7 SK197839 marshal / water point at car park
Continue along old railway line to footpath crossing at SK199836 (finger post “Touchstone Trail). Routes split here. Straight on to the track at the Quaker house, L then shortly R onto f/p along field margin to stile, then R under railway line. Through car park to road. CP 15 and 16 for untimed road crossing SK203826 marshal. TAKE GREAT CARE AS BUSY ROAD. It is untimed. Stay safe. Cross on to lane to Shatton.
Follow the lane through Shatton to turn left up Shatton Lane before you reach the ford on Townfield Lane. Stay on Shatton Lane climbing steeply up hill to pass the mast. Keep on the track which contours the rim of Over Dale and turns into Brough Lane. Before the lane starts to descend, take the footpath on the left across two fields to the final descent of the route. Take a moment to admire the view then drop down into the village via footpath and bridleway, leaving just a sprint down the Main Street to the finish at the Sports Club.
WELL DONE!! FINISH CLOSES AT 1500hrs. THANKS FOR COMING AND HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE ROUTE!!
Route map
Click here to download the Provisional map.pdf
Location
Venue: The Sports Pavilion, Opposite the Samuel Fox Pub, Bradwell, Hope Valley. S33 9ST
Contact
Organiser: Greg Rimmer
Email: Greg
Phone: 07793 634 495
Kit List
Kit which you MUST carry or use.
These events traverse high/exposed moorland terrain late in the year. For all our long events you MUST wear/carry the following minimum items:
- Fell running shoes that in our opinion are fully suitable for the type of rough terrain that you will encounter. Note: There has been a small move of
- some fell runners to competing barefoot. As organisers, we will consider this if the runner can show they have the experience and ability to compete barefoot. What you will not be allowed to use are trainers with high heels and no grip, such as road running shoes.
- Full waterproof body cover. We may allow pertex overtrousers if the weather is nice but you MUST bring a second pair of waterproof over-trousers in case they are needed.
- Waterproof clothing typically has taped seams- if they ain’t taped professionally then we reserve the right to test or refuse them! SO: You MUST bring waterproof overtrousers but we may allow just pertex to be taken on the day.
- Hat/Buff
- Gloves
- Compass
- Whistle
- Map and control descriptions– you will each be given one on the start line.
- Timing chip – each person must carry their own and use it at each control. We will hire one for you if you do not have your own.
- Sufficient supply of liquid and food to see you through the event.
- Watch. This can also be an altimeter or a GPS data logger but not a device that can display maps and be used to navigate
- Race Number- You will each be given one at registration
- Emergency bivvy bag (Winter Events only)- this must be a bag, not a sheet; it can be foil or plastic
- Phone- This is not compulsory but it is advisory (see notes over- we may insist that you take one if the weather is poor so bring a waterproof bag to keep it safe in)
- Other kit you need to bring
We reserve the right to insist on extra items being carried such as extra layers of clothing and long bottoms if the weather is poor.
You should bring these extra items with you:
Depending on the weather we may ask you to also carry:
Up to THREE Extra upper body layers
Long leg cover such as lycra bottoms and / or thick, thermal long bottoms
A mobile phone
Marshals will disqualify anyone who in their opinion does not meet the above equipment criteria. NOTE – this applies to ALL competitors!
What a fantastic race. So well organised and what a fabulous route. The Peak District is stunning!
Tough run yesterday, much harder than I was expecting but great fun all the same. Big thanks to the organisers and marshals.
I had a great day despite numb thighs on that first climb! The food after was great – I just wish more races followed that format ie keep entries affordable and just give us food after instead of a medal/t-shirt that’s too big. My third time back at Bradwell and I’ve enjoyed every one – I reckon the food was even better today than summer. Good to see Yorkshire tea too!
