RAB Moors and Tors
A Run Around the Peak District
Gill Watson/Team SleepMonsters/Inov-8 / 15.10.2008
As I trotted up Grindsbrook to the Kinder Plateau in brilliant sunshine I congratulated myself that I had made the correct decision by not going up to the weather ravaged Lake District and stayed closer to home.I was running the 10th anniversary Hope Moors and Tors, which is a route for both walkers and runners with an 8 or 20 mile option taking in some classic Peak District scenery and routes.
I entered online so I had no option of staying in bed Sunday morning, but as I opened my curtains to a dismal wet and gloomy day I did have second thoughts.
But - I soldiered on and set off to register at Hope college - the walkers had already left at 8am and we were due to leave at 10am. The weather on MWIS had said it would clear and after hearing from Mel Humphries how bad it was in the Lakes I really hoped that today would turn out as promised!
Stiles, Cave Dale and onwards ...!
The hooter went at 10am and we all jogged off to negotiate the first stile and as we headed towards Castleton and Cave Dale we found ourselves queueing at quite a few more!
The recent downpours had left the fields very boggy and the streams in spate, but it was evident it was already warming up - most except the whippets were dressed for the cold.
My thoughts kept hopping to those at the Dirty Weekend and also those that had undertaken the Long Mynd hike but the sun soon lifted our spirits.
We ran up the spectacular Cave Dale and over the tops to MamTor - many grockles were out already and I had joined forces with some of my running club - Shelton Striders and as we went over the top to Hollins Cross ... I was enjoying myself so much I kept running on the 8 mile route and it wasn’t till after Back Tor that I realised and had to turn back and turn right down to Edale at Hollins Cross. I should have known better as I know this area well and have done the race before!
I ran down to Edale Carpark and dibbed at 11.55. The cut off was 11.30 but he let me go on as I was moving well.
I ran through Edale village and up Grindsbrook below Ringing Roger and overtook a few back markers - the sky was clear and cornflower blue and as I scrambled steeply up to ascend the Kinder Plateau I thought - I am so lucky to have this on my doorstep.See All Event Posts
