Category Archives: High Peak Relay

High Peak Relay 2009

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David Denton was right – this years’ entry was down on previous years for various reasons, but in some way, it made for a more homely and less frenetic feel than usual. The first part of this stage along Intake Lane climbs quite steeply to join the high peak trail proper – it never fails to raise a wry inward smile. Some mischief maker has tied me to the start line with a long elastic band. The initial 200m are no problem at all, in fact, quite easy. Then the elastic band starts to stretch, the clouds part to reveal the unscaled icy North Face of Intake Lane Direct – The ‘Widow Maker’ and my puny legs turn to blanchmange. Bonington shakes his head and turns back, Tenzing hides in his tent. Out-take Lane, more like. After what seems an age, the initial steep slope relents and a swift bit of chicanery under the bridge sees us on to the HPT proper.

Pretty golds and autumn sunlight ahead. The welcoming gate in the distance signals a flat and fast section below the unseen Black Rocks. Into road running mode, trying to ignore the thoughts of Hopton Incline up ahead. Lots of mixing it with other runners, some strong on the hills, some fast on the flats. Those lucky enough to have both attributes have long since disappeared into the distance. They reappear when we reach the bottom of Hopton you-know-what, except that they are nearly at the top (ever wished you could teleport anywhere at will? John Birch later tells me he did 20 repeats up this hill yesterday. Nutter) Hang in, turn legs over, and finally, like a beached whale, haul onself through the gate and onto Middleton Top. The finish to this stage is only a mile from Middleton Top, and not wanting to let anyone pass, this is the hardest part of the run. Steve from Chesterfield shouts encouragement. If I were Seb Coe, I’d be there in 4 minutes. I’ll settle for 6, OK, 7 ! Great stage this, scary before the start, but always fun to run.

Then the best part: the dash to the cars and the mad chase around the Peak District catching up on all the runners, stories, narrow escapes, just-in-time starters and on it goes…

Krishna Mahadevan

I was really glad to have the opportunity to take part in this years HPR – it was good to see some familiar faces and meet some new runners too. The High Peak Trail is such familar training territory it was good to finally race along it. 

Running stage 3 guaranteed a flat section of the course, complete with the almost permanent winds that swirl around the High Peak Trail. I was starting at Longliffe, heading off to the stage finish at Friden.  The start had a great amosphere as all the leg 3 runners were turned to cheer the winner of the stage 2 legging it towards us, we had to quickly turn to face the right direction and then we were off!  Being a relatively short distance of nearly 5.5 miles, which in my book is a vomit inducing – lung buster, I tried hard not to get drawn into a fast start.  I immediately regretted putting my road shoes on, the trail was a little slimy underfoot, but told myself not to be so daft and at least I’d remember my trainers and not left them at home, my usual trick.  After a mile, I got into a good pace, although breathing heavily, a started to over take a few overly ambitious fast starters.  While this feels good, it annoys me, as some blokeys never take too kindly to a 8 stone girly with a pony-tail gliding past them (I’m struggling though), so they put up a little fight for a bit, try to keep up, but then I was off and alone on the trail for the rest of the race.  The leading group of runners was gradually easing further ahead and by the time I got to the sweeping bend before Minninglow, they were gone.

I plodded along, occassionally looking at my watch – this being my gauge of ‘only so many minutes to go until I can stop’ method of racing, I got to the road crossing at Newhaven to be greeted by a cheery cry of ‘well done Skelly’ by the great man himself, David Denton, the race organiser, I tried to squeek a hello out, but could hardly speak.  As disscussed with Krish beforehand, once I got past the road I was going to nail-it the last mile back to the finish……however hard I tried, nailing-it wasn’t going happen, my stumply little legs just wouldn’t move any quicker.  Krish and Denise welcomed me into what I thought was the finish, holding the car park gate open for me.  Striding in, trying to look athletic as I was having my photo taken by Krish, I soon realised that the gate wasn’t the finish and I still had 200m to go, so I tried to keep the speed up to the end.  After a minute or so of hanging over the wall trying to control my breathing and not say hello my breakfast again, I finally felt human again.

The next part, watching the rest of the team on their stages was as much fun as the race, as we drove up and down the trail.  We had the inconvience of my car breaking down at Longcliffe, but with the assitance of strong-lady Denise, we ditched the car and made it back to greet our last man home back down in Cromford.  Thank you to Krish for organising the teams and logistics and for all the lovely food afterwards.  I think the team should be proud of the fact that were quicker than the RAC! (Unfortunately, Helen’s car decided enough was enough, and we had a lengthy wait for the RAC – Krish)

Helen Skelton

 

 

Sarah Hudson (Stage 6)  and Jamie Hillier (Stage 10)

Sarah
I really enjoyed the race again, although I have vowed to be fitter for next year (I’ll get Amanda to remind me of this about a week before next year’s relay)! Met some great people running my leg. I was disappointed with my time as it felt like I was faster than last year – should’ve worn a watch. I also went out too fast and felt like I needed an oxygen mask from about half a mile out. Something to aim for next year (as well as coming back for a beer!).

Jamie
Really enjoyed it again and was pleased to shave some time from last years time (10 seconds is 10 seconds). Am definitely going to get fitter for next year and get some proper running gear – I’m sure I said that last year!!! 

( yes you did Jamie..)

High Peak Relay 2008

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Well done to every runner for braving the elements – I had a feeling that our successive years of fine, but cold weather, were coming to an end. I’m very proud that a new generation of kids have started to filter through and hope that they can join us again next year. I was a pleasure to welcome new friends, Sarah and Jamie, Pauline and Family; to see the familiar faces, and also hope that those who did not run with us this year can join us next year.

That’s that for another year. It was bound to happen; since our first race in 2005, the weather has been cold and clear, and left me wondering how we would manage, if the elements turned against us. Well, we found out..

 It’s always a mad scramble to get the right runners to the correct starting places– but this is all part of the excitement of the day

 The year leading up to the race, as usual, had thrown up some doubts. Nigel, had injured himself last year – I think fallen and broken an arm – and for the first time not altogether confident at being able to run. Some of our younger runners, having graduated into the teens, had decided to follow other ‘extra-curricular’ pursuits. But the confidence returned when Allan Whalley, Alan Coxon and eventually, Nigel confirmed their places – at the very worst, these guys would run all the stages if needed. Tim and Amanda Jaques managed to persuade what seemed like half their street to join up along with the tantalising promise of a Marine who could run uphill carrying the whole team, and “still run a faster time than you (Krish)”. Unfortunately, duty called!

It was a welcome back to Denise Egan, who ran with us last year. Jamie and Sarah along with their young sons joined us.

 The youngsters then showed up – Alex, a county standard swimmer, and by the looks of it, a runner too, turned in a blistering time over the 3.3 mile Hurdlow leg. Minesh, who plays cricket at a high level in Derby, rejoined us to practise his very long run up. Richard and Tim also ran these legs with the boys.

 Sophie and Emma made their debut, and Rebecca and William had an abrupt introduction to the HPR. William probably had the worst of the weather and finished saying that this was both his debut and retirement run!

Thanks to those who helped with the driving and transport and especially to Geoff, who came up from Melton to be team photographer, in lieu of running, as he is injured. I hope that you enjoy his efforts at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ullrichbt/sets/72157608790847618/ . More photos click here

Stage 1 (Pauline)

Thnaks for organising the team ,we all enjoyed it, you wanted a few words so here goes: I dont suppose anyone who was there needs any reminding of the weather conditions I at least did have a few minutes of sunshine on my leg, but it did not last. I was warned about the up hill so I was ready for it, it did seem to go on a long way but at least it was runnable, after the fisrt 10 minutes of the leg, I was on my own as everyone else had just about dissappeared into the distance, anyway I couldnot go any faster. My feet and hands had just about thawed out by time I finished. It was then a quick drive upto the end of leg 2, to pick up my poor disheartened 10 year old son William, who I think had set off too fast up the hill worn himself out, and he tells me got dehydrated and had to catch a drink off some cyclists, I was very proud of him as he had run without complaining dispite spending Friday night in A&E after a collision with a diving board.
My Daughter Rebecca’s leg was the penultimate leg which she ran with Sophie, which I have to say went very well, she had been a very reluctant runner that morning, I had great difficulty getting her out of bed, and she all but refused to run, but fortunately on meeting up with everyone else her mood and enthusiasm improved and I think she had a good day and has even said she might be up for it again next year!

(Krish adds) The weather each year we had run this fanatstic event (since 2004) had been cold, crisp and generally clear. The cold air seems to come down off the hillside into Cromford Valley, but the day usually warms a little. Not so, today! It started overcast, with the threat of squally weather. One never can tell how exposed it will be ‘up top’ – 800′ ascent places you on Middleton Top and subject to the ravages of the Peak District wind.

The initial incline is quite brutal, and one has to fight the temptation to try and power up it with most of the other runners.  Overdo it at this stage, and the rest of the run is very unforgiving. Pace it, however, and the hills never seem quite so bad, and in fact, it is quite an absorbing and varied 4 mile stretch. If you have time, peer over the wall half way up, just below Black Rocks, to admire the vista towards Matlock Bath, Cromford, Middleton Top and Wirksworth. Just stunning. This is exactly where the first squall hit – the chill making you breathless and wondering what lay ahead..