Equinox-60 (High Peak Marathon)

Equinox-60 (High Peak Marathon) on Sat 16th Apr 2022

Despite Herculean efforts from some exceptionally knowledgeable, experienced and competent organisers and access experts, The High Peak Marathon (HPM) is not currently viable as an open race due to a combination of the byzantine permit processes and competing quasi-government organisational expectations for access requirements. These challenges are seen by some to add up to a lack of desire to accommodate people doing stuff on the moors wherever it can be prevented. I hope that is not the case, because it risks the possibility of large-scale un-agreed events (which do seem to be on the rise) and significant conflict.

As an alternative, this club race follows on from the 2020 Solstice race that was operated as a time trial because of pandemic rules in place at the time - although had we known, it could have been run in the normal format if everyone had brought their own booze!

Trying to find a good place in the calendar for something this substantial is problematic. The open HPM used to run in late February or early March (overnight). As a pairs event which is dependant upon complete self reliance of the team for safety (no marshals, nor other support precautions) overnight and in the depths of winter would not seem a good idea. Traditionally, Easter has had a very limited number of races. So it felt like a feasible option to send people on a big day out and leave some time for recovery before the return to work. However, it would appear, people have quite enough to do - especially in such a glorious spell of weather. I wonder if we can find a better date for next year?

The turn out was low. I appear to specialise in putting on races few wish to do. I'm thinking maybe I should retire as an RO!

Somewhat to my surprise, there were no former participants of the open HPM. All participants were relatively new members of the club (largely having joined in just pre-pandemic, or in the last two years) - with the exception of the unattached friends of the RO; who were only mildly press-ganged into participation. There were three prospective BG contenders for this year in the field and one recent (last year) completer of the BG.

It was rumoured that one team was gunning for the GPS usage bonus, but no evidence has been supplied to warrant the advertised time deductions. Nobody was seen to be looking to get the bonus for using poles. And nobody was exclusively chocolate powered, nor hospitalised for it.... but maybe that is what was lacking from Phil's diet! The ski rule provisions were not enacted, due to the majority of the period having glorious sunshine and warm weather (despite one team reporting snow showers).

The results should make for some good points in the Dark Peak races league. Well done all who entered!

Lewis