After access issues forced a change from the usual race route, a more "Longshawry" alternative was quickly devised and fine-tuned in collaboration with the National Trust — primarily to avoid disturbing frogs, mushrooms, and other sensitive estate residents.
The new course took runners on a scenic tour of the estate before plunging down a slippery, twisty track into Grindleford. From there, it was a brutal climb up the infamous quarry ramp to Lawrence Field, before returning via the gully — and a welcome sight for many — the ice cream van.
Henry Webb claimed his second consecutive victory, chased hard all the way by Joe Dale, who not only finished second but also bagged 1st V40. James Wilkins rounded out the podium to complete a Dark Peak 1-2-3.
In the women’s race, Helen Elmore stormed to 1st W50, with Jane Crowson taking 1st V60. A special mention goes to Basil “Pipe Dream” Moss, who heroically led the peloton out of the starting field, only to sabotage his own race near the end. A navigational gamble through a secret drainage culvert ended in an anti-wurzzeling incident, costing him several minutes — and several layers of knee skin.
Despite the course’s seemingly tame profile, the first aid supplies took a battering. Many thanks to Diane Hakes for her tireless plastering efforts, and to the numerous in-house consults who confirmed with confidence: “Yes, that’s definitely broken.”
168 starters, 165 finishers
The pole for which route to use next year following shortly
| Position | Name | Club | Class | Time | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henry Webb | Dark Peak | MU23 | 30:05:00 | |
| 2 | Joe Dale | Dark Peak Fell Runners | M40 | 30:34:00 | 1st M40 |
| 3 | James Wilkins | Dark Peak | MSEN | 32:30:00 | |
| 4 | John Birch | Hallamshire Harriers | MSEN | 32:48:00 | |
| 5 | Jago Onians | Run Happy RC | MSEN | 33:27:00 | |
| 6 | Joseph Wade | Dark Peak | M40 | 33:32:00 | 2nd M40 |
| 7 | Niel Strydom | 0 | MSEN | 33:43:00 | |
| 8 | Jose Dias | Danum harriers | M50 | 34:34:00 | 1st M50 &3rdM40 |
| 9 | Malcolm Johnson | Stockport Harriers | M50 | 35:43:00 | 2nd M50 |
| 10 | Jordan Street | Clowne road runners | M40 | 35:50:00 | |
| 11 | Simon Kelly | Mansfield Harriers | MSEN | 36:01:00 | |
| 12 | Jennifer Ansell | Belper Harriers | WSEN | 36:05:00 | 1st WSEN |
| 13 | Kurt Fitch | 0 | M50 | 36:13:00 | 3rd M50 |
| 14 | John Tullis | 0 | M40 | 36:46:00 | |
| 15 | Stuart Vas | 0 | M40 | 37:03:00 | |
| 16 | Ian Bradbury | 0 | M50 | 37:10:00 | |
| 17 | Joanne Mosley | 0 | WSEN | 37:14:00 | 2nd WSEN |
| 18 | Edward James | Matlock A C | M40 | 37:22:00 | |
| 19 | Gareth Briggs | Macclesfield Harriers | M50 | 37:24:00 | |
| 20 | Michael Collins | 0 | MSEN | 37:25:00 |
