Peak Skyline Half 2019
August 3rd 2019
15 mile run
I'd been looking for a shorter race after RTTS and decided fairly last minute to enter this one. In fact, I bought my number from some guy called Karl who couldn't make it due to injury. I paid half price which was great, and got the distance transferred from full (30 miles) to half (15 miles). I was disappointed he had not added a medal to his entry, but nevermind!
The day came and the weather was bright and beautiful - quite the contrast to the previous weekend when I'd also been in Buxton and it had rained pretty much the whole time. Much fun had still been had doing GoApe, paddle-boarding and a spot of running, but Buxton really was at its best this morning. I registered for the race, thinking that everyone else looked worryingly prepared and athletic, and then we were walked a half mile or so into what appeared to be a playing field.
The race went off and straight up a sizeable lump, always good to wake the legs up. From here we went into the forest where I'd done GoApe the previous weekend, and I carefully followed the ticker tape up another incline. I noticed at this point that I'd lost pretty much everyone. Hmmm. I still seemed to be on the correct route though, so I ploughed on, relieved when the route turned and headed downhill and back out onto the road. Here I found everyone - there was clearly a shortcut I did not know about, despite following the GPX file and the ticker tape!
We climbed our way out of the town and onto the Peaks. To the watchful eyes of the local livestock, I carved a route through a boggy section, over a road, then continued gradually up to a stunning plateau. This led down into a valley with a lovely trickling stream, and once I got to the bridge, I turned almost back on myself, noting that the full route went the opposite way. Following another stream up this time, I soon saw the main road and the very steep bank that led up to it. I paused at a tower halfway up this to take in the view, before crossing the road and continuing on to the open countrywide again, getting to the first checkpoint a mile or so later.
Here I decided not to stop as I was carrying enough for the race, so pushed on towards Shining Tor. To get to the actual trig point, there was a short out-and-back section, the first time I became aware of who was ahead of me! I spotted a girl already on her way down, looking very speedy indeed. Then there was another lady who must've been within a kilometre or so of myself. There may well have been more people ahead too, but if so they were a very long way ahead.
I was pleased to reach the trig point, then retrace my steps this time down the spongy matting and back to the end of the out-and-back. Here I turned left and down again into some very Christmas tree-like trees, suddenly feeling like I'd been there before. In fact, I had, as I was approaching the Goyt valley where I've had some lovely walks in the past. I continued down and across a stream, climbing up through a lot of ferns, some of which were taller than me! Thanks to the foilage I soon lost sight of anyone, either in front or behind, so got stuck into what was becoming a very long and quite wet underfoot climb up. The top of this was very welcome - I left the ferns and trotted downhill towards a village, which I crossed and climbed up again, recognising the valley below and town as the one we'd started in.
Buxton came soon enough, and still with a pleasing amount of energy I followed the road back to the start, noting that this was the way most people must have come out, missing the climb through the GoApe forest. Once at the school, I crossed the line and was pleased to be told I had come 3rd lady! I definitely was not expecting that at all and decided to stick around for the presentation. For this they had us sitting on what can only be described as a wooden throne, whilst we were given a trophy to hold. Prize-wise I was pleased to be given a race belt, as well as some edible goodies and best of all, a medal!
This was a great run, and I would really recommend it. Apart from oddities with the course (the GPX and marked route varied frequently and substantially at times) it was very well organised. I was so excited to receive an engraved trophy in the post too not long after, what a brilliant day!
I'd been looking for a shorter race after RTTS and decided fairly last minute to enter this one. In fact, I bought my number from some guy called Karl who couldn't make it due to injury. I paid half price which was great, and got the distance transferred from full (30 miles) to half (15 miles). I was disappointed he had not added a medal to his entry, but nevermind!The day came and the weather was bright and beautiful - quite the contrast to the previous weekend when I'd also been in Buxton and it had rained pretty much the whole time. Much fun had still been had doing GoApe, paddle-boarding and a spot of running, but Buxton really was at its best this morning. I registered for the race, thinking that everyone else looked worryingly prepared and athletic, and then we were walked a half mile or so into what appeared to be a playing field.
The race went off and straight up a sizeable lump, always good to wake the legs up. From here we went into the forest where I'd done GoApe the previous weekend, and I carefully followed the ticker tape up another incline. I noticed at this point that I'd lost pretty much everyone. Hmmm. I still seemed to be on the correct route though, so I ploughed on, relieved when the route turned and headed downhill and back out onto the road. Here I found everyone - there was clearly a shortcut I did not know about, despite following the GPX file and the ticker tape!
We climbed our way out of the town and onto the Peaks. To the watchful eyes of the local livestock, I carved a route through a boggy section, over a road, then continued gradually up to a stunning plateau. This led down into a valley with a lovely trickling stream, and once I got to the bridge, I turned almost back on myself, noting that the full route went the opposite way. Following another stream up this time, I soon saw the main road and the very steep bank that led up to it. I paused at a tower halfway up this to take in the view, before crossing the road and continuing on to the open countrywide again, getting to the first checkpoint a mile or so later.
Here I decided not to stop as I was carrying enough for the race, so pushed on towards Shining Tor. To get to the actual trig point, there was a short out-and-back section, the first time I became aware of who was ahead of me! I spotted a girl already on her way down, looking very speedy indeed. Then there was another lady who must've been within a kilometre or so of myself. There may well have been more people ahead too, but if so they were a very long way ahead.
I was pleased to reach the trig point, then retrace my steps this time down the spongy matting and back to the end of the out-and-back. Here I turned left and down again into some very Christmas tree-like trees, suddenly feeling like I'd been there before. In fact, I had, as I was approaching the Goyt valley where I've had some lovely walks in the past. I continued down and across a stream, climbing up through a lot of ferns, some of which were taller than me! Thanks to the foilage I soon lost sight of anyone, either in front or behind, so got stuck into what was becoming a very long and quite wet underfoot climb up. The top of this was very welcome - I left the ferns and trotted downhill towards a village, which I crossed and climbed up again, recognising the valley below and town as the one we'd started in.
Buxton came soon enough, and still with a pleasing amount of energy I followed the road back to the start, noting that this was the way most people must have come out, missing the climb through the GoApe forest. Once at the school, I crossed the line and was pleased to be told I had come 3rd lady! I definitely was not expecting that at all and decided to stick around for the presentation. For this they had us sitting on what can only be described as a wooden throne, whilst we were given a trophy to hold. Prize-wise I was pleased to be given a race belt, as well as some edible goodies and best of all, a medal!
This was a great run, and I would really recommend it. Apart from oddities with the course (the GPX and marked route varied frequently and substantially at times) it was very well organised. I was so excited to receive an engraved trophy in the post too not long after, what a brilliant day!
Times
Total time: 11:38:17
Standings
Age category: 2/12 17%
Gender category: 3/32 9%
Overall category: 7/57 12%
Total time: 11:38:17
Standings
Age category: 2/12 17%
Gender category: 3/32 9%
Overall category: 7/57 12%
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