You could call this a Dark Peak clean sweep as the winner, Mark Hayman, has since run for the club. When was the last time Dark Peak claimed the first 9 places? We don't often manage that even in our own 'closed' events!
To count in the Totley Tigers Series you had to run this final event so I embarked on my longest fell race for over 3 years. Caution prevailed at the start as I plodded alcng in the last dozen wondering how people managed to run so fast in such a long race. As the familiar ground of Rivelin and Redmires approached I moved through the latter part of the field and began to enjoy the run as well as seeing Billy Minto appear from behind me having taken in the Ringinglow alternative.
The route has many checkpoints, some manned and some with orienteering type controls, but there is still scope for interesting route choices. Jim Fulton and I took the direct line from Ocean View to Stanage Pole. It neither gained or lost us time but provided a peaceful interlude until some Barber clad people near Stanage Lodge suggested we would get shot if we continued across the moor to Stanage Edge (we ignored them but maybe ran a little bit faster to rejoin the main field!). This race has a sting in the tail.
After about 13 miles you find yourself near Grindleford with the end of the race being in Totley. People had warned me to save something for Padley Gorge, that wasn't too much of a problem, but they hadn't mentioned the run across the tussocks of Longshaw. That seemingly short stretch removed what energy I had left and the last three miles (all flat or downhill) was a real struggle. Terminator by name - and nature.
M.P.

98 starters