It’s good to be back!
After 8 years on hiatus, it was with some trepidation that I put myself forward, back in February 2023, to attempt to revive the High Peak 40. Having spent the previous 6 months trying to find out what had happened to the race which hadn’t happened since 2016, when I was sat in front of Bill and Sue the idea to take over and put a race on myself seemed like a good idea at the time! As a rookie race director much of the last 18 months has been learning what I needed to learn.
And here we are, a week later, and we’re back.
2024 was a lucky year as we had to contend with not one but two diversions. The first, the old bridge crossing the River Wye at Cressbrook had fallen into disrepair and was closed earlier in the year. This necessitated turning off early at Litton Mill to join the Monsal Trail and running through Litton and Cressbrook Tunnels, before rejoining the traditional course. Some early reviews from runners enjoyed the experience, particularly how cool it was on what turned out to be a warmer day. The second, and most frustrating, was the road passing White Rake Farm on the way to Tideswell. This was a surprise to many as I only found out when recceing the course the month beforehand. For those looking at the OS Map of the area, you’ll see how sparse the options are for a diversion. But a competitor pointed out we could turn off at the Old Finger Post and follow the Limestone Way to Wheston, then roads back into Tideswell, so crisis averted. Although the week of headaches could have been done without!
149 brave and hardy souls toed the line on Broad Walk, at 0800 on a beautiful September morning to head off around the course. And 13hrs 25mins later the last of the 135 finishers came over the line. Some great running from Martyn James to take the overall victory and first MV40 in 6hrs 37min 24s. Followed only a minute behind by Andy Collier (who wasn’t even aware he was as close as he was) in 6hrs 38min 24s and Peter Watson in 6hrs 42min 13s, so less than four minutes between the top 3! First woman was Rebecca Hormann who stormed home in 7hrs 2min 28s, finishing 5th overall. She was followed by Stacey Sangster in 7hrs 10min 35s and Mary Heald 7hrs 18min 43s, well done all!
Special mention also goes to Nigel Dean, who finished in 13hrs 25mins 15s, maintaining his 100% completion record for the High Peak 40, which seemed a distant challenge when he snuck in to sign up a few days before. Well done!
Finally a big thanks to all the volunteers, many of whom had volunteered in the past, who’s experience was invaluable in getting the race back up and running, and new volunteers doing this for this first time. Particular thanks to Zoe Hardman who pulled a full 16 hour stint from Registration, to managing Race Control, to tidying and closing down on the day, the race wouldn’t have happened without her. And finally my family, who I never asked “I’m going to put on this race, do you mind?”, but still listened to me talking about it for months on end and then just mucked in to help in the end. Thanks to Mick, Lorraine, Bethan, my wife Sarah and kids Lyra and Leo.
Where one race closes another opens. The 32nd High Peak 40 will be on Saturday 20th September 2025. The Entry page is now open. Finger-crossed we will have removed the need for diversions so will be back on the traditional course for the first time since 2015. Rest assured we will have more signs, more savoury food (including vegetarian) and more full-fat coke. I heard you loud and clear. See you in 2025!
Many thanks,
Chris Billingham
Pictures of the Day
Flickr Album from CP4 – Beet Farm by Joanne Cudahy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/65349905@N06/albums/72177720320335133/
Flickr Album by Nick Ham: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickham100/albums/72177720320507065/