Race Report
Dear Competitors,
Well, what can we say!
An absolutely superb day for the event, the only problem being competitors who failed to tell us when they retired, and the tenth Otter 40 had passed
The biggest mystery is how everyone got round the course so quickly. The last competitors arrived in the canteen at 8.27pm, compared with 10.03 last year and 11.34 in 1992. Checkpoints were closing down so fast it was unbelievable and our ambitious plan to floodlight both sides of Deep Dale 2 failed miserably as everyone went through long before it went dark
The many “Thank You” letters we have received show that at least some of the competitors enjoyed the dạy and I am sure that you will all join me in thanking the mass of helpers who work so hard on the day to make the event such a success. The gentleman who thought the course was short of 40 miles is quite welcome to start a few miles out of town next year but he may find the course is even shorter as the “Squaddies” have vowed that they will build a bridge over Deep Dale if they come back again.
Apologies to Neil Johnson, who I missed off last year’s list of 100% starters. All eight started this years event but the conditions took their toll and we now have only five brave souls who have completed the course every year since 1986
Congratulations to this year’s winners, in particular Jan Cave, who retained the Ladies title. Rumour has it that she might not go for the hat trick, but I am sure that common sense will go out of the window and we shall see all the rest of the ladies chasing her for the title next year.
Although 1996 is Otter’s fiftieth anniversary, we have decided that the amount of work that would be involved in organising a one off 50 Mile Challenge is not really worth it. It would be a shame to alter what is frequently described as the best event of its kind particularly as we seem to have finally got the organisation nearly right after ten year’s practice. So we look forward to seeing you all again next year for 40 miles of sheer enjoyment.
Ken Atkin
Event Organiser
PS: Latest news on the sponsorship front is very encouraging with one competitor reporting personal sponsorship in excess of £2,000 which will benefit Cancer Research, The High Peak Hospice and the local branch of Dr Barnados.
Results Files
High Peak 40 – 1995 – Results and Checkpoint Timings