Race date: Sunday 20th October 2019

The 24.5 mile route is through the Western Peak District, taking in Solomon’s Temple, Axe Edge, Goyt Valley, Shining Tor, Lamaload Reservoir, Kettleshulme, Taxal Moor and Fernilee. The route is mostly on footpaths and tracks and includes some moorland sections with a total ascent of 4,000ft. There is also a 13.2 mile route available.

241 people started the race, most of whom chose the longer route. As an LDWA organised event there were quite a few walkers amongst the Lycra clad runners, which maybe makes my finishing position slightly less impressive than it might first seem, but you can only race against those that turn up. The start of the race was by mutual agreement, rather than anything you might normally expect, such as a starting pistol, or Keith Binney shouting “GO!!!!!”, but that seems to be the nature of LDWA events. The whole day was very ‘British’, and was more about enjoying the scenery than finishing times and positions. Very good value, though – you don’t get many (nearly) marathons for £16.

The results are slightly baffling, as they’re listed in race number order, rather than finishing position, but first across the line was Rob Downs, in a time of 3 hours 57 minutes.