The one where you might end up in a wall.

I missed the boat on this one last year, so I was determined to grab a place this year. I’ve heard it sold out in a matter of days, which for a small event taking place on a Friday night in the Derbyshire countryside, sounds odd. But the reward of a chip butty at the finish is enough for a lot of people to enter such a prestigious event.

Living south of Sheffield, the journey there took just over 10 minutes and there is ample parking at the village hall on the field. Upon arrival, registration is in the village hall, which is where I met a couple of other Striders taking part. With about 20 minutes until the start, the race director gave a brief speech to cover off the usual pre-race info, such as, ‘no closed roads’ and ‘don’t run too fast down the hill at the start, or you might end up in a wall’. About 10 minutes prior to this, light rain kicked in. Now, for those that did it last year, I’ve been informed wellies might have been the most practical footwear on the day. This was not as severe.

Ten minutes before go time, we were herded like sheep, across the road to the start line. Bang on 7pm we were off down the hill. The light rain made the downhill a little slippery underfoot (for me anyway as I opted for road shoes, like most others I spotted during registration). After about a quarter of a mile downhill, you get to a marshal that is effectively stood by said wall you might end up in if you go like a bat out of hell. At this point it’s a sharp left and you’re onto your first uphill section.

With the second half of mile one downhill, you then start what is effectively two miles of uphill. Mostly on the country roads, but with the rain falling, felt like it never ended. At one point at a crossroad section, I was greeted by a marshal and then by a car slowly creeping by all the runners who were scattered on all sides of the road, which made the cars passing ever so slightly tricky. Car dodged, you then hit an off-road section at about 2.5 miles. The struggle bus arrived at this point.

After tackling what felt like the trail equivalent of the travelator off Gladiators, you’re pretty much at halfway. Just over three miles in, you’ve reached the highest part of this race. I’m told on a clear day you can see right the way over Chesterfield. Not tonight as the rain clouded vision so you didn’t get the views we were expecting. You are then treated to the remainder of mile four being downhill. This section felt like it came and went quickly and before long, you’re into mile five and you hit the final climb.

At this point the legs didn’t have much left but knowing the end was just around the corner and yes, a chip awaited, I started to pick up the pace a little. Just before you start mile six, the last descent starts. When you reach The Peacock and sweep left, you know the finish is in sight. One final left turn and the village hall is in sight. Afterburners ignited I sped into the village hall grounds and down the finish funnel on the field. In the process very nearly taking out both the guy who finished ahead of me and the funnel manager as the field was slippery and I briefly lost my footing. After doing my best Bambi impression it was into the village hall for chip butties and the awards.

First male was Bryce Ward with a time of 37:47 and first female was Hannah Walker with a time of 38:38.

Striders results: