High Peak Marathon recce no2

With less than 6 weeks to the High Peak Marathon, a good recce was in order. Although Iain is able to run, 6 hours trudging through peak bog was a bit too much with a full arm cast, so Rob and I headed up early yesterday morning to meet Ian from Dark Peak who had kindly offered to show us part of the route.

We started from the Derwent Reservoir and headed up to meet the race route at Sheepfold Clough. From there it was good running and with a strong wind, mostly at our backs, we were making good time. Then you hit the bog fields

I'd been warned about these energy sapping mud pits, but perhaps the fear of the unknown had escalated their terror in my mind, because the reality, whilst hard running, was far better than I had anticipated. Infact, if you were lucky, you could find a good channel of sandstone in amongst the mazes of peat mounds where good running could be enjoyed for 10-20meters, before sinking in bog again

We recced the route through to where the route meets the Penine Way, heading back to the car after 5hr 20min and covering around 22miles.

Ian was an invaluable guide - thanks heaps Ian and see you at the race start!












Bella, with her chosen rock in her mouth, being shown the route on the map by Rob

Rob and his dads tights from the 80s in disco blue - a great look - just need to put some red undies over these and we'd go faster in the race...