Grindleford Gallop 13th March

After two recces, i arrived in Grindleford to take part in the GrindleFord Gallop 21 miles, of fell running, after leaving a sunny Derby to find it overcast with a chilly wind,



The car parking field seemed to be filling up quite quickly and you could see the walkers getting off across the first couple of fields,

9.10am and 50 mins until we, Steve Shaw and myself galloped around the 21 miles of the Grindleford race,




After registering and checking dibbers we brewed up, and stretched, also saw a few runners from other clubs from around the country, which is always nice see old friends and remember old races,


I am a plodder and will always be a plodder, after doing a recce around this beautiful course, felt that a sub 4 hr race would or should be a possibility,

As the field lined up i could remember how narrow the first 4 mile was, small gaps etc, and narrow paths so was expecting a stop start affair during these early stages,

On the line saw quite a few faces that i had not seen in a while, Colin from Long Eaton and Stuart Learmouth from Dark Peak, nice to catch up,

The start and up until the second check point didnt go according to plan, i seemed to get really bad crap in my lower back and marched up the first climb, not a good start but managed to shake it off before arriving at Eyam, i must say that even though there was a large field of runner the dibbers and marshals were great,

I was running with Steve Shaw, who at this stage would have been gone, long gone, but we agreed to trot this one as a team, i felt as though i was holding him back, good mate, as he stayed with me,

A tough climb around Great Longstone moor, love that part of the race,

Then came the slog along the Monsal Trail, a real grind it out section, flat followed by a tough little reminder up to CP5 on a gatepost, unmanned, maybe next year this could do with a marshal as from the results, it seems to have caused a few issues,

The next 4 miles are easy going which is good because i needed it, through Edensor and then through Chatsworth, dodging the Sunday walkers, through the kissing gate and then cake, and tea, as me and Steve agreed, we ain't gonna win it so lets have some cake......

The atmosphere for the climb up to eagle rock out of Baslow was great, its a tough climb, on the road section then up to Eagle Rock, from here on in it a ridge trot, across the baslow edge, drop down Curbar gap , then back onto the Edge,

At this point i suggested that Steve should plod on to try ad crack the 4 hr mark, he stayed with me until the road crossing at Frogatt,

really enjoyed the last blast through the woodland at the bottom, reached the unmade road and my legs went to jelly, and i managed to run? jog? stumble to the finish,

Finished in 4 hrs 3 mins 22 secs, so missed the 4 hr mark,

A must say that it was a great race, i enjoyed it, and the company around the route,

Soup, tea, cake and chat about the run was also great....