“Let’s see your taped seams” demanded the thick accent and we duly complied. They were taking this seriously, and rightly so, but none of us had ever before had to prove we had taped seams. This was a pukka event and we were going to be on the hills for a long time. The Edale Skyline race traces huge ridge lines, up and down some huge hills and at 21 miles is hugely long – and it’s got wonderful views across the Derbyshire High Peak. Cambridge was represented in this absolute gem of a race by Clem Dixon, Christian Poulton and Steve Brown. The weather was foul on the day before and after, but on race day it couldn’t have been better. Last week’s ‘Beast From The East’ had left some stubborn snow on the course and it was very muddy in places but everything else was glorious, a really lovely day indeed! The gun goes and we’re off – 413 in a quick charge to the base of a zig-zag path, straight up into a heaven of a landscape and along ridges overlooking beautiful scenery. Superb. The race itself was well organised, marshalled and provided great hot food at the end, whilst the course was very challenging in places, muddy in most but exhilarating throughout. This year, it ran anti-clockwise, Clem and Steve thought it a better way round than last year, course debutant Christian enjoyed it whatever, coming in 197th in 3:52:37 and 20/46 in M50. Clem was next in 19mins later at 246th in 4:11:15 and 7/20 M55, with Steve 12mins after him at 295th in 4:23:03 and 9/20 M55. Christian and Clem were nursing niggles but soldiered on whilst Steve knocked 23mins from last years’ time and was rightly chuffed, as they say in those parts. Now fell runners like to give back, so we contributed to the local economy in time-honoured fashion and with gusto, capping off a really enjoyable weekend and making plans to do it again next year. Aspirant fell runners will love it and it’s a bit of endurance training for pre-London roadies too. Early March – make it a date.
Length – 21.15 miles; Ascent – 4419ft; Descent 4347ft