Marsden to Edale - Trigger Race

News

26th January - I forgot to update with the amount that we raised for Woodhead Mountain Rescue which is £2782. Thanks very much for all the entries and donations. I've put my report up here and updated the Prize list  but there is nothing changed from the results - it just makes the Category winners easier to find!

13th January - Massive thanks to everybody - Amanda and Andrew of Racekit, Woodhead Mountain Rescue, Pete Sparks and all the landowners and hall owners. And very importantly to all the runners who did go over the stile - from what I hear that was everybody and it will really help the race in future years to be able to say that runners do want to help the restoration as much as anybody and we can direct them away from sensitive areas. Well done to all 175 runners (one retirement) who completed today.

12th January - we have just been and marked the stile up. We have also put a Blue road arrow on the brow of the hill. If you leave the path where the arrow is and run down the patch of grass (just visible behind the far left marker in the right hand photo) you come across a trod that leads you round to the right of the bogs/tussocks and then to the stile. It's far better than leaving the path later on as the further east you are the more tussocks there are.

10th January 2013 - Due to the very wet weather we have been having recently we have agreed with United Utilities that we will make a minor change to the route across Sliddens Moss (which is on route from Black Hill to Crowden) in order to reduce the footfall.

As No 2 of the Details page - On leaving Black Hill Trig checkpoint follow the Pennine Way until the marker flag (just before pond). Descend as normal from there. On reaching the fence which crosses Sliddens Moss you must cross using the stile at SE 073 035. This is slightly west (75m) of the usual stile/crossing point. The stile will be well marked so there will be no excuses for using the old one. After crossing the stile you are free to choose your route into Crowden.

The landowners are concerned about the path that is being created across the moss. Sliddens is the sight of an RSPB spagnum moss trial which is currently in progress. We have permission to cross this area and in exchange we have agreed to try and eliminate this path. So .....

a) Please try and spread out

b) Use the designated stile to cross the fence

c) Try and avoid the areas that have been cut by the RSPB and marked out with small pegs.

If you intended to descend to Crowden via the Pennine Way this information does not concern you. Many thanks.

PS Please bake / bring cakes. Weather looking very good but cold! See you Sunday!

18th December - We've had a number of people who cannot run the race and have very helpfully contacted me to tell me. This has allowed us to accept more runner from the Reserve list onto the Entry List.

As well as the Fellrunner Forum   we have set up a Facebook page so that people can discuss route options / carshare etc.

The conditions this year seem to be good for reccying so will undoubtedly be foul on the day. Regarding the Kit List there will be a board at Registration informing runners of the Kit we require. As there is a bag drop so spare kit can be transported to Edale there will be no excuse for not having the right kit.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

1) Fill out a Registration form - this will include details of an "Emergency Contact" - this is the name / phone number / car registration of someone who is likely to know your whereabouts on the day of the race and / or would like to know if you go missing. For example

a) If you have travelled with friends then it's them.

b) If you have travelled with your family then it's then them.

c) If travelled alone and your family / friends are at home then it's them.

2) Get your Kit Checked

The person checking your kit will initial your form

3) Get your Number

Take your form and collect your number.

You're ready to run .......enjoy !

5th December - Not only is the race full but I started a Reserve List and that is now full so if anyone sends an entry it won't be accepted. I'm hoping to let people that are on the Reserve List know before Christmas whether we can accept them.

The trophies have been returned and are now in the Huntsman over Christmas so that people can view them. We have heard that last year very keen Trig Baggers made the very arduous trek through wintery conditions into the pub and recorded them as "visited". Flush Brackets locations are all recorded and listed on the www.bench-marks.org.uk . Here is the Men's Trophy  bm12397 and the Ladies Trophy  bm12396

CAKES - As we did last year we are hoping to boost funds by asking for donations for the cakes that are provided for all runners and supporters. So once again we are asking for cakes to be baked or bought (we're not fussy!) and brought to the start or given to WHMRT or myself in the week before the race.

START - Tea / Coffee / Cakes - there will be refreshments available at the start which are free - but please clear out your spare change and donate something to WHMRT or Marsden Cricket Club.

HELPERS - we could always do with offers of help. Just email me in the week before telling me when and where you are available and I'll allocate you a job. Thanks

20th November - The race is now full with the quota taken for non-starters.

Scott Gilmour from the Spine Race has confirmed that he has booked Edale Village Hall for his race start on Saturday 12th January and has donated the hall to us for the race food and presentation on Sunday 13th. Thanks very much Scott for this and hope we get some nice conditions for both races!

Ian Winterburn from Everything Outdoors has kindly donated a place on his Navigation Course as a Spot Prize. We have yet to decide how this could be awarded but be warned if you end up in Glossop on race day that it could be coming your way and attendance would be mandatory!

10th November - Entries are trickling in at a good rate. We are going to take slightly over 200 to account for non starters so I've changed the Entry List to reflect how many places are left rather than how many entries we have got.

4th November - Entries are up to 175 which is encouraging.

We had our first organiser's meeting in the Huntsman last Wednesday but as most things are the same as last year there wasn't much to discuss. Pete Sparks of Bank View Cafe has again offered to cook the soup and chilli which was fantastic. We are again asking supporters and runners for cakes to be served with tea both at the start and the finish. Last year the number and quality of cakes was impressive and it would be good to match this again!

27th October - Shane Bates from National Trust has been in touch - we have the go ahead to run the race without restrictions across Kinder. He is concerned about the restoration dams causing problems for the runners across Ashop Valley as there has been a case of walkers getting stuck. So keep an eye out for them.  Marsden Cricket Club have kindly offered us the use of  the kitchen on Sunday 13th Jan so we will be able to offer tea / coffee and cakes (flapjack etc) before the start. Entries are steadily coming in. We're up to 153 now. We're going to take slightly more than 200 to account for drop outs so keep sending those entries in!

12th October - I have put the Entry list as of 10th October up.  I have sent Confirmations out to all these entrants.

While talking with Mark Reeves at Fieldhead Campsite he said that the campsite will be open in January for campers and that he will give 10% discount to competitors, family and marshalls over the weekend. We are also going to put some signs up to the showers from the changing tent as they were available last year but people seemed unaware of this. The few people that had a shower said you got a good 20p's worth!

30th September - We've already received 47 entries !!

20th September - 2013 Entry form For anyone wishing to enter we do check the Experience required and will contact you to confirm details if we think it's necessary. The ability to navigate is very important as none of the route is marked / flagged and there are many route options.

14th September ....STOP PRESS..... I have been checking the email account all summer and not had any mail. Today I have queried this and have found that all incoming mails have been being deleted. I have contacted the service provider and fixed the problem I apologise for this and if anyone has sent me a query that is why I haven't replied. Please resend.

On a positive note things are moving forward for permissions and a new start location: Marsden Cricket Club which has plenty of indoor area and lots of toilets!!

5th February - Everything on last year's race (15th Jan 2012) went well and we are extremely pleased with the feedback. Overall we raised £2502 for Woodhead Mountain Rescue and hope to beat that somehow next year.

I have revamped the website to archive all of the 2012 race information. Next year's race is pencilled in for the 13th January 2013. Please keep checking this website for details of entry forms, checkpoints etc as we hope to have details by the summer of 2012.