Race Report: Half Peakskyline

Having spent the week weather watching, mulling over kit and generally worrying about how it go, it was actually a relief on Saturday to get in the car and drive over to Buxton. It was dry but grey on the drive over, and the clouds looked to be gathering. The A6 was wonderfully quiet and I arrived and parked in time to walk over and catch the ultra runners from Chorlton runners before they set off. They were quite nervous I think, or maybe I was projecting. Watching them go off to the distant strains of bagpipes on top of the hill was lovely but now I was alone and need a number and to get the rest of my kit on; the waterproof jacket question pressed on my mind and I went for at least three nervous

wees. 

The ultra had been a small field; 100-150 at a guess. The half was even smaller with less than a 100 and more women than the ultra. After a briefing that included the fact some of the arrows marking the route had washed off, we were off and I was still in the jacket with no rain. 

The first climb is as you leave the start field and you undulate through lovely woodland paths. I was making reasonable progress except for having to climb a tree they was both too high to go over elegantly and too low to go under…. I took my waterproof off on this section. People came past me and I came past people and we broke up on to the open hill at Solomons temple where the bagpiper was still playing for the half race long after the ultra runners must have passed. We then descended to a road which then began the main climb out of Buxton. 

I actually jogged most of the road uphill, and gained a few places. I was feeling strong on the uphills and wondered if I would pay for it later. The top the road gave way to a track and then a marshy ascent that was quite wet from recent rain. 

At the top we hit a track, crossed a road then continued on good firm track a while. I was running comfortably but people were pulling past which was a bit disheartening after a strong uphill run. This was to become the order of the day: strong uphills to gain places that I would lose on the flats and descents. I used to be good at descending but between Covid and a posterior tibialis niggle, it is now a weakness. 

After a while we started a more undulating/wetter section between slippy tracks and farm roads and tracks that would eventually take us down to three shires head where the half course split from the main course. By this point there was a cluster of us who were running similar paces, overtaking and being over taken as the terrain suited our individual strengths. It was very friendly for the most part. 

After the split the half continued along the Dane valley way which was a mixture of slab paving and boggy patches. I wasn’t fast and a couple of people caught me up. I was feeling less strong and started on some chia charge flap jack to try revive myself. It would have been a very beautiful section but I definitely had my self doubt head creeping in. Then I saw the end of the valley and the VERY steep section up to the road to get out of it. My calves burned as I stomped up it, keen not to lose too much time. Then the road barrier at the top caused me some indignity…. Sometimes being a little short is awkward. 

Even though the next section was steep we were all having a recovery walk from the steep climb! I enjoyed this for a bit then pulled my waterproof back on as ahead I could see shining tor with its head firmly in the clouds and weather coming in. I got trotting on the good track across the moor (it was a bit rocky but not too bad) towards the Cat and Fiddle and the check point.

I had decided to stop at the checkpoint and get water. I had already finished one 500ml bottle and half my electrolyte flask (another 500ml). I lost places here as I got tangled in my rucksack and had a chat with the marshal and really should have been better prepared with more water or a more efficient system here. I didn’t feel I was competing with people ahead of me but I wanted to do well for me and these people were dragging me along. Across the road, the course joined a track that I had done a few weeks before on a training run and we bobbled away until the ascent  of Shining Tor.

I knew I was going to walk some of this. In fact, I walked a bit more of this than I should and it was an out and back so I could see the people coming down at me further ahead and in my mind some where further ahead than they should have been. My podcast started talking about walking when you should be running and I gave myself a kick up the bum. 

The descent was not fast: I usually like descending but my ankle was not happy and I couldn’t get going. I was trying not to get frustrated at myself but I knew I should be  going faster. My ankle was having none of it. At the bottom I had joined up with two other women and we hit the road that marks the point where you start the last ascent in a line. 

The next ascent was runnable, but through thick bracken. One lady in front was taking most of the bracken beating but we were walking and it was nice for company. It wasn’t slow walking but I suppose I might have been faster in this section. Toward the top it opened out and I pulled away slightly. They would both catch me easily on the way down…. 

At the top of the hill you could see Buxton and it was about 1.5-2 miles to go (no one was sure of the exact distance). I wanted to go faster down the grassy descent but couldn’t as my left ankle felt sore medially, and my brain wouldn’t let me push it harder. I managed to get going a bit on the track then the road but not fast. Pulling in to the road section through Buxton I was pulling off 9:15 pace but the road section felt like forever and had the odd cheeky upward section. I was going to finish within my 3:30 target (my B target) easily but I wanted a strong finish. 

I hit the car park and stumbled up the steps to the finish line. It felt a bit of a none event; it was raining now so no one was really there except the lovely lady Dip I had been chasing for the last few miles, a few wet runners and the race director. I felt pleased and Dip and I got a photo. Then I walked to the car to change in to dry clothes. I was soaked through 

After I was warm and dry I walked back to the finish to await the full ultra guys. I saw on Facebook that one had pulled out due to a turned ankle and he showed up at the finish too. The first ultra runners came through soon, and I tried to do some clapping and cheering. On the tracker I could see our two remaining runners and passed time chatting and cheering .

I came 48th out of 76, and 22nd female out of 45. A solid midpack finish. The full ultra guys pulled off 12th male and 6th female which was amazing and I loved sharing their finish line excitement and hearing their stories (they had had far worse weather exposure!) It was a nice if soggy day out. 

I would definitely recommend the race. It’s not one for those who need big finish line feels but the views are lovely. The full ultra has very strict cut offs so probably isn’t a good first ultra unless you are quick. The checkpoints were friendly (i marshalled one a few years ago) and well stocked despite Covid. The full might be beyond my scope but takes in the some stunning scenery.