Taking Part

Experience Required

Although there aren't formal qualifying criteria for the event, before attempting it we advise that you should have previous experience of completing long distances events/challenges, in hilly off-road terrain and be capable of self-navigation.

Much of the route is through remote and sometimes quite challenging terrain, both in terms of the hills and underfoot conditions. Also, given the time of year the weather conditions could involve anything from a heatwave to snow and ice, or anything in between. You should be comfortable in and equipped for this environment.

Safety

We have assessed the health and safety risks associated with the event and have put in place measures to manage these so far as reasonably practicable. However, the nature of long/ultra-distance trail running/hiking, means that participants have a higher level of responsibility for their own personal safety and that of others, than they would in a more controlled environment.

In the most part this simply means applying common sense and good judgement. However, when fatigued, extra care must be taken to ensure you do not inadvertently put yourself in danger.

Details of specific requirements relating to your safety and hazards to be mindful of will be provided in the Event Handbook, which will issued to participants prior to the event.

Navigation

The courses have been designed to make them relatively straight forward to follow, using well-trodden paths so far as possible. However, other than signs provided by the authorities to highlight rights of way, there will be no way-marking on the course. You are therefore responsible for your own route finding around the course.

Clear step by step route instructions will be made available to participants in each distance, together with gpx files that can be loaded into GPS enabled watches, smartphone apps or other devices. These will be made available in the Routes section of this page once finalised.

You will, however, be expected to carry a printed map of the route. Options for maps are as follows; 

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1) Peak Runnings bespoke Birthday Bash map (we have a very, very limited supply available on our website and once they're gone, they're gone!)

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2) Harvey Superwalker XT25 for Peak District Central

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3) Harvey Ultramap XT40 for Peak District Central

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4) OS Outdoor Leisure OL1 and OL24 (as a small section of the route is on OL24)

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5) You're also welcome to print you're own. This can be done by signing up to OS maps online. Make sure to print onto waterproof paper (or have a suitable cover for the pages) and to 1:25,000 scale, or equivalent. 1:50,000 scale is the minimum standard allowed.

Permission for the event from the National Park Authority and landowners is based on participants using the designated route, which minimises the impact on the delicate landscapes in the area. You must follow the designated route for your event throughout the event. Deliberate deviations from the route will result in disqualification and will also put the future editions of the event in jeopardy.

Kit Requirements

Weather conditions can be harsh and unpredictable in the Peak District at any time of year, and poor conditions will affect you more when you are tired. The mandatory kit requirements should therefore be considered to be the minimum that you should carry, not the maximum. This is based on what you would need to be safe if you have to stop for any reason, not just to be comfortable while running/hiking.

Mandatory requirements are:

• Whistle

• Emergency bivi bag (foil blankets are not permitted)

• Magnetic compass

• Map(s) covering the whole area of the route (1:25k scale preferred, 1:50k is the minimum requirement)

• Appropriate clothing for the challenge and weather conditions

• Appropriate footwear (trail shoes recommended, or walking boots for hikers)

• Waterproof jacket, with hood and taped seams

• Waterproof trousers with taped seams

• Additional warm layer (in case you have to stop running for a prolonged period / retire, not for comfort while running/walking), e.g. fleece or puffa jacket

• Warm hat (a buff does not count)

• Warm gloves (preferably waterproof)

• Emergency food (at least 400 calories)

• Drinks bottles and/or hydration pack to carry a minimum of 1 litre of fluid

• Fully charged mobile phone (with waterproof cover or bag)

• Head torch, plus spare batteries (participants on the 35k route not mandated to carry a head-torch).

Highly Recommended:

• GPS device for backup navigation

• Route description

• Mug for hot drinks at checkpoints (where hot water available)

• Mobile charger/power-pack

• Buff / tube-scarf

• First Aid Kit

Time Limits and Cut-Offs

Participants in the half distance (35k) must finish by 19:00 hours.

Participants in the full distance (70k) must finish by 24:00 hours (midnight).

The full amount of time you have will therefore depend on the start time that you choose.

You should also bear in mind:

1. You must not start so early that you would arrive at any checkpoints before they are open, as per the info in the route section below.

2. To be eligible for podium positions/prizes as a runner you must start with the mass start for your distance (08:30 for full distance, 10:00 for half distance). Early starters will still be timed, based on their individual start time, and included in results.

Check Points and Aid Stations

There are checkpoints/aid stations on each route as follows (this may be subject to change, but final details will be available in the Event Handbook); 

Half Route (35k) : 2 check points at Hayfield (16km) and Edale (30km) 

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Full Route (70k) : 5 check points at Hayfield (16km), Edale (30km), Bamford (42k), Hathersage (54k) and Bradwell (64k)

An overview of them and their position on the route is provided in the route section below.

As well as being points where your progress will be recorded, these locations will also act as aid stations. They will be well stocked with drinks and a variety of food. Please note that this is a ‘cup free’ event. With the exception of reusable mugs at event HQ, we will not provide any drinking vessels. You must therefore bring your own, i.e. bottles or a hydration pack to top up at checkpoints and suitable a vessel for hot drinks (mug, collapsible cup, hard bottle).

Medical Support

Medical support will be available throughout the event by personnel who specialise in this kind of event. Their role will be to provide advice and deal with the more significant issues. Minor issues, such as general footcare, dealing with blisters etc., will be your own responsibility, utilising your own first aid kit.

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Prizes and Finishers Awards

Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female finishers in each distance. To be eligible for these you must start with the mass start for competitive runners.

All finishers will receive a finishers memento. 

Note: Due to the lead time in manufacturing the finishers mementos, the number ordered will be in line with entries received by 18th March 2026. An award is therefore not guaranteed if you enter after that date and will be dependent on others not finishing / not starting the event.