
After the success of the original Peak District Birthday Bash in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the forming of the UK’s first National Park, and due to popular demand, we’re delighted to have this event as a regular fixture on the Peak District calendar.
The Birthday Bash is an epic journey through the Peak District for both runners and hikers alike. It showcases the very best of the varied landscapes of the area as well as being a celebration of its anniversary.
Based in Castleton, the full route is 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) in length and will take you on a spectacular journey around the central Peak District. This is accompanied by a shorter option over half the distance (35km / 22.75-miles).
The event, which is being organised by our friends at CraggRunner in 2026, once again promises to be a challenging, fun adventure for all that take part. By entering this event you are also supporting Peak Running's community work, and the Peak District National Park Foundation Charity.
FULL BASH
70kM
Start Times
Early Start Walkers from 05:30
Early Start Runners from 06:30
Competitive Runners Mass Start 08:30
Time Limits
All participants to finish by midnight
Interim cut-off times at check-points apply.
Entry Fee
£70 UKA / TRA
£72 Unaffiliated
Event memento for all finishers
T-Shirt as optional extra (not yet available; details will be emailed out to those already entered)
Minimum age on the day is 20
No dogs permitted under UK Athletics Rules
HALF BASH
35kM
Start Times
Early Start Walkers from 07:00
Early Start Runners from 08:00
Competitive Runners Mass Start 10:00
Time Limits
All participants to finish by 19:00
Interim cut-off times at check-points apply.
Entry Fee
£43 UKA / TRA
£45 Unaffiliated
Event memento for all finishers
T-Shirt as optional extra (not yet available; details will be emailed out to those already entered)
Minimum age on the day is 18
No dogs permitted under UK Athletics Rules
Event Information
Background
The Peak District 70th Birthday Bash was an event for runners and hikers held in April 2022 in celebration of the UK's original national park's 70th anniversary, while at the same time promoting and supporting the work of Peak Running CIC the Peak District National Park Foundation charity.
Once again, the event is open to runners and long-distance walkers who have the fitness to complete their chosen distance within the time allowed.
Entries
Once entries are open they will close one week prior to the event and earlier if capacity is reached.
Please note; entry fees are subject to a £2 supplement for participants who are not affiliated to UK Athletics or members of the Trail Running Association.
By purchasing an entry you agree to CraggRunner's terms and conditions specified on their entry page.
What's Included
-
Participation in an event on a spectacular route in the Peak District National Park
-
Detailed results, including intermediate check-point splits
-
A wooden memento for all finishers
-
Comprehensive event handbook
-
Access to a detailed route description
-
GPX file of the route
-
Free to download official race photos
-
Well stocked aid stations, manned by the fabulous Blinding Peakers!
-
Hot meal for all finishers
-
Support from a highly experienced and enthusiastic event team
-
Professional first aid support
-
Optional: an event t-shirt (order when entering on SiEntries).
Location
The event in based in the heart of the beautiful and vibrant village of Castleton in the Hope Valley. The village is situated at the foot of the historic Peveril Castle and surrounded by spectacular hills.
The base for the race and event HQ is The Peveril Centre on Buxton Road which is on the western side of the village. The Post Code is S33 8WP.
Schedule
The detailed event schedule will be provided in the Event Handbook, a link to which will be sent to all participants approximately 2 weeks prior to the event.
Event Team
Our event team, The Blinding Peakers, are renowned for their enthusiasm and ability to bring a sense of fun to an event, while maintaining the professional standards needed to ensure a smooth and safe event for all involved.
They’re nearly all runners and hikers themselves, and many are ultramarathon veterans. So they know what it’s all about and know what you need, maybe even before you do.
If you are interested in joining the team please contact us at info@peakrunning.co.uk
Car Parking
To minimise impact on Castleton village and the surrounding area, which is under pressure from increased visitor numbers, we hope to have a designated parking field for the event located close to event HQ, although this is subject to the ground conditions in the lead up to the event. This will be free for participants and must be used rather than other parking areas in the village. Participants will be issued with a Parking Pass in order to gain access to the event parking. In the event of the designated field not being available, details of alternative parking will be included in the Participant Guided issued in the lead up to the event
Local Accommodation
There are various accommodation options in the area. Locally there are two Youth Hostels (Losehill Hall and Edale Activity Centre) and a number of camp sites which take tents. There are also various pubs with accommodation, B&Bs and holiday cottages. The Let's Go Peak District website is a great resource for local accommodation.
The nearest large towns/cities with greater accommodation options are Buxton (10 miles), Chesterfield (15 miles), Sheffield (15 miles), Stockport (15 miles) and Manchester (20 miles).
T-shirt (optional extra)
Birthday Bash t-shirts are an additional extra that you can choose to purchase when entering.
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;
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!)
2) Harvey Superwalker XT25 for Peak District Central
3) Harvey Ultramap XT40 for Peak District Central
4) OS Outdoor Leisure OL1 and OL24 (as a small section of the route is on OL24)
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:
-
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.
-
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)
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.
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.
Route Information
Summary
The full 70 kilometres Birthday Bash Route is a spectacular tour of the best scenery the Peak District has to offer. With around 2,600 metres (8,500ft) of elevation gain it is a challenging route but the multitude of breathtaking views make the effort worthwhile. The half distance (35k) option covers the first half of the longer route but, with over 1,300 metres (4000ft) of elevation gain itself is still a challenge that will gain you kudos.
From the start at Castleton you will climb up via the Great Ridge to Lord's Seat, before meandering your way through the hills that form the western edge of the national park to the first checkpoint at Hayfield.
You'll then visit the gathering point of the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass of 1932, which paved the way for the formation of National Parks and our right to roam in upland areas, before climbing up to traverse the edge of Kinder Scout itself - the highest mountain in the Peak District. From Kinder Scout, Jacob's Ladder will take you down into Edale where you'll reach checkpoint 2.
From Edale half distance participants will climb back over the Great Ridge to take a direct route back to Castleton. Those tackling the full 70k will continue along the valley before climbing up to Hope Cross and Win Hill which has panoramic views across the park in every direction.
Bamford will be your next checkpoint before you start the next climb up to and along the iconic Stanage Edge, with great views back across the hills you've already conquered, as well as those still to come.
You then enjoy a long descent into Hathersage where you can replenish your energy at your fourth checkpoint, before continuing your journey along some lessor known, but still wonderful, trails towards Bradwell.
There is then one last push into the hills before you can bask in the glory of your spectacular final descent to the finish in Castleton.
Distances
The distances for an event of this nature cannot be measured completely accurately due to the nature of the terrain and the obstacles that you will encounter.
We have measured them using a combination of mapping software and gps enabled devices and taken care to ensure that they are at least the advertised distance; as we know most participants would be disappointed to be short changed with the distance.
You can therefore expect a variation of up to around 5% above the advertised distances.
Overview

Route Files to Download
Below are the routes for the full and half Birthday Bash.
To download gpx files, click on the route names within the 'plotaroute' panels below. You can also view the routes in Strava or OS Maps by clicking the links below the plotaroute panels.
Written route instructions are also available HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Results
Gallery / Event Photos
Below is a selection of images from a test run of the route by some of the Peak Running Community in April 2021... the original, original Birthday Bash! Official event photos can be viewed from the below links;
Mehul Vaitha Photography, 2022
Frank Golden Sports Photos, 2022
Mehul Vaitha Photography, 2023
Frank Golden Sports Photos, 2023
Mehul Vaitha Photography, 2024
Frank Golden Sports Photos, 2024
Mehul Vaitha Photography, 2025
Terms and Conditions
The event will operate in accordance with UK Athletics Rules under a permit issued by the Trail Running Association. Permit number: TBC
When purchasing an entry you are agreeing to CraggRunner's terms and conditions specified on their entry page of the event.