Background

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Creating an iconic ultramarathon for the Peak District is something that Peak Running founders, Andy Brooks (Brooksie) and Chris Hopkinson, have been thinking about for many years. As a fell and trail runner since the mid 90's, Brooksie has always had a penchant for going long. So, while there have been some great races in the Peaks over the years, satisfying that desire has traditionally meant travelling a long way from his Derbyshire home. To take on his first 100-miler, he had to go all the way to the mountains of Virgina, because there was yet to be one in the UK in those days! Chris' passion for mountain marathons in remote locations, and the challenge of planning routes through the terrain, is something that has seen him travel to other parts of the UK, and overseas (including Iceland and Japan) over the years, to enjoy his fix too. The increase in popularity of mountain and ultra-running in the UK in more recent times has led to some fantastic events emerging in the other national parks. Something that the guys have revelled in. But their own backyard, the Peak District, was still crying out for something special in their view. Our aim, therefore, with The Peak District Ultras is to provide an event that's not only a fantastic experience for those taking part, but something that is also a special day for the communities within our favourite playground, the 'original' national park. In our view, the Peak District is the best place on the planet to go for a run. Click HERE to to understand why.

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Entries

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Entries will go on sale in early November 2019 and close at midnight on 20th August 2020 or earlier if the capacity is reached. The prices for entries are: Millstone 100 : £130 Limestone 50 : £75 Peveril 33 : £55 The above prices are subject to a £2 supplement for participants who are not affiliated to UK Athletics or members of the Trail Runnings Association. Up to 150 places are available in each of the three races. By purchasing an entry you agree to the terms on conditions specified below in the ' Taking Part' section of this website.

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What's Included?

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• Participation in a race on a spectacular route in the Peak District National Park

• Detailed results, including intermediate check-point splits

• A unique memento for finishers

• Comprehensive event handbook

• Access to a detailed route description

• GPX file of the route

• Well stocked aid stations

• Hot meal at the finish

• Support from an highly experienced and enthusiastic event team

• Live GPS tracking (for Millstone 100 participants)

• Professional medical support

• Option to purchase a high quality event technical t-shirt (order when entering)

---

Location

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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 which is on the western side of the village.

The address is:

The Peveril Centre

Buxton Road

Castleton

Hope Valley

Derbyshire

S33 8WP

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Race Ethos

---

Our ethos for the event is aligned with our ethos for Peak Running as a whole. We want it to be an event that is capable of challenging even the most experienced ultra-runners, while also inspiring those within the wider running community to push their boundaries and achieve things they may not have thought possible themselves. So, in addition to the race itself, there is bags of guidance and support available to help you achieve your ambitions and complete the event safely. We want there to be some tough competition at the front of the fields in each distance. But we also recognise that, for the majority, simply finishing is winning for them. So even if you're not a fast runner, or you'd prefer to hike, it's designed to accommodate you. From a broader perspective, we want to make it an event that has a positive impact on the Peak District, its communities and the local environment. An event that residents, local businesses, and those that look after the delicate landscapes within the park, support and look foward to. Our commitments to this fundamental aim for the event include:

• Donating a proportion of the profits to the Peak District National Park Foundation charity to help them protect this wonderful park, for everyone, forever.
• Building strong relationships with the park authorities and land managers, their rangers and other stakeholders.
• Organising conservation days for runners to help carry out important conservation and restoration work on the trails within the park.
• Using the event as a vehicle to help promote and educate people on the work and behaviours necessary to maintain the beauty of the park for future generations.
• Using community facilities for event HQ and checkpoints wherever possible.
• Using local independant buinesses for supplies, such as race mementos, t-shirts etc.
• Ensuring there will be no trace of the event by the time it is wrapped up on the Sunday.

---

Schedule

---

Friday 4th September 2020

16:30 Registration Opens – Millstone 100 only

18:00 Registration Closes

18:15 Race Briefing – The Millstone 100

19:00 The Millstone 100 starts

19:15 Registration Opens – The Limestone 50 & Peveril 33

21:00 Registration Closes

Saturday 5th September 2020

06:30 Registration Opens

08:00 Registration Closes

08:15 Race Briefing -The Limestone 50 & Peveril 33

09:00 The Limestone 50 & Peveril 33 start

Sunday 6th September 2020

07:00 Deadline to complete all races

---

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 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.

---

Car and Campervan Parking

---

A dedicated event car and campervan park, with temporary toilets, will be provided close to race HQ in Castleton. This is available to both participants and supporters throughout the weekend for a small charge.

Full details of the arrangements will be provided in the Event Handbook prior 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 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).

---

Background

---

Creating an iconic ultramarathon for the Peak District is something that Peak Running founders, Andy Brooks (Brooksie) and Chris Hopkinson, have been thinking about for many years. As a fell and trail runner since the mid 90's, Brooksie has always had a penchant for going long. So, while there have been some great races in the Peaks over the years, satisfying that desire has traditionally meant travelling a long way from his Derbyshire home. To take on his first 100-miler, he had to go all the way to the mountains of Virgina, because there was yet to be one in the UK in those days! Chris' passion for mountain marathons in remote locations, and the challenge of planning routes through the terrain, is something that has seen him travel to other parts of the UK, and overseas (including Iceland and Japan) over the years, to enjoy his fix too. The increase in popularity of mountain and ultra-running in the UK in more recent times has led to some fantastic events emerging in the other national parks. Something that the guys have revelled in. But their own backyard, the Peak District, was still crying out for something special in their view. Our aim, therefore, with The Peak District Ultras is to provide an event that's not only a fantastic experience for those taking part, but something that is also a special day for the communities within our favourite playground, the 'original' national park. In our view, the Peak District is the best place on the planet to go for a run. Click HERE to to understand why.

---

Entries

---

Entries will go on sale in early November 2019 and close at midnight on 20th August 2020 or earlier if the capacity is reached. The prices for entries are: Millstone 100 : £130 Limestone 50 : £75 Peveril 33 : £55 The above prices are subject to a £2 supplement for participants who are not affiliated to UK Athletics or members of the Trail Runnings Association. Up to 150 places are available in each of the three races. By purchasing an entry you agree to the terms on conditions specified below in the ' Taking Part' section of this website.

---

What's Included?

---

• Participation in a race on a spectacular route in the Peak District National Park

• Detailed results, including intermediate check-point splits

• A unique memento for finishers

• Comprehensive event handbook

• Access to a detailed route description

• GPX file of the route

• Well stocked aid stations

• Hot meal at the finish

• Support from an highly experienced and enthusiastic event team

• Live GPS tracking (for Millstone 100 participants)

• Professional medical support

• Option to purchase a high quality event technical t-shirt (order when entering)

---

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 which is on the western side of the village.

The address is:

The Peveril Centre

Buxton Road

Castleton

Hope Valley

Derbyshire

S33 8WP

---

Race Ethos

---

Our ethos for the event is aligned with our ethos for Peak Running as a whole. We want it to be an event that is capable of challenging even the most experienced ultra-runners, while also inspiring those within the wider running community to push their boundaries and achieve things they may not have thought possible themselves. So, in addition to the race itself, there is bags of guidance and support available to help you achieve your ambitions and complete the event safely. We want there to be some tough competition at the front of the fields in each distance. But we also recognise that, for the majority, simply finishing is winning for them. So even if you're not a fast runner, or you'd prefer to hike, it's designed to accommodate you. From a broader perspective, we want to make it an event that has a positive impact on the Peak District, its communities and the local environment. An event that residents, local businesses, and those that look after the delicate landscapes within the park, support and look foward to. Our commitments to this fundamental aim for the event include:

• Donating a proportion of the profits to the Peak District National Park Foundation charity to help them protect this wonderful park, for everyone, forever.
• Building strong relationships with the park authorities and land managers, their rangers and other stakeholders.
• Organising conservation days for runners to help carry out important conservation and restoration work on the trails within the park.
• Using the event as a vehicle to help promote and educate people on the work and behaviours necessary to maintain the beauty of the park for future generations.
• Using community facilities for event HQ and checkpoints wherever possible.
• Using local independant buinesses for supplies, such as race mementos, t-shirts etc.
• Ensuring there will be no trace of the event by the time it is wrapped up on the Sunday.

---

Schedule

---

Friday 4th September 2020

16:30 Registration Opens – Millstone 100 only

18:00 Registration Closes

18:15 Race Briefing – The Millstone 100

19:00 The Millstone 100 starts

19:15 Registration Opens – The Limestone 50 & Peveril 33

21:00 Registration Closes

Saturday 5th September 2020

06:30 Registration Opens

08:00 Registration Closes

08:15 Race Briefing -The Limestone 50 & Peveril 33

09:00 The Limestone 50 & Peveril 33 start

Sunday 6th September 2020

07:00 Deadline to complete all races

---

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 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.

---

Car and Campervan Parking

---

A dedicated event car and campervan park, with temporary toilets, will be provided close to race HQ in Castleton. This is available to both participants and supporters throughout the weekend for a small charge.

Full details of the arrangements will be provided in the Event Handbook prior 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 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).

---

Overview

---

The Millstone 100 provides a grand tour of all aspects of the Peak District, and consists of 2 very different loops of approximately 50 miles, with 8,900ft and 7,600ft of elevation gain respectively.

On the first loop participants head north into the night from race HQ in Castleton on a clockwise circuit of the area often referred to as the 'Dark Peak'. This starts with a crossing of the Great Ridge to meet the start of the Pennine Way in Edale, which the course follows over the high fells of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow. After descending from Bleaklow it tracks east across some desolate moorland before turning south towards Margery Hill and the majestic Derwent Edge. The first half is then capped off with, in our opinion, the two best views in the Peaks from Win and Lose Hill.

For the second half, participants climb back out of Castleton; this time on a loop to the south which is very different, but equally beautiful to, the first half. The high edges of the eastern peak are followed by some respite from the hills as the course follows the Derwent valley through the historic Chatsworth estate. On reaching Darley Dale it turns to begin the final quarter of the 100-miles, which takes in a number of dramatic canyon like dales, before the final iconic descent back to Castleton.

The Limestone 50 is a clockwise circuit to the south of race HQ in Castleton, taking in the second half of the Millstone 100 mile route.

The Peverill 33 may be the shortest of our trio of races, but it doesn't mean the coruse is any less spectacular than the others. It shares the first 16 and last 9 miles with the Limestone 50. In between is a climb out of Baslow to enjoy great views back across the high edges of the eastern peak, and a traverse of Longstone Edge as the course descends to rejoin the longer routes at the iconic Monsal Head.

---

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.

---

Highlights

---

The nature of the Peak District, and the routes we have chosen means that, as well as the two loops that make up the 100-mile distance being very different, each individual section of all three races is spectacular in its own way.

We're confident that you will love the route of whichever distance you choose, and will even love overcoming the challenges presented by the bits you may hate!

Below is our view of the highlights (and lowlights) of each section.

---

Overview

---

The Millstone 100 provides a grand tour of all aspects of the Peak District, and consists of 2 very different loops of approximately 50 miles, with 8,900ft and 7,600ft of elevation gain respectively.

On the first loop participants head north into the night from race HQ in Castleton on a clockwise circuit of the area often referred to as the 'Dark Peak'. This starts with a crossing of the Great Ridge to meet the start of the Pennine Way in Edale, which the course follows over the high fells of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow. After descending from Bleaklow it tracks east across some desolate moorland before turning south towards Margery Hill and the majestic Derwent Edge. The first half is then capped off with, in our opinion, the two best views in the Peaks from Win and Lose Hill.

For the second half, participants climb back out of Castleton; this time on a loop to the south which is very different, but equally beautiful to, the first half. The high edges of the eastern peak are followed by some respite from the hills as the course follows the Derwent valley through the historic Chatsworth estate. On reaching Darley Dale it turns to begin the final quarter of the 100-miles, which takes in a number of dramatic canyon like dales, before the final iconic descent back to Castleton.

The Limestone 50 is a clockwise circuit to the south of race HQ in Castleton, taking in the second half of the Millstone 100 mile route.

The Peverill 33 may be the shortest of our trio of races, but it doesn't mean the coruse is any less spectacular than the others. It shares the first 16 and last 9 miles with the Limestone 50. In between is a climb out of Baslow to enjoy great views back across the high edges of the eastern peak, and a traverse of Longstone Edge as the course descends to rejoin the longer routes at the iconic Monsal Head.

---

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.

---

Highlights

---

The nature of the Peak District, and the routes we have chosen means that, as well as the two loops that make up the 100-mile distance being very different, each individual section of all three races is spectacular in its own way.

We're confident that you will love the route of whichever distance you choose, and will even love overcoming the challenges presented by the bits you may hate!

Below is our view of the highlights (and lowlights) of each section.

---