Cast your minds back… it is the 7th of June, the forecast for the Peak District was rain, torrential rain, thunder and lightning and more rain. With this in mind, 5 plucky GRC members, dug out their waders, full waterproofs and snorkels and prepared for a tough, challenging day; but what a wonderful day it actually was.
The early rain didn’t dampen spirits, and after parking in the glorious grounds of Chatsworth House, Sarah High, Graig Drury and Peter Jennings wandered to Baslow Village Hall for registration and collection of the Marshal Point clipping cards. Then, back to the Chatsworth House estate to meet up with Catherine Payne and the injured Robert McArdle at the mass start point.
The Baslow Boot Bash consists of two distances, 14 and 26 miles with walkers and runners taking part in both. Robert was ready, sick note from Matron in hand, to conquer the shorter but equally tough course, whilst Catherine, Sarah, Graig and Peter were feeling strong and had opted to go long.
With a shouted ‘go’, the 19th edition of the ‘challenge’ was started, initially heading through the estate amongst the sheep and visitors but mainly headlong into a deluge of runners taking part in the ‘Maverick Peaks Merlin Trail Run’.
Up hills and across sheep and cow filled pastures, through wildlife and garlic filled woods, and down slippery, muddy slopes we stumbled, walked and ran. Through endless field gates, squeezy gaps and over stone steps in the walls we went, each stride taking us further towards our goal. On the downhill sections Peter was in his element, bounding down them at speed like a demented deer.
We visited each Marshal Point in turn, chatting to the volunteers, the ‘Derbyshire Light Medical’ and the ‘Raynet’ communications team as we went along our merry way, enjoying the beauty of our surroundings in the Peak District National Park.
The rain mostly held off ensuring the day was perfect for running and walking, although there were 9 fallers along the way, 2 requiring the expert attention of the medical team, one of which was whisked away to hospital (both thankfully recovered).
The Peaks have awe-inspiring vistas, with limestone plateaus and dales but can be a dangerous place for the unwary. However, with strength, courage and tenacity, overcoming injuries and tiredness, everyone else completed the challenges, probably with the thoughts of the pie, peas and gravy meal at the end foremost in their minds.
On the 26-mile route, Joe Mumby was first male in 3:56:03 whilst Emma Price was first lady in 4:05:54 and beating the previous record by half an hour.
On the 14-mile route, Will Spalton was first male in 1:49:04 and Jane Crowson was first lady in 2:05:22, both setting faster times than previous years.
Results for GRC were:
26 Miles – 147 finishers:
Peter Jennings, 10th overall and 7th male in 4:34:57,
Catherine Payne, 15th overall and 6th Lady in 5:07:09
Graig Drury, 19th overall and 12th male in 5:10:46
Sarah High, 20th overall and 8th lady in 5:11:42
All setting new PBs ranging from 13 minutes to over an hour.
14 Miles – 124 finishers
The injured Robert McArdle battled through the pain barriers to complete the route in a very respectable 61st place in 4:15:22
Huge thanks to the Baslow Choir volunteers who cheerfully provided the copious mugs of tea, the pies and puddings and to Glyn Herron for successfully directing the event.
Roll on 13th June 2026 for the 20th event.
Report by Peter Jennings.