The Edale Skyline – Sunday 26th March 2023
by Steve Elliff
The Edale Skyline is arguably one of the most iconic routes that Derbyshire has to offer. This 34 km / 21.1 mile route navigates the spectacular ridges and fells of the Hope Valley. Organised by the Dark Peak Fell Runners, the route is classed as a category A long fell race and with around 1250m of ascent, it’s not hard to see why. Several members of Wirksworth Running Club have taken on the challenge over the years, but this year was the turn of Graham Robinson and Steve Elliff.
After a few nervous weeks of watching the weather, we turned up in Edale prepared for blustery conditions, scattered showers and temperatures feeling like -10 on the tops. The mandatory kit check was fairly straight forwards, particularly as we were wearing much of it!
We set off from the start winding our way up the steep narrow path onto the Kinder plateau. It was hard to pass people, so you just slot into the pack as if immersed into a game of Lemmings. The ground is so steep that most people are walking, climbing just over 300 metres within the first two kilometres.
I felt a sense of relief upon reaching Ringing Roger, safe in the knowledge that there weren’t any steep climbs for a while and I could get on with what I’d come for – running!! The route offers a diverse mix of terrain, ranging from well-trodden paths, flagstones, peat bogs, heather, and grassy moorlands. On the whole, the terrain was not too bad, but there were a few occasions where it was simply impossible to avoid losing your foot in a bog. Shortly after this happened, I slipped on a rock and fell. I managed to get my left hand out in front of me which just saved my head hitting the ground, and gave the rock an unplanned high five! With a rather numb hand, I got back on my feet and continued, all be it more cautiously than before!
I could see Graham was about 50 metres in front of me, so once the ground stabilised, I focused on upping my pace, and catching him up. Whilst a race like this is definitely an individual challenge, having some moral support and banter along the way definitely helps. We crossed the main road at the base of Mam Tour and headed in the direction of Hollins Cross. This was the busiest section of the course, and you have to navigate a lot of ramblers who do a mixture of opening gates, shout encouragement or just get in the way!
The beauty of the Edale Skyline is that on a clear day you can see both where you have come from and also where you have left to go! Luckily for us, the clouds stayed above the summits and you could get a real sense of accomplishment from what had already been achieved. After an enjoyable grassy decent from Lose Hill comes the realisation that you are back in the valley, with an almighty slog up Winhill to come! Now 23k’s into the race, you accept that it’s time to walk again, and concentrate on refuelling and taking in fluid as you make your way back onto the ridgeline. At this point, the combination of steep decent followed by a steep climb was starting to take its toll on my left knee. Graham slowly disappeared into the distance, although we had one last chance to shout a mixture of abuse and encouragement as the route goes back on itself for a short way after Winhill.
As you make your way along the ridgeline, there is just one more climb onto Crookston Hill which puts you back onto the Kinder plateau. From here you follow the pleasant trail back to Ringing Roger ready for the sharp decent into Edale.
After 3 hours, 49 minutes, and 26 seconds Graham returned to take 75th place, shortly followed by Steve in 3 hours, 53 minutes and 45 seconds, in 85th place. With two hundred and nineteen participants this puts both Wirksworth runners in the top 40% of the field.
Regardless to whether running the Edale Skyline is on your bucket list or not, I would highly recommend you check out the route, and if possible consider walking it. On the right day, the views are spectacular and well worth the effort. I had previously walked the route and this, coupled with cloud free summits, definitely helped with navigation. For anyone thinking of running the race, the pie and mushy peas at the end definitely makes it all worthwhile!
Link to the route: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/15928425/edale-skyline