Edale Skyline fell race 21.2mi., 4,643' ascent. 26/03/2017.

This was my first time on this one. It does a clockwise circuit of the Edale Valley up and down the surrounding peaks and includes a descent down the other side to Ladybower. It's quite a toughie, even in the glorious wall-to-wall sunshine and dry conditions this year.

Our first visit to Ringing Roger on the way out.

Win Hill summit from Ladybower.

Because it was my first time I'd studied the route in great detail and plotted my maps meticulously, so I knew where I needed to go. Some veterans, on the other hand, who were running on past experience failed to heed this year's route changes, so they went astray. They still finished ahead of me.

Almost smelling the finish after Grindsbrook Clough.

I was pleased with my performance and 4:50:05 finish. I knew I couldn't have gone any faster and that I'd pushed to the limit when the lightheaded-bordering-on-collapse feeling came over me after running as fast as my legs would carry me from Ringing Roger back down to the finishing field. I finished in the bottom 18.4% of starters. That's testament to my ropy genes and the quality of athletes that take part in fell races.

Arriving at the finishing field on the point of collapse (photo courtesy Riccardo Giussani).

Photo album is here. Just look at that weather and the views.