Anyone else doing this on Saturday? I'm torn between taking the "recommended route" and the fastest route. Last year I followed the route recommended by the organisers, as did everyone else in sight. I think there were some who took road options & shorter path options though - no idea whether these were runners or walkers. I'd prefer to take the scenic route as recommended, and I probably will, but on the other hand I do want to post as good a time as I can, and don't really want to see anyone overtaking me any way other than the hard way. The rules, such as they are, say you must visit the checkpoints in order, but the recommended route doesn't appear to be compulsory.
The main options seem to be:
1. Cutting up left of Edensor rather than going up the village street. No-brainer really as most people were doing this last year, & it's not a road option anyway.
2. Deep Dale from CP3 via GR160691 (rec. route), or the more direct path to the east. Shame to miss out on Deep Dale.
3. Paths (rec. route) or roads from Wardlow Mires to Foolow and on to Eyam. Surely nobody will take the road here will they? About the same distance, so the road will be a bit quicker I should think.
4. Drive and track via Riley Graves east of Eyam, or the obvious road route. The road will definitely be faster here, but it would be a shame to take it (imho).
5. The river route round the east of Calver (rec. route), or the road route round the west and into the village. Again the road route must be faster.
Has anyone else got their plans made? My vote's for the recommended route, but I'd rather go along with the other runners. What did you do last year? What are you planning to do this year?
See you Saturday anyway...