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Thanks Daz, I'll check out the previous thread (I didn't spot it and should have searched - doh!). Thanks also DT and Drunkeneuphoria, some useful warnings. I've done the Hope Moors & Tors a couple of times and the nav gets a bit serious on the Kinder Scout section, but this sounds like it's on a different scale. That dibber hanging off a tree over water might take a bit of spotting!!
entries open...
I'm in! :thumbup:
I did the event last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a great course, but in my opinion not navigationally challenging if you keep the map handy.
The route is intricate as there are lots of turning points/path junctions which would be easy to miss if not vigilant, but almost the entire route is on well established footpaths, trails and minor roads. The maps provided were very well marked and the detailed route description was more than adequate. I expected the most difficult section to navigate (or at least the easiest to make a mistake on) to be from the hanging checkpoint near Burbage Bridge, through Lawrencefield and the woods around Bole Hill quarry, but this was well taped on the day.
IMO DT's point about self sufficiency is good advice.
It's a fun day out :)
A New Boy(!) on here. I'm keen to run the LToB this year & have read the various comments on this thread. I appreciate this is a toughie & wonder how much experience of fell running is needed. I would hope to recce much, if not all, of the route before race day but I wonder what level of competency in map reading do I need to have?
I will need to step up my training for the hills but I expect to be towards the rear rather than mid-pack.
Thanks in advance for advice.
If you can follow a map then you'll be fine on LToB, no need for taking bearings or any of the like as it generally follows well defined paths and tracks, and it is very well marshalled and taped where needed. However, if you are looking at getting into trail and fell ultras in general then it would be very wise to get a few basic map reading skills in the bag.
This is a good starting point http://www.peteblandsports.co.uk/pro...ad-runners.htm - handy little book that covers what you'll need. If you want to take it further then the FRA offer navigation courses which I'm told are excellent.
Back to LToB, the only 'non-apparent' sections I found last year are the field at the end of the Thornhill Trail below Win Hill (just head straight for Bamford), and as FellGazelle points out, the route around Lawrence Field. However in both cases it became fairly obvious pretty much straight away. That said, I can't figure out what the point is of putting that checkpoint in such an odd place by Lower Burbage Bridge. It's supposed to be a foot race, not an orienteering event. And be careful on the climb up to Stanage Edge, as I imagine many people run straight past the checkpoint half way up as it is set back from the track and not at all obvious.
I'll be putting my entry in this week, love this race. Hoping not to implode half way round this time. DT's comments about self sufficiency however are spot on. And yes, it does punch above it's weight. I ran well last year on the whole, and still clocked 6:11, which tells you all you need to know about the severity of those 50kms. A lot of climbing, and the heat really doesn't help. :)
Hi Simgreen, it's the 'non-apparent' bits that concerned me really, although I hadn't realised the route is taped. I did High Peak 40 last year & that's very well signposted.
Comments on this thread suggest the checkpoint near Lower Burbage Bridge could be better placed elsewhere. Praps there will be a change this year. I will need to recce the area & that climb up to Stanage Edge too.
Thanks for the link. Are you in 'Pete Bland' country or is that just a coincidence? I ask cos I was in there last summer for some shoes while on holiday. I'm stating the obvious I know but 'tis a lovely area.
Thanks again.
Hi Jim,
I think only that one bit of route is taped. Its one of these events where your best to take map, route descrip and try and tag on to somebody who know's a bit about the route (but keeping an eye on map, route descrip so your not just blindly following). Chances are you may make a mistake or two on your first go at this one - I often do on new courses. But if you come back next year and do it again you will have recall of much of the route and know the bits to look out for. Recceing will probably help too.
It wasn't always taped either. I've done every one and last year was the best marked I've known it. I recall the tape on the climb through the shrubbery on the barely discernible trod was so widely spaced you'd struggle to follow it anyway. I was glad I already knew where to go on that bit. A map with route marked on is definitely advisable, also to pre-warn you of the off-route dibbing box on the climb up to Stanage Edge (which I and plenty of others missed in the first year) and to direct you on the final descent back to the finish.
I really enjoyed this one last year.
We seriously cocked up the navigation in the Yarncliff/Bolehill Wood area, some how missed the path off and ended up more or less at Grindleford Station, which induced a bit of a sense of humour failure!
I did it for the first time in 2010 and didn't go wrong, but I had recce'd it pretty thoroughly
I think they put the Stanage Edge and Burbage Bridge CP's off-path to minimise the chances of their being vandalised/interfered with, as they're both pretty busy areas
biggest tip I would give is to take it easy during the first half (til Hope) cos that's got all the main hills and if you "batter" it you'll seriously pay for it in the second half (voice of experience :w00t: )
This is a CRACKING event/route, and I'll be back this year to do a proper job of it :closed: