Belated reply to Stolly and others to explain event and hopefully relieve some frustration. First it's for teams of 4 because it's always been. Started in 1971 by the University Scout and Guide Association ( now called The High Peak Club) it follows the same format as scout walks ( 4 Inns etc). Interested in your comments about drop outs and safety, I see your point but we won't be changing it. Remember we allow teams to drop out before the event and give them a place for next year (and refund if not) precisely to avoid last minute cobbled together teams. We should advertise this more clearly perhaps.
Regarding the lottery for the first 30+ years it was the normal 'first come first served' on entries. We got the odd complaint from regular teams who weren't quick enough ( including past winners!). Then about 6 years ago we had 10 teams drop out at or before Moscar!! Which was silly. Basically we had a lot of novice teams who had entered quickly and let in because they looked experienced on paper but obviously weren't up to the HPM ( the weather wasn't bad). That was when we decided to do lottery based on past experience. System is each team member gets a ticket for every time they've entered HPM whether successful or not. I've compiled a database going back 10 years. Everyone is in the lottery, we don't actually reserve any places except for top 3 (this accounted for 10 teams this year, but we are thinking of reducing it to top 2). System just gives experienced teams a far greater chance of getting in. Every team gets 2 tickets (works better than just one we found). Teams who have entered 10 times between them get 12 tickets. So you'd have thought impossible for novice teams to get in? Not so! this year we have about 10 lucky novice (or almost novice) teams and of course some unlucky experienced teams. This system seems to produce a fair spread. I have also kept a record of people who keep entering unsuccessfully and we might in future give them a better chance if they continue to be unlucky. You won't be on this list because you got in another team anyway. As I said all entries get a ticket, not just the successful. So keep trying your luck will change, we think it's fair. It was a whole lost easier pre-internet when no-one except a few locals had heard of High Peak Marathon and to get in you had to know someone who knew someone etc.