Another significant alternative is between Pike o' Stickle and Rossett Pike. Most BGers go via the Martcrag Moor, the stream and Black Crags. However I always found that very wet over Martcrag Moor, slow down to the stream (no path and bouldery) and slow and tiring up the paths below Black Crags. I eventually went round on the path by Stake Pass. It is much further this way but saves a few hundred feet of ascent and is on goodish paths all the way is generally runable. My advice is to try both and see which you prefer. I reckon the difference in time is minimal.