Sal's Ultra Blog

I’ve done this race 4 times before and always enjoy it as a kick-start to the year’s racing. Two years ago Dave joined me and helped me get a PB of 5hrs 45 – this year was nowhere near that due to rain, wind, mud and more mud!

The Scout hut is under the “Derby” label. The route goes anticlockwise – the black line is a reckie, the red line is the whole beast!

The race starts at the 27th Derby Scout HQ in Chaddesden, with walkers setting off from 7am and runners from 8 (so there’s generally someone to follow). The route goes NE through Locko Park then down to the 1st checkpoint at Stanley for squash and Jelly Babies, then you follow the Mid-Shires Way to Morley & Drum Hill. I was now wet enough to put my cag on! Then the 1st walk up Little Eaton Hill and down the steps to Checkpoint 2 The Bridge Inn.

ViewRanger says “Total climb: 615 metres”

I was very slow on this 3rd section due to mud – it was like running through glue for 90 mins! There was a diversion due to a bridge being destroyed near Mackworth. This avoided going up the hill to Lower Vicarwood, but made it about half a km longer. Past Mackworth water tower and onto Checkpoint 3 Radbourne for a welcome cup of coffee. Felt sorry for the marshals under their gazebo but they all did a great job.

The next section is very pretty, then you end up in Mickleover where there’s a slight hill which everyone dreads as it coincides with going through the wall! Checkpoint 4 is at the Toyota works at Burnaston (more coffee!) and 10 mins later you take your life in your hands to cross the A38. Soon into Findern where I met Dave for moral support along the much-feared 5-mile canal section. He bought me a glucose drink which I was very glad of as I was starting to cramp and I don’t carry drink on this race as the checkpoints have plenty. He also put my map onto page 5 which was no mean feat as it was looking like papier mache!

The last checkpoint is where you leave the canal at Swarkestone, from which it’s about an hour to the Finish but a lot of willpower is needed as the cycle paths are quite monotonous. Across the bridge over the A52 and back to the Scout Hut in 6hrs 38 to a good spread of soup, tea and cake. Job done!!

Link to the beginnings of the race

Probably about half a kilo of mud on each leg?!