Today was the day, my first outing in blue. Where better to do it but in Matlock! The weather was pretty much prefect for running, dry, not too hot and a little breezy. I think there were a couple of us took on the Matlock Skyline Challenge. The event raises funds for Derby Mountain Rescue; what’s not to like, support a charity and get to run/walk 22 miles, or an 11 mile option was introduced this year. This year’s the event raised over £4700.
This was the third time I’d taken on the challenge, each year getting quicker, no pressure. The circular route provided participants with a unique blend of scenic beauty and physical challenge. Traversing the valleys on either side of Matlock, the course featured numerous hills, accumulating 3600 feet of elevation. With some short road sections most of the course is off road with stone-walled meadows, expansive moorland, serene woodland, picturesque villages, and the magnificent Riber Castle letting you know there is about a mile to go and it’s all down hill.
I finished in 4:36 (strava time) a 30 min PB from last year. At the finish I bumped into Nick who came home after me but hadn’t started till a little later so was a little quicker overall, Jack Cummins also ran it in 3:51. We exchanged stories about the course and how we both preferred the first half but both glad we got it done.
https://www.derbymrt.org.uk/p/matlock-skyline
