The Belper Rover took place on Sunday 13 August. Last year the event took place on one of the hottest days of the year. This year was much cooler, including a rather heavy shower that was not necessarily in the forecast!
The route is advertised as 30k – it actually measures a little short, but that tends to just be a bit of a bonus for runners when the end appears in sight. And with 600m of ascent during the race (accompanied seemingly by 600 stiles) the route provides a great challenge alongside fabulous views.
The event is excellently organised, with cheery marshals and plenty of signage. It is difficult to get too lost (but certainly not impossible if you happen to be daydreaming and not concentrating on the route).
In previous years the event has sold out quickly – the numbers seemed to be down this year. Let’s hope the runners return so that this excellent event remains on the race calendar.
For MAC, only three runners made it to the start line:
Ben Meakin, who before the race stated “I’m not sure what I will be like over 30k” turned out to be pretty good at 30k! 7th place overall in 2:19:28.
Andy Mellor managed 11th overall and first loser in the Vet 50 category in 2:22:37 (well beaten by Kurt Fitch who was showing no signs of weariness following his V50 win in MAC’s Ricky’s Race just a few days earlier).
Alice Cundy finished 60th overall (taking a top ten ladies spot) in 2:55:00.
Full race results online and some excellent race photos courtesy of Mick Hall, also online. For details of the event, see the Belper Rover website.
15 August 2023 – note that there are also a number of albums by Andy Mutley photos, available on his Facebook page
