Baslow Bootbash

(L to R) Nick, Yvonne, Sarah, Penny, Andrew, Robert, Catherine, Rushie, front row Brendon and Mark

Ten members of Grantham Running Club travelled to the Peak District to take part in the annual Baslow Boot Bash trail run. Runners could choose between a 26 or a 14 mile course across the beautiful mixed terrain of the White Peak. There were 92 starters on the 14 mile route and 153 starters on the 26 mile route which included a total ascent of 1,165 metres. The event was run on one of the hottest days of the year with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees. The humidity proved a particular challenge on the long route and caused a higher than average retirement rate with 22 runners falling victim to the high temperatures. The 26 mile route from Baslow visited,  Chatsworth, the River Wye, Over Haddon, Sheldon, Cressbrook, Foolow and Froggatt Bridge before returning to Balsow via Bank Wood. The route was familiar to Paul Rushworth who returned in 5 hours 14 minutes closely followed by Nick Payne who navigated his own way through the course at his first attempt arriving back in 5 hours 37 minutes. On the 14 mile route, Penny Hodges returned in 14th position and Yvonne and Brendan Buckley followed in 3:23, all three runners are tempted to consider the longer route next year. Full results 26 mile: 8th Paul Rushworth 5:14 13th Nick Payne 5:37 21st Catherine Payne 5:55 22nd Robert McArdle 5:55 26th Andrew MacAllister 6:05 36th Mark Hillson 6:34 37th Sarah High 6:34. 14 Mile: 14th Penny Hodges 3:05 19th Yvonne Buckley 3:23 20th Brendon Buckley 3:24.