Tissington Trail Half Marathon

 

The Tissington Trail Half Marathon is held over two dates across one weekend and has established itself as a real favourite with runners, often selling out months in advance and regularly featuring in the Runner's World top 10 UK trail races. The race features chip timing, a quality bespoke medal plus well-stocked aid stations throughout.

Running along a 13-mile route from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne in Derbyshire, surrounded by beautiful countryside with a slightly downhill profile, it makes for an ideal half marathon race, with gravity on your side!

Grantham Running Club had a presence on both days over the weekend and all agreed it was a great race with the weather luckily on their side. Runners were bussed from Ashbourne to the start line in Parsley Hay ready to undertake the 13.1 mile run back.

The Saturday saw 364 runners taking part and first home for GRC and placing 28^th overall was Sam Dodwell in a time of 01:35:00. Sam was pleased that his progressive tactic to start steady and pick up speed as the miles went by paid off and gave him this great time.

Next over the finish line was Dale Towning who was delighted to gain an “unofficial” PB of 01:42:38 which is 26 minutes and 22 seconds quicker than his last half marathon time back in 2019 – a  massive improvement. Dale felt the event was well organised and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

First lady back for GRC was Sylv Hull who also gained a new “unofficial” PB coming home in a time of 01.56.58. Sylv acknowledged that the downhill profile helped her get this time but also found the gradual decline tough on the legs for such a period.  Sylv hopes to improve on her 2019 PB of 02:05:21 in a road race at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Next home and placing 5^th in her age category was Zoe Wragg in a time of 01:58:00. Zoe was pleased with this 5-minute improvement on her Great North Run time 2 weeks prior and was happy to enter sub-2-hour territory.

 

Alison Clark was next to cross the line in a time of 02:04:07, which gave her a 20-minute improvement on her previous PB time from October 2019. Alison found it different to run a point-to-point race and enjoyed the open paths and scenery along the way.

Coming in, in a respectable time of 02.24.10, was Yvonne Buckley. Yvonne appreciated the friendly marshals along the route but found the downhill running harder work on the legs than anticipated.

Next was the Sunday race, which included 4 of our GRC runners amongst a field of 303.

First home was Kevin Kettle who came 36^th overall in a great time of 01:38:25.

Nicola Cottam was next in for the club, coming 6^th in her category, in a great time of 01:56:09.  Nicola commented on how lovely and scenic the route was.

Kate Marshall crossed the line in a time of 02:12:13. Kate enjoyed the trail route despite not feeling on top form on the day and was pleased the sun made an appearance once the race began.

The final GRC runner was Tracy Webb who finished in a respectable time of 02:16:29.

The 2023 race date has already been announced as Sunday 24th September 2023 for those wanting to secure their place early!