Hot Runs

Saturday: myself and Tim headed over to Hathersage to recce part of the Long Tour of Bradwell. The weather was hot and humid, and away from the shade of trees it was sticky hot. Our route took us backwards on the race route from Leadmill Bridge to Toads Mouth, exploring the link from the Burbage Valley across the road and down towards Lawrence Field. We returned the same way (or at least returning on the actual race route as we'd taken a slight detour on the way up). Back at the car we still felt good so continued on the race route towards Bradwell for a short distance....then back to Hathersage for a late lunch+ice cream and browse in the gear shop. Total run 14.6km and 350m ascent.

Tim running across Lawrence Field

Looking towards Bole Hill

Sunday: solo early morning run for me from home. My route was from Old Glossop, Cock Hill, Glossop Low, over to the Pennine Way, up to Bleaklow Head. I'd contemplated heading to Bleaklow Stones-The Ridge-Hern Clough but dismissed that in favour of less tussocky running. I stuck to the Pennine Way until some point after the turning to Hern Stones then bashed across the tussocks to the B29 plane wreck and Higher Shelf Stones trig point. I decided to run along the Shelf Moor race route across to Dog Rock and home down via Lightside, but feeling good as I crossed Dowstone Clough I made a decision to head back to Glossop Low....and luckily came across a quad track that made for easy running across the heather. I picked up the Torside-Glossop Low trod and boards, and was soon heading down passed Cock Hill. A quick detour back to the trig point, then off via the quarry spoils and down to Old Glossop. The temperature today was pretty perfect, warm but a good breeze blowing and enough cloud cover to not be worried about sunburn. I saw and heard loads of curlews flying really close by, a stoat popped it's head up and called out, grouse, a lizard thing rushed off down a peat tunnel, and there were plenty of mountain hares around and one pheasant. Apart from the wildlife I didn't see anyone until dropping off Cock Hill....a perfect solo adventure.
Total run 17.1km and 625m ascent.

Torside Clough and reservoir

On the Pennine Way

There's a stoat hiding in there, honest!

My route across to Higher Shelf Stones

Approaching the B29 plane wreck and trig point in distance

'Overexposed' B29 plane wreck

Dowstone Clough

View from Glossop Low

A little windswept at Cock Hill with Bleaklow behind

Glossop town

B29 Overexposed Commemorative Fell Run

On 3rd November 1948 'Overexposed' - a Boeing B29 Superfortress plane - crashed on the Bleaklow plateau, high above Glossop. This is the largest wreckage site in the area and to commemorate this we are organising a guided fell run to the crash site. Running Delights have organised several group and individual runs onto Bleaklow, and we've been featured in the Buxton Advertiser and Derbyshire Times. We're timing this run to coincide with the annual memorial service which is held at the site at approximately 10.45am.

The possible options for this commemorative run are:

1. meet at the summit of snake pass and run over Bleaklow, taking us around 1.5hrs and a 6km run or:
2. run from Old Glossop up Doctors Gate, returning over Bleaklow for a run of around 15km and 2.5hrs.

Either choice gives us plenty of time to attend the memorial service and pause for thought at the wreckage site. At the time of the crash the RAF Mountain Rescue attended the incident, and continuing their good work today Glossop Mountain Rescue Team are responsible for this area of the Peak District.

Once I have an indication of interest I'll finalise the details and add them onto the facebook Event page. This run will take us to a higher elevation than our usual Running Delights sessions so it will be weather dependent and clothing to suit the conditions on the day. The cost will be £5 with any additional money raised being donated to GMRT.

Final approach on the run up to Higher Shelf Stones and the plane wreck

For details of how to book on this guided fell run head over to the facebook Event page or call/text Lynne on 07985251185.

Running Delights 'Wreck Run' as featured in Derbyshire Times and Buxton Advertiser

Bleaklow Wreck Run

Sunshine and a warm gentle breeze greeted us for today's run across Bleaklow to the B29 Superfortress plane wreck. It was a superb day to be out fell running, and I think you'll agree the photographs speak for themselves.

Doctors Gate Culvert

Running up to Higher Shelf Stones

At Higher Shelf Stones trig point

Higher Shelf Stones trig point

Higher Shelf Stones trig point with Glossop way down below us

part of the Superfortress wreckage

Cloudberries galore on the moor

Superfortress wreckage

Returning along Crooked Clough

Final section back down Doctors Gate Culvert

Great running from everyone today, including one lady who was out on her very first fell run - super effort.

Wreck Runs in the press

Running Delights in the press - featured here is an article all about our guided runs on Bleaklow to see the aircraft wrecks. Shown here in the Buxton Advertiser, and was also in the Derbyshire Times at the end of May 2014:

Guided Wreck Run

Low cloud hung over the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones this morning...I can see it from my house....so I knew it was going to be claggy on the tops. With waterproofs, emergency kit and my mudclaws laced up I set off to meet a couple of runners and guide them to the trig, visit the B29 Over Exposed plane wreck nearby, and bring them safely back down to Old Glossop.

As I expected, it was fairly blustery on top with a little moisture in the air from the low cloud, but visibility was fairly good. There's no getting away from the fact that your feet will get wet on the hill - combined with the wind today my toes got a little chilly. As we started to descend back down to Glossop we could see the sunshine on it's way, bringing some welcome warmth to our hands and feet! Enjoy the photos...

James Thorn in the cloud as we ascend up Doctors Gate

Running up Doctors Gate, Higher Shelf Stones are just tucked under a cloud at the far left

Looking back down Doctors Gate and where we came up

Heading along the top of Crooked Clough with the waterfall down below

Approaching the trig point and highest point of the run at 621m

Spot the runner among the plane wreckage

Two walkers approaching the wreck site from a different direction,
barely visible in the low cloud

Is the trig point that way? Nope! Good job I know the way :)

Heading towards James Thorn

Sunshine way below us lighting up Mossy Lea Farm and Shire Hill

Still misty up the top of Doctors Gate as we descend

and now the cloud has lifted off James Thorn

For more pictures at the wreck from a different run up there have a look at this post. If you are interested in learning more about the history of plane wrecks in the Peak District this is a good site to start: http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistrict44-61999.htm

Wreck Running: B29 Superfortress 'Over Exposed'

There are numerous aircraft wrecks out on the moors of Bleaklow and Kinder Scout, many are hard to find and quite often there isn't much to see. However, there is one aircraft wreck which has literally hundreds of pieces left strewn over the peat moorland. Wanting an easy run out I decided to take the quickest way to this wreck by driving to the summit of the Snake Pass. From there it is only about 3km away, and once you find the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones you are quite close. This is what you can expect to see if you want to venture out onto Bleaklow and find the wreckage of the B29 Superfortress:

View from Snake Pass summit

Path on the way up to Higher Shelf Stones

Looking over towards Kinder Scout

Higher Shelf Stones trig point, with Glossop way below

The B29 aircraft wreck

Memorial plaque at the wreckage site

Running along Crooked Clough

If you are interested in learning more about the history of plane wrecks in the Peak District this is a good site to start: http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistrict44-61999.htm

Guided runs on a one-to-on basis or for groups can be organised....contact me for more information or have a read of the Guided Running page. Organised Running Delights sessions will be posted on the facebook page.