In no particular order, here are my Top 10, 5 currently still being staged, 5 fond in the memory.
- Kinder Trog - a classic circuit of the fells around Hayfield. Suited me as a stayer as I always reckoned on picking runners off on the way up to Big Stone
- Round The Ressers - a race with a good cause, love collecting the mugs, always great to race on my own training patch
- Lantern Pike - my first ever fell race, a great afternoon out, always a tough competitive race against friendly rivals, that little climb near the end!
- Ennerdale Fell Race - my first and favourite Lakeland Classic, being in the same race alongside many icons of our sport, the views, the good running towards the end, the sight of the finish from atop Crag Fell, going AWOL on my first attempt then returning to get it right
- South East Lancs XC - historic league over 100 years old, the industries, eyeballs out, so competitive, cheapest races around
- Werneth Low Half-Marathon - predated race measuring, more like a hilly 14 to 15 miles, Romiley, Marple Bridge, Charlesworth, Broady, Mottram, Hattersley and back over Apple St and the Low, held in the depths of Winter
- Midco Half - forerunner of the Glossop Half Marathon, High St West closed to traffic, tough course up the Longdendale Valley
- Tanky's Trog - classic crossing of the Dark Peak moors, ran it in all weathers, always pleased to locate 7 minute crossing, the joy of seeing Edale when emerging from the clag twixt Upper and Nether Tors, Nicky's Trigger looks tougher and already destined to be a classic also
- Saddleworth 3 Day Event - 7 mile Harrap Dale Hill on Friday evening, 10 mile Ravenstones Brow Fell on Saturday afternoon, 9 mile Scouthead Road Race on Sunday morning, plenty of pints drunk, always a Glossopdale favourite, a warm up for ....
- Tour of Tameside - Ron Hill's brainchild, 6 stage double marathon, lucky to have the running equivalent of the Tour de France on our own doorstep, so many memories.....
- Glossop Fell Race - only did it once, the day after finishing the Tour!
- Glossop 5 - fast two lapper around Glossop town centre attracting local elite runners
- Bullock Smithy - local 56 mile classic, joined up a lot of dots for me, in my opinion a must do for all Glossopdalers at some point in their running career
- Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon -long days out on the fells with some great characters
I love the Cross Bay Challenge at Morecambe Bay. The most unusual half marathon I've ever run, across the tidal flats in utter isolation, a wade through a river halfway across and a lovely beer and recovery area at the end. It also raises money for a local charity so all for the good.
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