Brief History of Glossop Races: Part 1

During the 80s and 90s Glossop was a thriving scene for both road and fell races. For posterity, I thought it might be an idea to compile a list whilst I can still recall them! There may be one or two unintentional factual errors here so please do not hesitate to let me know. If anyone can add more information I would be most grateful. I have decided to concentrate on races no longer staged, so that is why Shelf Moor and Herod Farm, both deserving of a separate account, are not mentioned here The same would also apply to those races organised by Des. I have divided the races into two groups, those with an entry fee open to all and club races for GDH and friends.

Open Races

1. Midco Half Marathon  - Stuart Robertson who was a director at Midco Builders Merchants at Woolley Bridge, a runner himself, sponsored and staged this great event. High St West was closed for the Sunday morning as the runners headed down to Woolley Bridge before turning right heading up Padfield on to the B6105. Over the dam at Torside, back down the A628, left at Tintwistle and back to Glossop via Woolley Bridge finishing just outside the mill-yard.
   
   
2. Glossop Half Marathon - GDH took over the race organisation eventually with Howard Rees, John Nudds and Vaughan McKay doing sterling work as race organisers. In a Runners World poll the race was voted 4th best half marathon in the country! The event was eventually moved to the Hadfield site of  Glossopdale college, the route going up Newshaw Lane and down Hadfield Road before joining the original route which was changed to cross the dam at Woodhead.
   
3. Glossop 10 - organised by John Brightmore. Starting in Manor Park, the route going up Wimberry Hill, down to reservoirs for a loop then a tough climb back up to the B6105 before returning to the park. Sponsored by local firm Carpenters.
4. Glossop 5 - originally organised by Paul Richards and Godfrey Claff, two Glossop-based Salford Harriers in aid of the local Women's Refuge. Used to attract the elite of local running talent, both road and fell. Taken over eventually by the club and fronted once again by John Brightmore. Started and finished on Philip Howard Rd with two laps of St Marys Rd, High St West, Primrose  Lane, Turnlee, Drovers and Charlestown Rd.
5. Glossop Fell Race - organised in pre-Glossopdale times by DPFR in conjunction with the July Carnival and In The (Manor) Park activities. 22 miles/4200ft, 11 checkpoints including Higher Shelf Stones, shooting cabin high up Crowden Little Brook, Laddow, Tintwistle Knarr and the shooting cabin on Glossop Low. Featured in 'Studmarks on the Summits. Note the mega-size cloth numbers worn which were reclaimed after each race and how the club's reputation as ale swillers was already gaining momentum. 
   
6. New Glossop Fell Race  - the harriers took over the race in the early 90s but with a much changed route including checkpoints on Higher Shelf, Alport Trig, Fairbrook Naze, Ashop Clough, Snake Summit and Doctors Gate. Staged for two years before obtaining continued permission from the Peak District National Park authority proved insurmountable.
7. Up The Nab - organised by the club with several different race directors, run from Glossop rugby club involving a circuit of Coombes Rocks returning  down Slack Edge followed by an excuciating lap of the rugby pitch.
8. Women's Fell Race - organised by Shaun Priestley and Liz Sparkes as I recall. Circular route up to Harry Hut. Held just the once.

Club Races

1. 3 Trigs - organised by me. Pairs, choose your own route event visting Cock Hill, Higher Shelf and Harry Hut trigs. Made harder for the following two years with the addition of a mystery checkpoint revealed as the pairs started
2. Dog Rock Handicap - route from the Queens in Old Glossop up to Shelf Benches, Dog Rock and back down Lightside. Staggered start with handicaps allocated.
3. Christmas Fell Races - fancy dress races on the sunday before Christmas. Originally held from Glossop Rugby Club with a route part way up the Nab, down to Broadbottom and back through Gamesley fields. Later held from the Queens with a route up Lightside, across to the Glossop Low cabin and back down through the quarries. No entry fee, bring a prize, take a prize.