Grindleford Gallop

Saturday 15th March 2025 | Grindleford | Author Mel Corby

The Grindleford Gallop is a firm favourite in the off-road runners calendar and it sells out in record time, and I was delighted to get a place this year.  

The 7 DRC runners taking part met before the start to discuss the route and conditions. We also compared race nutrition which varied from Mars bars, flapjack, Hula Hoops, bagels and salted potatoes - a game changer I’m told. There were smiles all round for the obligatory pre-race photo, mine through pre-race nerves and the others I now realise were down to the enjoyment of being back at the Gallop.

The nerves soon subsided once we were underway with a slow start - it takes a while for 400 people to get over a series of stiles and through gates in the first 1km. The climb up to Eyam soon saw us spread out as the spring sunshine broke through and gloves and buffs were stuffed into pockets.

The 34km route isn’t overly technical but does feature a couple of ridiculous climbs, with the overall elevation being 840m. This rewards the runner with fabulous views across the Peaks in return for their efforts. There are 6 checkpoints on the set route with 2 well-stocked feed stations along the way. It is also open to walkers, who set off any time from 7am.

We continued to climb out of Eyam to the highest point of the race at Longstone Moor. It was then all downhill to Great Longstone where we picked up the Monsal Trail. We weaved our way amongst the usual mix of trail users, bikes, dogs and pushchairs to the first feed station at Hassop, stocking up on cake before skirting Bakewell and heading up through the golf course, pausing to ring the bell as we crossed the green. The Strava segment isn’t called the ‘Bakewell Ball Breaker’ for nothing and I know my limits, so I walked up. I later realised that it was around this time that Jake Scott was crossing the finish line, breaking his own course record to come home in a hugely impressive 2h 19m.  

The gentle downhill that followed was a nice change as we then headed to Edensor and on through the Chatsworth Estate. It came as a surprise that the flats of the Monsal Trail and Chatsworth were actually some of the toughest parts of the route. It was far from the few easy coasting kms I was hoping for, but a really unwelcome and unexpected slog. I may even go as far to say it was a relief when we started to climb again in Baslow! That relief was short-lived though as Bar Road took hold on tired legs, finally spitting us out on Curbar Edge. By now we’d caught up with a number of the Gallop walkers as we made small talk with each other, safe in the knowledge the end wasn’t far off.

Trail races don’t tend to attract many supporters, other than the marshals and volunteers at the feed stations, but the encouragement and good wishes from those out enjoying a Sunday in the Peaks provided a real boost.

After passing above Froggatt, we finally dropped back down towards Grindleford, over the bridge and returned to a warm welcome at the cricket ground. Mugs of steaming tomato soup, cheese and a chunk of bread were hungrily claimed, along with more cake and hot and cold drinks.

Phil Skelton finished in a very respectable twelfth overall and second in his category, crossing the line in 2h45m. James Hogg and Jimmy Sharman were next back in 3h42/3m, followed by Mark James in 4h10m. Kat Braisdell got the two of us home in 4h27m (but I reckon she would have done sub-4h running her own race). Joe Lee rounded us off in 4h52, which just shows his determination and enjoyment for the event, as after a strong start he was forced to walk the final sections due to an on-going foot injury but overcoming the need to call Lindsey for a lift.

The Gallop has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and encourages runners to bring their own water cups. Furthermore, anyone presenting their own mug for the soup was entered into a draw for a free place in the Gallop 2026 and the buffs and t-shirts on sale don’t have a date on, so they can be re-sold next year.

I now fully understand why the Grindleford Gallop is such a popular event and I for one will be in the queue for a place next year.