This event will be held on Saturday 25th September 2010 to raise money for Edale Mountain Rescue Team. It is over some rough moorland and along gritstone edges, and some navigational ability is required. The route is on the OS Dark and White Peak Maps.

You choose whether you walk, run, climb or bike the route. Hikers, runners & climbers largely follow the same route, but climbers also climb a route of their choice on each of the nine gritstone edges. Bikers take a slightly different route (as they obviously can’t go on footpaths!). It is a 20 mile off road event with about 900 metres of height gain for walkers, runners and climbers, and about 38 miles roughly 60% off-road for mountain bikers with 1600 metres of ascent (and descent!).

The event starts at Fairholmes Car Parks, grid reference 173894. It is a traverse from Fairholmes, over nine gritstone edges (namely, Derwent Edge, Stanage, Burbage North, Burbage South, Froggatt, Curbar, Baslow Edge, Gardoms and Birchens), to the Robin Hood pub near Baslow. (The route is described in detail below). Transport is provided back to the start.

There will be race marshals at key points along the route. If you have any problems please contact one of them. Also you must comply with any requests they make of you. Also, Edale Mountain Rescue Team will be attending the event (obviously!) and will be available on call, as they are for all members of the public, 24/7. At the start desk, we will provide an emergency contact number for you to contact should you need emergency assistance during the event.

New in 2010

This year we plan to introduce an electronic ‘dibbing’ system at each of the checkpoints, rather than the old fashioned clipper system. This will be particularly helpful at the start and finish desk. If you don’t own your own dibber (which you can buy for about £20) we can hire you one (cost £2); a fully refundable deposit will be required.

Registration process

Please register at the registration desk before starting the event (we will be near the bike hire shop). Registration will be open from 7.30 am until 10.00 am. We will need your car registration number (if leaving a car at the car park). You will be issued with your participant number, which you need to display prominently.

Please note, this is a popular event. Numbers are strictly limited by the Peak District National Park, so we unfortunately have to turn people away when we are full. Past experience suggests the event will be full by August, so please get your entries in early to avoid disappointment.

Entries close 30th August, or when full. No entries will be accepted on the day.

Start times

Walkers and climbers are free to start at any time between 7.30am and 9.00am.

Bikers are free to start at any time between 9.00am and 9.30am.

Runners have a mass start at 10am.

If you are running but not participating in the mass start (so officially a hiker or climber), please do not start too early; otherwise no one will be at the checkpoints (thus no refreshments for you!).

Finish desk

The route finishes at the Robin Hood pub, near Baslow. Please ensure you come to the finish desk as soon as you arrive. This will ensure you get an accurate time and also enable us to keep track of who is still participating.

Transport

This event is obviously a traverse from Fairholmes to the Robin Hood. As such, we provide free transport back to the start. Please let us know on the entry form if you will require a lift back to Fairholmes to collect your car at the end of the event, so that we can ensure enough bus spaces are available.

These buses run at regular intervals from 1.30pm until about 6.30pm. You may be asked to retire from the race if we think you will not make it to the finish line in an appropriate time (the race director’s decision on this is final). Whilst we won’t leave you stranded, we would appreciate that if you think you will be slow that you start as early as possible.

Bikers will be able to leave their bikes at the finish whilst the bus takes them back to the start to collect their car. Please do not try to take your bike on the bus as this takes up limited seats that could have a person on them! Someone will be with the bikes at all times, but it is recommended that you bring a bike lock.

Kit requirements

Participants must each carry the following equipment as a minimum. Kit will be checked at the start desk (please allow sufficient time) and random kit checks may take place. If you do not have the correct equipment you will not be allowed to participate. Please bring the full kit and don’t put us in the embarrassing position of having to disqualify you.

The map & compass can be shared if you are in a group travelling together and it is also fine to persuade a friend to carry your kit for you (assuming you are travelling together).

We may permit a “slimmed” down version of the kit depending on the weather forecast. This decision will be taken on the day. Please ask at the start desk. An example of skinny kits we have sanctioned in previous years would be: waterproof jacket (no longs), whistle, survival blanket (rather than bag), food & fluids. Please bring the full kit with you – you can leave it in the car if you don’t need it.

Runners, bikers, running climbers – If you want to have some clothes to change into at the finish desk, we will transport a SMALL bag for you (no kitchen sinks!). You can drop this off at the start desk. Only small bags will be permitted (we don’t have much car space). Please remember to collect at the finish desk!

Hikers and hiking climbers – we’re assuming you will carry everything you need.

Route: Hikers, Climbers and Runners

There will be marshals at all of the following (compulsory) checkpoints detailed below. Give them a wave as you trot past; maybe even stop for a chat. Please make sure they see your participant number.

Please note, there are also four electronic ‘dibber’ stations. Please ensure you ‘dib’ at each of these (we’ll show you how at the start desk if this is new to you). This will mean we can give you a split of your times at the finish desk. Wow, we’re getting up to date with modern technology. First year with this system this year, so happy to receive feedback on how you think it works.

Snacks at the checkpoints will likely include bananas, mars bars, and energy bars/gels. At the finish desk, we’re going to go for something salty to go with your beer (e.g. crisps) and some flapjacks or equivalent. (Subject to variation!). If you’re planning on taking more than four hours, I’d strongly recommend you take some butties.

The route is not marked and the choice of route between the checkpoints is down to individual choice. We expect that you walk or run directly above or below each of the 9 Edges. Please use marked public footpaths and bridleways and comply with the country code at all times. Additionally, climbers must climb one route of their choice on each of the nine Edges, at their own risk. If more than one route on any of the Edges is climbed, climbers may be disqualified due to time constraints.

1 Please ensure you take a right on to the footpath after the Grouse pub to go into the Haywood carpark and DO NOT run straight down the road. There will be a marshall to stop you at the entry to the Frogatt footpath who will ask you to go back the correct way to visit the checkpoint.

2 Please use the bridleway from Curbar Gap to Clod Hal crossroads (via Wellington Monument [grid ref: 265737]). Do not run down the road.

3 It is up to you how you get from Clod Hall Crossroads to the Finish desk.

HIKERS/CLIMBERS: Ideally you should cross the top of Gardoms and underneath Birchens (climbers obviously have to do a route on each) before heading down to the Robin Hood. If you go past the campsite, then you haven’t really been close to Birchens Edge.

RUNNERS: The hikers, and obviously the climbers, start up the obvious footpath from the cross roads that leads towards Birchens, and break off right to walk across the top of Gardoms through the trees (climbers drop down and do a route), then make their way back onto the 'Birchens' footpath and down to the Robin Hood. Runners only have to get from the cross roads checkpoint to the finish checkpoint.  The shortest way would seem to me to be up the footpath past (underneath) Birchens (so not going too close to Gardoms) and down to the Robin Hood. Note, there is NOT a checkpoint on top of, or directly underneath, either Gardoms or Birchens.

Route: Mountain Bike

There will be marshals at various compulsory checkpoints along the route, detailed below:

The route is not marked. Please comply with the country code at all times and do not use footpaths. There is an element of honesty with the mountain biking route as if you’re tired you can take a more direct (i.e. shorter and quicker) road route.

However, if you want to do the ‘proper’ Nine Edges mountain bike route here it is:

The route starts at Fairholmes carpark, by the bike hire shop.

It then goes clockwise round the reservoir (oh yes, all the way round – think of it as a nice warm up before the hills start); past slippery stones at the end of the reservoir (please dismount for the bridge and following the cycle route signs round to the, counter-intuitive, left) [grid ref: 169951]. Then you continue round the reservoir and get to the first checkpoint on the east side of the gate by Jubilee cottage.

After getting your first ‘dib’, continue down the east side of the reservoir, taking the bridleway up left [grid ref: 187 884] up to Whinstone Lee Tor [grid ref: 197 874]. You deserve a medal if you can ride all of this!!! Then there is an EXCELLENT downhill to the next checkpoint at Moscar. Note, your Moscar checkpoint is in a slightly different place to the hikers/runners, to save you having to go up to their checkpoint and back again.

Now zip down the A57 (watch those cars!) (or there is a bridleway on the left, which you should take), over the bridge at Ladybower, and take the left turn up to Stanage before you get to Bamford [grid ref: 201849] (unless you want to add unnecessary miles!). This takes you to the bridleway up Stanage Edge [grid ref: 227843] - goooo on, you know you can ride it all the way up to Stanage Pole [grid ref: 246844].

Enjoy the view briefly at Stanage Pole then you have another excellent descent down to Redmires Reservoir. Zoom round the reservoir and follow the road round until you get to the bridleway taking you over Houndkirk Moor [grid ref: 290835]. Fight past all the off-roaders to get up (& down!) this great bit of track, bringing you out at A6187. Should be some refreshments here for you.

After filling your boots, go left and then right, or right and then left (up to you) to carry on down the A625, turning left at the T junction to bring you to the junction to turn right to go down through Froggatt. Do NOT go right here. If you look straight ahead there is a gate and a bridleway sign [grid ref: SK268789]. This track takes you past the Lodge on White Edge Moor (the obvious building up to your right [grid ref: SK265785]) - dib the electronic dibber. The track drops you down on the A625 somewhere near the Grouse pub (there is a choice of two tracks from the Lodge, both take you there). Then head down the road for a couple of miles (the quickest miles you’ll do all day – but it is busy, so please take care). If I were you I’d take the left turn through Curbar village [grid ref: SK245758] and then left to go up to Curbar gap (if you’re up for punishment carry on down into Calver and then back up past the pub [grid ref: SK245745]). Just before you get to the summit of Curbar gap there is a bridleway on your right [grid ref: SK261747]. The path up to the gate is rideable…! Go along this path; the views are great and there are a few rocks to play on, but basically flat; much more interesting than going along the road. At the T junction, go left past Wellington monument and continue down to Clod Hall Crossroads, another checkpoint [grid ref: SK276741].

From here, you decide which is the best way to get to the finish desk. See you there!

Sponsorship

The raising of sponsorship to participate is optional. We would be grateful if you were to raise some sponsorship as all proceeds go to Edale Mountain Rescue Team. There is a prize for the person who raises the most sponsorship (and sends it in to us by 15th November), plus everyone who raises more than £500 in sponsorship will receive one day of outdoor instruction (hiking, climbing, abseiling, navigation techniques – your choice!) in the Peak District from a qualified instructor for free.

Results and prize giving

This event is intended as a personal test of endurance, particularly for walkers, climbers and bikers. However the event is also a fell race and so prize winners (runners only, this includes a running/climbing category) will be announced at the Robin Hood pub that afternoon. A copy of the full results will be emailed to all participants, or can be downloaded from the Nine Edges website (http://www.nineedges.co.uk), shortly after the event.

There is also a prize for the person who raises the most sponsorship (and submits it by 15th November), plus everyone who raises more than £500 in sponsorship will receive one day of outdoor instruction (hiking, climbing, abseiling, navigation techniques – your choice!) in the Peak District from a qualified instructor for free.

Fee

The entry fee of £20 applies to all entrants and is non refundable. Plus a further £2 to hire a dibber (if you don’t have your own). For this you will receive a free Nine Edges Endurance t-shirt and refreshments on the day, including a free pint (or soft drink) at the Robin Hood pub at the finish. Plus free transport back to the start.

It is NOT permitted to swap your entry (and entry fee) to another participant, even if you have to pull out due to injury or illness. Sorry.

In case of an emergency

We will give you a contact number (at the start desk) that you can phone on the day if you have an accident and require assistance.

***If you retire from the event, you MUST inform an event official/marshal***

Edale Mountain Rescue Team

Mountain Rescue in the UK is an entirely voluntary organisation. Edale Mountain Rescue Team are a particularly busy team, averaging 100 call outs per year to a wide variety of incidents. For further details please see: http://www.edalemountainrescue.co.uk

The number of participants is limited, so please get your entry forms in as soon as possible.

Entries are now open!!!