Date of event: 30th November 2024
Registration: Race numbers and timing chips can be collected at Registration. Registration is at St Anne's C of E Primary School. DE45 1RZ. Registration 8.30- 9.30am sharp! Runners will need to leave the school by 9.45am to get to the starting line at the church by 9.50am for the race briefing.
Bag Drop: Unsupervised area for bags will be available at the School.
Toilets: Facilities available at the School. Very limited facilities at the race start (church).
Start time: 10:00am. There will be a mass start (faster runners self selecting a position nearer the front).
Starting point: St Anne's Church, 1 Church Street, Baslow, DE45 1RY.
Finish Point: Baslow St Anne’s Primary School, School Lane, Baslow, DE45 1RZ.
Distance: 13.2km.
Elevation gain: 400m.
FRA Category: BM (medium length & medium ascent). FRA mandated & insured via UKA
Entry fee: £10 (on-line entry only) NOTE THERE ARE NO ON THE DAY ENTRIES. NO REFUNDS.
Minimum age: 18.
Maximum number of runners: 400

This is a winter fell race. It may well be cold and wet. Therefore, please bring your grippiest fell/ trail shoes. Please also bring plenty of warm, sensible clothing appropriate for a winter fell race. 

This is a category Medium B race and as such FRA rules recommend best practice is to carry all FRA mandatory minimum kit but specific requirements are at the race organiser’s discretion. As such (and depending on the weather forecast/ weather on the day)  we are hoping not to require mandatory full minimum kit (nor to have mandatory kit checks) but the race organisers do reserve the right to refuse to let anyone run who clearly does not have a sensible level of suitable kit.

The route is going to be well marked and marshalled. New for 2024 we have altered the route to avoid a major pinch point at the start of the race. For those that have run this race before, this new route takes in the lane along the river Derwent to then cut back to the original path. This adds about 0.5 miles to the distance. We are grateful to local landowners and farmers for allowing this change.

See our website for all relevant FRA rules & guidance baslowbolt.com (practical advice & FRA rules & kit sections).  As we are trying to make this a low plastic event please bring your own waterbottles. There is no water or drinks provided out on the course (you’ll have to wait till you get to the finish for the refreshments provided).

The race is being held at the end of November in the Peak District and in light of this we advise that you expect the worst and run with full FRA kit (ie full waterproof body cover (waterproof jacket including hood & trousers), hat, gloves, compass, whistle, map & emergency food). Note that fell/ trail shoes should be worn. Road shoes are not suitable and should NOT be worn. Please come well prepared, otherwise the organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who is not adequately equipped.

This is a winter, FRA mandated Medium B fell race with the potential for adverse weather especially up on the edge so please bring all necessary kit with you as required by FRA rules.  A decision will be made on the day regarding what must be carried, depending on weather conditions. All runners therefore need to be prepared to run with full FRA kit which comprises:

Waterproof whole body cover (with taped seams and integrated attached hood), hat, gloves, map of the route, compass, whistle and emergency food. 

Best practice is to carry FRA Mandatory Minimum Kit, but specific requirements are at the Race Organiser’s discretion on the day.

All competitors should be aware and adhere to the FRA runners’ rules which are available on the FRA website  http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/ . These will also be available at the race.

The weather forecast for the race will be displayed on the day. A map of the route will be displayed on the day but is also currently displayed on the website. A copy of the FRA event check list will be displayed on the day. A hypothermia leaflet will be displayed on the day. Please be aware of the potential dangers of hypothermia.

Registration is in St Anne's C of E Primary School, Baslow, DE45 1RZ. Registration is opening at 8:30 am and closing at 9:30 am sharp. There is NO on the day entry.  We will operate a 1 way system for runners to register, get their number, then race chip and bag drop. There are limited toilet facilities.

Runners will need to leave the school to go to the start line in the church by 9.45 am. We will then assemble for a briefing at 9:50am with the race starting at 10am.  We anticipate that the first runners will return within the hour (50 mins course record!) and the prize-giving ceremony is planned for 11:45 am. There are no cut-off times for the race to encourage as many participants as possible to participate.

If you can't run then please cancel your entry ASAP so we can give your place to someone on the long waiting list. You can do this yourself by amending your entry via the website and cancelling yourself.  Or you can email us race@baslowbolt.com but it's easier if you can do it yourself!

The race finishes up at Baslow St Annes School, where you can collect your bag dropped at Registration and enjoy the refreshments. Bring cash for any extra cakes!

Your timing chip will record your race time as you cross the finish mat. 

Take off your timing chip and place it in the bucket provided. Don't hang about but head into the school for the cakes!

After race refreshments are in the school hall. Every runner will get a free tea/ coffee and choice of delicious, mainly home made cakes! Any family/ friends/ spectators will be able to buy refreshments as well for cash if they need sustenance (all proceeds from the race & refreshments to the supported charities). School loos available.

Please see the website parking & transport page for full information including a village map. We advocate the use of public transport, cycling and car sharing to reduce the demand for parking. Pay and display parking is available at the Car Park in Nether End as is on-street parking throughout the village.

Note also that the Chatsworth Christmas market will be running, so the village will be really busy on Saturday. We therefore advise all runners  to arrive early for registration, to beat the rush and secure parking.

There is adequate parking in the Baslow Pay and Display car park (DE45 1SS). Parking is also available on residential roads in the village.  Please park considerately for local residents.

We have been advised that parking wardens may be patrolling the village given the Christmas Market in Chatsworth, so please avoid any illegal parking or you may be fined.

The route is fully marked and marshals are at key points on the route.  A map of the route is on the Baslow Bolt website. The route follows Baslow Edge. If the weather is very poor (severe wind, snow or fog) the route may be changed on the day to run along the bridle path by Eaglestone or even under the Edge.

Each finisher will get a race time and position posted on-line later. This year we have 5 age categories (open, V40, V50, V60 & V70) with prizes for both male and female winners. Plus fastest local male & female. So 12 prizes in all! Many thanks to ours sponsors including Rab for providing prizes.

Updates regarding the race can be found on the website and on our Facebook Baslow Bolt page, Instagram @baslowbolt and on twitter @baslowbolt.

See you on 30th Nov!

Richard Conroy and David Elphick (& team)
Race Organisers
Baslow Bolt