Ashbourne win the Footpath Relay 2006

Ashbourne Running Club and Ashbourne Rugby Club competed in the annual Peak District footpath relay event on Saturday 10th June that was centred this year around Miller’s Dale. 

This gruelling event covered a total of 72 miles, with runners following a route mainly cross country that demanded map reading skills as well as running ability. The route included many local dales and taking in Peak Forest, Bradwell, Highgate Hall, Longstone Moor and Monsal Head before finishing at Miller’s Dale at the old railway station. 

Each team had to provide 20 runners; ten running legs of different lengths in a clockwise direction and ten anti clockwise. Each team had to involve runners of different ages and gender under the handicap rules and so the rugby club had to persuade some relations to take part! Eight teams took part including one from Camberley in Surrey. 

The Running Club finished in 1st position in a time of 10hrs 19 mins with the Rugby Club in 3rd position in a time of 10hrs 36mins. 

The Running Club won the event last year and so this made two successes in a row. A 3rd position for the Rugby Club was excellent as this was their first time of entering.