The Peak Divide, a trail run from Manchester to Sheffield, is marketed as an “ultra fun run” and reflects the emerging trend of combining excellent food and camaraderie with the running experience.
While some trips can be organized on short notice, the Peak Divide trail run from Manchester to Sheffield, a two-day, supported 75km “ultra fun run,” is better planned ahead. Despite this, I managed to secure a spare spot with only two days’ notice, much to my friend’s disbelief. Co-founder Tom Reynolds advised me to rest and avoid standing the day before the run.
This type of multi-day running adventure is known as “run-packing” or “fastpacking.” As a member of the latter group, I frantically searched for trail running shoes, an emergency foil blanket, and a fully-charged head-torch in Manchester. My longest previous run was only 21km along a canal towpath, but Tom assured me that the focus was on the journey, not the race, and that the experience was suitable for anyone, not just seasoned trail runners.
Simon James, the founder of Run the Wild, which offers guided events in the Chilterns and the Alps, explains that the popularity of trail running trips and vacations is understandable. He attributes this trend to the growing emphasis on preserving mental well-being and the beneficial impact of outdoor activities following the pandemic. Run the Wild, established ten years ago, had its most active year ever in 2022.
Similar to the London Marathon, which is known for its remarkable master plan, the concept of Peak Divide originated from a casual conversation in a pub. In February of the previous year, the three founders, namely Tom Reynolds, Luke Douglas, and Stef Amato, were having a pint when they entertained the idea of running from Manchester to Sheffield. With backgrounds in running, bike-packing, and travel, the trio began to plan a route, and the dream eventually turned into a reality last weekend. At Manchester’s Track Brewery taproom, 76 runners from various parts of the country, with varying levels of proficiency, gathered for a pre-run briefing. Following a brief ceremonial stroll to the city’s Vimto bottle monument, we set out on the 40km leg of the journey for that day.
The route, consisting of 90% off-road trails, had been meticulously organized to ensure minimal road crossings, ample opportunities to admire scenic views, and the presence of “beacon runners” to guide groups at varying speeds. We began our journey by heading east along the Ashton canal, covering a steady 15km stretch out of the city and arriving at the village of Gee Cross, situated at the edge of the Peak District. As Manchester began to fade away into the distance behind us, we found ourselves drawn towards Kinder Scout plateau, which happens to be the highest peak in the Peak District.
On this journey, individuals who were initially strangers swiftly formed friendships, and at different points along the route, they switched between motivating and being motivated by others. When we reached the 25km mark, we took a break to replenish our water bottles, grab some running snacks, and relish in freshly cooked cheesy gnocchi before embarking on the final 15km trek across the western Peaks. Following a challenging stretch of navigating boulders, waterfalls, and bogs, we descended into Edale, where we camped for the night after taking a quick shot of rum at the aptly named Mount Malibu checkpoint. Our luggage had been transported to the site before we arrived.
