As last year, YHA Castleton proved an ideal venue for the launch event last year, offering low cost comfortable accommodation, drying rooms for wet kit, good value home cooked meals, a well-stocked bar, a cinema room and welcoming social spaces – all essentials for trail runners. So what's in store for runners this time?
Friday night kicks off with Billy Bland, the legendary fell runner and holder of the 1982 Bob Graham Round record, talking to Trail Running magazine’s Sarah Ryan about his unbeaten 13hr 53 min time. There’s also a chance to get a taste of running off-road in the dark with the Alpkit Night Run - a guided 6k off-road run with two paced groups - so everyone can catch their breath and do some star-gazing.
The evening ends with a double bill of two of this year’s best endurance race films – Finding Traction (photo credit: © Audrey Hall) and Among the Wild – The Arrowhead 135.
There are two runs on Saturday - the King and Queen of the Mountains is a short (2km), sharp (212m climb) up and back down up Lose Hill - and a scenic 10k loop round the skyline of Castleton village. Later, be inspired by Jen and Sim Benson’s talk on Wild Running, exploring Britain’s beautiful trails and hear all about their latest experience of living wild for a year with a toddler and baby in a bell tent. There is also a chance to see this year’s Sheffield Adventure Film Festival Best Running Film (Gold) and People’s Choice award winner, The Barkley Marathons - The Race That Ate Its Young.
The weekend’s finale is the Castleton Skylite Half Marathon - a shorter but no less spectacular version of the famous Edale Skyline route. Fell Running Guide Dave Taylor said, said: “With an amazing variety of trails right out of the back door of YHA Castleton, from flat parkland to rugged, steep moorland, RunYHA will suit everyone from beginners wanting to get a taste of trail running to more experienced fell runners looking for a challenge.
The beauty of a weekend long-event is that you can share the experience with family and friends with runs no matter what your ability. Non-running partners can head off and enjoy the many attractions the Peak District has to offer.”
Last year’s RunYHA brought YHA to the attention of renowned wild running enthusiasts Jen and Sim Benson, who have produced a free downloadable Wild Running guide, detailing 10 runs close to YHA’s properties in England and Wales. The free guide can be downloaded from http://www.yha.org.uk/runyha-guide-download
Photos: © YHA
Source: http://www.runyha.org.uk
