A gentle environmentally friendly run in Penistone!
The average person in the UK has a carbon footprint of 9.86 tons per year. In these increasingly environmentally conscious times we're looking to do our bit to help and whilst none of us can do everything, we can all and should do something!
We've found a scheme which is operating in the UK that is funding the planting of trees in the UK and we're able to specify the region that is supported. Basically the scheme operates with schools, if a school has a little corner of land where a tree, or five or a hundred could be planted then this scheme supplies decent sized saplings to the school, along with some relevant information to help them plant them and educate children about them. Its estimated that each tree in this scheme will absorb about a ton of carbon. It's a win, win, win situation as it reduces carbon in the atmosphere, provides a little ecosystem to encourage wildlife and helps sets the tone for future generations.
This scheme admittedly is rather more expensive than the carbon offsetting things you see (hence the higher than average entry fee) but we liked that they're planting British native broad leaf species in parts of the UK where we run, so making a real difference to local areas and educating our children about the environment and our impact upon it. Additionally for every tree planted in the UK an additional ton of carbon will be saved in the Brazilian rainforest.
We're also going to have wooden "eco-medals" sourced from British trees and basically each and every entry will pay for one of these trees to be planted and save a ton of carbon in Brazil so offsetting over 20% of the average UK persons carbon footprint. £20 of the entry fee will be going to carbon reducing/offsetting/charitable projects.
The course is along an old railway line and is all closed to traffic (aside from two very quiet road crossings), be a gentle out and back from the Community Centre in Penistone
For this weekend we're going to try a 8.74 mile loop, With the base camp exactly in the middle. You can visit this each half lap if you wish, or just the once on each 8.74 mile loop. To the east the turn around is at the first "horse gate" and the west end will be marked with a cone and chalk. There is just the one path so there is no navigation! It's three laps for a marathon type distance, for a half marathon you run one complete loop and then can run either direction for a "half" lap to complete the 13.1 miles. We'll figure out a 50k variation too.
Please explore the race and consider joining us!
Course Information
The course runs from the Village Hall in Penistone Inn in a 8.74 mile loop along the Trans Pennine Trail. It's 100% off road, all on high quality surfaces, either tarmac or compressed gravel type bike paths. (There are two very quiet road crossings so please be super careful crossing these as they'll be unmarshalled)
We'll start heading to the East - the turnaround is the first gate/horse crossing/road that you come to in front of a road, you'll then return the way you came, pass the Village Hall (you can pop in if you want to of course, but totally optional) then continue West for just over 2 miles passing through a gate/horsing crossing (with a very quiet road behind it) and carry along over another quiet road crossing. The turn around is just past a bridge over the A628 so pretty easy to spot!
You can view the route on MapMyRun here
The total elevation gain is about 120' per loop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I get?
You will receive
1) A really special finishers medal, custom made and designed, not a generic one.
2) A goody bag at the finish, which has goodies in, not a bunch of adverts. There will be nothing healthy in our goody bags, things they contain for example, chocolate, crisps..
3) A well stocked base camp with plenty of nibbles and refreshments for post race replenishment. Again there is nothing healthy here, no isotonic drinks or fruit. But biscuits, crisps, nuts, cakes, rocky road, M&Ms and those sorts of things!
Where do I park?
There is a small car park at Penistone Community Hall ( Church St, Penistone, Sheffield S36 6AR ) but only 20 spaces or so, but there is effectively limitless free street parking along Church Street and the surrounding streets.
When do I get my race number?
You'll pick this up on race day morning the main room in the Community Centre. It's all very compact so we won't be hard to find!
Lights?
This event starts in the afternoon at 1400 and sun down is 1820, twilight ends at 1855 so if you're planning on being out for over 5 hours then you'll need a light source as some parts of the course are very dark indeed and unlit.
Are there time limits?
Yes, six hours to run as many laps as you can. You can finish at any time within the 6 hours and your final distance will be recorded along with your finishing time. Only complete laps within the 6 hours will be recorded or you must have left the aid station for your last lap by 5.00 after race start (even if you finish that final lap after the six hours it'll count, you just have to have left for the final lap 5:00 after the start, and these time limits are hard, 5:00:01 and that's too late as is the custom with ultra endurance events (which this technically is, though there is absolutely no requirement to run an ultra!)).
Any runner completing over 26 miles will have completed an official marathon (by 100 Marathon Club standards) of about 26.2 miles, 27 miles or more will have completed an ultra. As long as you finish one lap then you'll receive an official finish time, medal and goody bag. With timed events there are no DNFs.
How are laps counted?
At race registration you'll be given a lap counting card. Attach this to yourself with a safety pin or cable tie. At the end of each lap get this punched by one of the card punchers, this keeps track of the distance that you've done so keep it safe!. So basically at the end of each lap, either get your card punched, or ring the bell! Ringing the bell signifies you are "ringing out" and have stopped running for the day.
Do I have to run for the whole time?
No! You can stop at any time you wish, just as long as you complete one lap you are an official finisher, ring the finishers bell and you're done, medal and goody bag will be yours!
Can I stop at marathon distance?
Yes. You can stop when you like! You can stop at Half Marathon, Marathon or Ultra distances (and a few distances inbetween too!)
Do you have secure baggage facilities
No. But you're free to leave bags at the start/finish/community hall. There will always be someone around but we can't guarantee their security.
Can I leave my own drinks/food at the aid station?
Yes no problem at all, we have a dedicated table for runners own supplies if they have anything special that they'd like to bring along.
Trail shoes? Road Shoes?
Road shoes should be fine if its dry. Otherwise possibly trail or hybrid as a fair bit is on tarmac, and also a little bit on grassy trails.
Is the course closed to the public?
No. We are on a public trails and bike paths. Runners do not have the right of way and need to be considerate of other users of the land, there may be dog walkers, ramblers or cyclists on any part of the course. Please don't litter. We'll have a bin at the base camp, please use this and there are several bins on the route too.
What on course facilities do you provide?
Water, squash, nibbles, starter, timekeeper and encouragement every lap! Base station will be well stocked for all runners. This is a typical example of the picnics, sorry aid station, we have...
Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?
Yes there are toilets inside the Community Hall
Can I use an ipod or mp3 player on the course?
Yes. Though please be aware that you are running on public footpaths with the general public so make sure that you pay attention to traffic, people, children on bikes, wildlife and so on.
Public Transport?
The nearest train station is Penistone and is about a quarter of a mile away or so.
