hpm-rules

Start and Finish procedure

We recommend you arrive at Edale at least an hour before your start time. But not before 8pm if possible whilst we’re still setting up.

Please remember that the Edale car park is "Pay and Display" and they do check. An ‘all day’ ticket bought after 6pm will last until 6pm Saturday - no need for a ‘24 hour’ ticket.

On arrival register at the desk to confirm your personal details and to sign the FRA declaration.

You will be given a Sport-ident tag at registration. They are provided with an adhesive wrist strap. Alternatively we will also provide string so you can attach them where you like. If using your own tag we will record its number.

All teams will have their kit checked prior to the start. Do not skimp on clothing or equipment! The list of equipment in the rules is the bare minimum.

Food ( sandwiches etc) and hot drinks will be available before the start and at the Moscar and Snake checkpoints. All competitors are however required to carry food and drink for the duration of their time on the hill. At the finish there will be a hot meal (some sort of stew probably) available until 4pm on Saturday.

Teams will start at the time given on the start list. ‘Walking’ teams from 10pm onwards and ‘running’ teams from 11pm.

High Peak Marathon Rules (with additional notes)

The High Peak Marathon is insured through The Fell Runners Association and organised under FRA rules. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from this and future events.

1. The HPM is open to teams of four all of whom must have experience of strenuous winter expeditions in the mountains, and must be 18 years of age or over at the start of the race.

2. Every entrant must confirm that they have read these rules and other event information and therefore understand the nature of the event and that participation is at their own risk.
On arrival at the Edale Village Hall all entrants must register and sign the following declaration prepared by the Fell Runners Association, who provide us with insurance:

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS RACE IS HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOTH THE RULES AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF THE FRA. I CONFIRM THAT I AM AWARE OF THE ORGANISER’S INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RACE. I ACCEPT THE HAZARDS INVOLVED IN FELL RUNNING AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM ENTERING AND RUNNING AT MY OWN RISK. OTHER THAN THE ORGANISER’S LIABILITY FOR CAUSING DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY BY NEGLIGENCE, I CONFIRM THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ORGANISERS ACCEPT NO LIABLITY TO ME FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY NATURE TO MYSELF OR MY PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS RACE.

3. Teams must register at Edale Village Hall least one hour before their given start time and present their kit for examination on request.

4. Teams must be self sufficient, with no supporters or pace-makers.

5. Teams must register at each checkpoint, in the correct order, together as a four, and stay in contact with each other and be able to assist each other throughout the event.
Team members must look after each other! Any team arriving at a checkpoint with one member missing will be disqualified. In all circumstance participants must stay at least in pairs until a retiring or injured team member has been picked up by a minibus, ambulance or mountain rescue team.

6. If any member(s) retire for any reason then whole team must retire and return to event HQ at Edale.
We have since decided that in certain circumstances (good weather being one) teams of two or three can still progress safely, as in other events. There are conditions:

Team changes can only be made at the checkpoints at Moscar and Snake where retiring members can be picked up by vehicle.
The remaining team must still carry the team kit between them as required by rule 12.

It follows that if a retiring team member is making use of the tent and sleeping bag then the whole team must retire.
In other words don’t expect to be able ditch your suffering team-mate at any
checkpoint and carry on!

7. If a team retires between checkpoints they should contact the event HQ as soon as possible by telephone. (We do allow mobile phones).
An emergency number is on the route cards given at registration.

8. Teams may be retired on reaching Cut Gate after 0800hrs, Snake Summit after 1200hrs, or Edale Cross after 1400hrs.
We cannot force you but retiring at these times is advised because we stop doing food at 4pm and go home at 5.30pm!

9. On finishing the event- teams must hand-in borrowed Sport Ident tags to the event HQ. Unreturned or lost tags will be charged at their cost price £18. Teams are welcome to use their own tags.
10. Clothing- to be worn or carried by every competitor must include as a minimum:

Adequate footwear with suitable grip for steep ground.
Warm full body cover, socks, hat and gloves.
Additional warm top.
Water resistant over trousers (Pertex ok but if no heavy rain forecast, otherwise fully waterproof).
Fully waterproof jacket with hood.

Bring a fully waterproof pair of trousers with taped seams etc just in case.
Full thermal base layer + warm top+ waterproof outer is bare minimum. Extra mid-layer is definitely recommended it could be a long cold night!
Also recommended to check the state of your shoes. An event like this can finish off an old pair. It would a shame to have to retire as a result.

11. Equipment to be carried by every competitor must include:

a) Adequate food and drinks bottle.

b) Separate emergency rations.

c) Head torch with spare batteries to give 8hrs use.

d) Map of whole route at 1:50,000 scale or larger.

e) Whistle and compass.

f) Survival bag or space blanket.

12. Equipment to be carried between the whole team:

a) Tent with sewn in ground sheet. Must be complete with poles and pegs and capable of sheltering 4 people.

b) One Sleeping Bag

c) First Aid Kit

Maps- are not provided. The new ‘British Mountain Map’ 1:40,000 by Harvey Maps shows the recent wire fences, but you might find the contours to be a bit faint. Best carry a selection between you and laminate them. Everyone must have the complete route though.
A ‘Blizzard Pack’ is acceptable as a sleeping bag. Blizzard Packs are glorified survival bags made of multiple layers of space blanket type foil. A bit crinkly but warm and only weigh 300g.
First Aid Kit- must contain as a minimum; a triangular bandage; a large wound dressing; a selection of plasters for minor cuts; micropore; disposable gloves and any personal medication. Gaffer tape is an optional extra recommended by our friends in the mountain rescue, they use it to fix almost everything. Wrap some around your water bottle/bag!
Torch- the bigger the better. Just make sure you have enough batteries.

13. Technology- Altimeters and Mobile Phones may be used. Global Positioning Systems may not, but they may be carried in a package sealed by the organisers for use in an emergency. If the seal is broken, the team will be disqualified.

All checkpoints have an Sport-Ident station. The Sportident gives us instant times and results but for safety most of the checkpoints are also manned and in radio contact with HQ. We carefully track your progress and can work out whether you are lost between checkpoints - maybe even before you do!

At each checkpoint therefore:

Dib your tag into the station when it will bleep and flash
AND make your arrival known to the checkpoint team by giving your team number ( see start list)

Route cards- will be issued at registration with the route above and an emergency phone number.

Bad weather route- The route may be changed at anytime, even during the event if weather conditions deteriorate. We have numerous bad weather alternative routes prepared. If the weather is extremely serious we may have to cancel at the last minute and will telephone the team leaders.
Emergency Camp- at Slippery Stones in the Derwent Valley (SK169 950) for use by retiring teams.

Noise- Competitors are requested to avoid making noise near habitation, in particular at Twitchill Farm (SK 178 847). From Moscar checkpoint the route now goes via Cutthroat Bridge on the main road to avoid a house on the path off Strines Road- this will be strictly enforced.

Trespassing- The whole route uses either public footpaths or open access land. Do not climb any walls into farmland. Trespassing onto the railway at Hope is a really stupid thing to do.

The following equests from The Upper Derwent Valley Partners (National Trust, Natural England etc.) came with the agreement to let us hold this years event:

1. Howden Dean Restoration Area (SK 190 920). This is a fenced off area between Lost Lad and Sheepfold Clough. Please do not cross into this area. If you meet the fence follow it east until picking up the path again.

2. Bleaklow Moorland Restoration Project. “Participants should be careful to keep to the path and avoid damaging bare peat and restored areas”- Do your best!!

3. Brown Knoll (SK 084 851). Avoid the summit of Brown Knoll (trig point area) by skirting round to the east. See final instructions for full details of compulsary route diversion.