Many fell races are routed in history, old and wizened, and sometimes linked to older events. The race run yesterday on Sunday just gone being an example of a fell run originating from a fair in an old part of Derbyshire where plums were picked. The sign I photographed at the community field explains all. Sadly the Plum Fair ceased in 2013.
In the 19th Century plum trees grew in the Etherow Valley and when the mills closed during Wakes in early September, millworkers and visitors would come to harvest the plums and enjoy themselves. There was also the popular bag of coal race up steep Redgate between coal merchants, which again has sadly ended with time.
Padfield Village Website: http://www.padfieldvillage.btck.co.uk/PlumFair
The Scamper? A 5.5 mile race taking in a thousand feet of climb as you head on a fast pelt to the Cock Hill Trig Point above the village then back again. The route can be found at: https://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/plumfairscamper/page-1. It is a great route with broad views of Glossop and the surrounding hills, and certainly one to do again. After the race it was back home for a shower and to rescue Ted, then to the Reclamation Rooms in Uppermill for food and a brew.
The race is run clockwise.
The average pace from my Strava was just over 8 minutes per mile, but a slow 2nd mile on the climb up the track to the spot height of 481 metres. I assume this is tired legs from all the running last week.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1829507812