Set in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands and billed as the '3rd hilliest road race in uk', I knew this was going to be a challenge to tick off rather than a 'race'. Time was irrelevant as marathon tapering had started and wanted to put in a solid last 'long' run. 

Registration was easy. Online booking and regular Facebook and Twitter updates kept participants in the loop. An email a few days before the event, outlined the race day logistics. I was pleased to see that had struck a deal with Tittesworth Reservoir to only park for £2.50. This car park is normally expensive when visited with family. 

A short walk to the race HQ to pick up race numbers. At first I was happy to do this as I understand postage can be expensive and organisers were trying to keep cost down- however after picking mine up, I noticed the queue was huge. Other runners mentioned the car park ticket machine also has large queues. Race organisers delayed the start for 10 mins - not the end of the world but for those coming in future, leave plenty of time to get parked and to HQ. 

The route started off the main road and again the delayed runners made this a tight squeeze on a farmers track. But once the race had begun runners spread out nicely. 

The first km was flat and a good warm up for what was to come- GUNN HILL. I'd heard about it and even for a lover of hills, this one just kept going (approx 5k to summit). But what goes up must come down - a beautiful meander through the countryside and the views were amazing. 

Water was handed out in plastic cups. Not my favourite but again understandable to keep cost down. 

The course looped around and then it was time for Gunn Hill part 2 - back up the other side. Apart from the occasional car passing, runners were free to run/walk at their desired hill speed and by 13km the hills had finished- the last 2km straight down. 

The finish line was freely moving where a bottle of water was given out. No medal, to the disappointment of some runners however a good quality etc- tshirt was the prize for 'surviving' 

All in all- a great value, local based and organised race.