First Light Adventures offer trail races, training courses, guided runs and walks and wild camping in the Peak District, Derbyshire.

TRAIL RACES

Take part in trail races in the hidden gem of Derbyshire – the area that skirts the eastern fringes of the Peak District. These races give you a memorable day out.

Trail Run
11 May 2024
Spire Ultra

Now in its 8th year, the Spire Ultra was our first event and has been a qualifying event for the Run Further Ultra Championships for the previous 5 years. The route largely follows the Chesterfield Round Walk – a waymarked route that circles the town famous for its Crooked Spire. The route has introduced many people to the undiscovered countryside in the area, from the  high moorland, ancient woodland, and reservoirs on the western edges to the rolling farmland and restored former mining areas of the eastern fringes. This route packs a lot of variety into its 33 miles.

What’s included? The race is under permit from the Association of Running Clubs. There are 6 checkpoints en route (4 drinks only and 2 are food and drink – proper food too – sweet and savoury). The trickiest sections are marked with race signage although for the majority of the route you will rely on map / gps / route notes and the Chesterfield Round Waymarks.

The finishers are rewarded with a medal and light refreshments back at the community resource centre.

Free car parking is available at the centre and on the adjoining estate roads.

The race has a 9 hour time limit.

Enter via SiEntries.

Spire Ultra Results 2023

FIND OUT MORE
For the best of adventures, see the light, First Light. We are here to help you make the most of your time and create some great memories.
10 August 2024
Cordwell Colossus

A summer trail run in North Derbyshire just on the edge of the Peak District. It is a lovely loop of challenging goodness on the beautiful trails, paths and woodlands of the Cordwell Valley with a little jink over into the neighbouring Linacre Valley for good measure.

The route is 20 miles with 950m ascent. The event is open to runners and fast walkers who can make the 6-hour cut-off time. 

Starting at Holmesfield Village Hall at 9.00 am, you head north via woodland track before curving around in an anticlockwise direction over hilly farmland, woodland, and rural trails. The views from the high ground are terrific and the route conditions range from highly runnable trails and lanes to more involving single track and trods. The route will be marked on the less obvious sections and a downloadable map, GPX files, and route notes will be available. Basic navigation skills are recommended.

There will be 2 fully stocked checkpoints (sweets and savoury goodies) out on the route with additional refreshments available at the village hall for finishers.

Registration:
From 8 am at Holmesfield Village Hall, Holmesfield, Dronfield S18 7WZ.
Car parking is free of charge to participants in the spacious village hall car park.

Enter via SiEntries.

Results 2023 resultscordwell colossus 2023

FIND OUT MORE
For the best of adventures, see the light, First Light. We are here to help you make the most of your time and create some great memories.
19 October 2024
Amberaid 30 and Petit Raid

A 31-mile trail run over undulating countryside paths and trails in the Amber Valley, Derbyshire, close to the eastern edge of the Peak District. Not up to an ultra? There's also the option of Petit Raid - the Northern Loop which offers 20 miles of quality trail, hills, and views.

Starting at High Ashes Rural Project, the full route scribes a figure of 8 through the rural splendour of the Amber Valley. Highlights aplenty will greet you on your way. There are punchy climbs and engaging descents, expansive views and some of the most pleasant woodland trails you’ll find anywhere in the UK. This event has the makings of becoming one of the best “small” ultra trail races in England. Note, the route is largely unmarked (we do mark out a couple of the trickier sections). We provide route notes and gpx file as downloads however you will have to bring your own map with the route marked on (map can be a photocopy / screen print etc - anything to help you "not get lost")

The event has a 9-hour time limit.

Checkpoints. Each checkpoint has water, and checkpoint 1 and 3 has food too (granola and flapjack bars, bananas, crisps, individually wrapped savories, pizza, etc).

CP1 - Wessington 9 miles

CP2 - Fritchley 16 miles

CP3 - Wessington 21 miles

CP4 - Tupton  27 miles

Additionally, there are a number of self-clips to pass through.

Every finisher receives a medal. Winners' trophies for first M / F in each race.

Enter via SiEntries.

FIND OUT MORE
Trail Run
9 November 2024
Linacre Infini Trail Race

Long in the planning, this timed trail endurance event follows the same lapped format as The HALO with runners aiming to complete as many laps as possible within 6 hours. Locals need no introduction to Linacre, it’s 3 reservoirs are set in a beautiful wooded valley that looks gorgeous any time of the year.  The route is marked and follows well-maintained trails and footpaths and, being in a valley, there may be the odd sneaky climb to contend with. Each lap is 5km and runners will pass the checkpoint at the end/start of each lap.

What’s included? The race is under permit from the Association of Running  Clubs (ARC/23/0621). It’s a fully marked and marshaled course. The start-finish checkpoint is loaded with proper food (sweet and savoury). A bespoke Linacre Infini medal will be awarded to every runner who completes at least 1 lap. Will anyone be able to complete 10 laps?

Car parking is available at Linacre Reservoirs for £3.50 (cash only)

Linacre Infini results 11.11.23

Enter via Let’s Do This.

FIND OUT MORE
30 December 2024
Black Moon Rising
This trail half marathon heralds the rising of The Black Moon (the second new moon in a month). You will welcome the Black Moon by running out and back in this rather challenging race....which is just what you need to burn a few of those excess Christmas calories. Starting from race HQ at Rock Lane in Sutton Scarsdale, you run through Sutton Spring Wood and then climb to the Five Pits Trail, make sure to soak up the views.
The route will then undulate throughout before hitting the turnaround point, where there will be an aid station catering for your needs. Race back the way you came, and stick around after for the social atmosphere around the campfire where a warming home made soup will greet you.
 
FIND OUT MORE
24 February 2024
Snow Moon Trail Half Marathon

Following on from last year’s Snow Moon and Hunter's Moon, this race covers the same trail with a slight field loop at the turnaround point to avoid checkpoint congestion and keep the distance to 13.1 miles. With a late start in the day, the race is timed to allow returning runners to see the best of the sunset from the great views on the trail. Tail enders may even see the full moon rising too though hopefully, we’ll all be around the firepit eating cake and drinking hot chocolate when the moon does rise.

What’s included? The race is under permit from the Association of Running  Clubs. It’s a fully marked and marshaled course. Finishers receive a hot drink and cake and an optional bespoke Snow Moon medal (if the medal option was ticked at booking). Cheer in the remaining runners and socialize by the fire pit afterward.

Enter via Let’s Do This.

Snow Moon results 2024

FIND OUT MORE
navigation trail runs
23 March 2024
Amberaid 30 and Petit Raid

This is the rescheduled Amberaid after the Storm Babet deluge and floods prevented the race taking place on October 21st 2023. It is the same 31-mile trail run over undulating countryside paths and trails in the Amber Valley, Derbyshire, close to the eastern edge of the Peak District. Not up to an ultra? There's also the option of Petit Raid - the Northern Loop which offers 20 miles of quality trail, hills, and views.

Starting at High Ashes Rural Project, the full route scribes a figure of 8 through the rural splendour of the Amber Valley. Highlights aplenty will greet you on your way. There are punchy climbs and engaging descents, expansive views and some of the most pleasant woodland trails you’ll find anywhere in the UK. This event has the makings of becoming one of the best “small” ultra trail races in England. Note, the route is largely unmarked (we do mark out a couple of the trickier sections). We provide route notes and gpx file as downloads however you will have to bring your own map with the route marked on (map can be a photocopy / screen print etc - anything to help you "not get lost")

The event has a 9-hour time limit.

Checkpoints. Each checkpoint has water, and checkpoint 1 and 3 has food too (granola and flapjack bars, bananas, crisps, individually wrapped savouries, pizza, etc).

CP1 - Wessington 9 miles

CP2 - Fritchley 16 miles

CP3 - Wessington 21 miles

CP4 - Tupton  27 miles

Additionally, there are a number of self-clips to pass through.

Every finisher receives a medal. Winners' trophies for first M / F in each race.

Amberaid results 2024 Petit Raid results 2024

FIND OUT MORE
First Light Adventures offer trail races, training courses, guided runs and walks and wild camping in the Peak District, Derbyshire.

What We Offer

Other Links

Get In Touch

hello@firstlightadventure.co.uk07741 488737
The Bothie, Sutton Scarsdale, Chesterfield