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 our trail races in the hidden gem of Derbyshire – the hills and valleys that skirt the eastern fringes of the Peak District. These races give you a memorable day out as you enjoy the scenery, take on the running challenge and make new friends along the way!

Trail Run
10 May 2025
Spire Ultra

Now in its 9th year, the Spire Ultra was our first event. 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. Prizes for the first male and female runners.

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

The race has a 9 hour time limit.

Spire Ultra Results 2024

Spire Ultra Results 2025

 

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9 August 2025
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 GPX file 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 2024 Cordwell Colossus 2024 results

Results 2023 resultscordwell colossus 2023

 

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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.
18 October 2025
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 Ashover Village Hall, 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 2 and 4 has food too (granola and flapjack bars, bananas, crisps, individually wrapped savouries, pizza, etc).

CP1 - Tupton 7 miles

CP2 - Wessington 13 miles

CP3 - Fritchley 20 miles

CP4 - Wessington 26 miles

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

Every finisher receives a medal. Prizes for first M / F in each race.

Amberaid Petit Raid Results 19.10.24.docx (1)

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8 November 2025
Linacre Infini Trail Race

This timed trail endurance event follows the lapped format 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. 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)

Results lap times Linacre Infini 09.11.24

Linacre Infini results 11.11.23

Enter via Let’s Do This.

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22 March 2025
Trails of Mena

Known for her love of running manically along the trails for hours on end, these were some of Mena’s favourite routes – the places where she had most fun.

Now linked together in a clockwise circular route, The Trails of Mena give you a combination of track, maintained trail, field and woodland and of course a healthy smattering of ups and downs just so you don’t get too complacent on the flat bits. That said, this will be one of our more runnable events! The course will be lightly marked with arrows at major junctions and on course navigation benefits further from the gpx files made available for both races.

Our marshals will be out on course giving the usual high levels of support and there will be two aid stations on the marathon, one aid station for the half and water stops for both events.

All finishers receive a warm welcoming cuppa and light refreshments as well as a Trails of Mena medal.

This is the first edition of the event and as with our other events has been designed with the runner in mind. Do check out our race reviews on Racecheck for an idea of what you are going to get. As with all of our events, we aim to keep our costs low by cutting out all the unnecessary fripperies. The marathon is £28 / £30 and the half marathon £22 / £24.

Mena was our working cocker spaniel who we sadly lost in July 24. She had a brilliant life with us and the love went both ways. In her memory, a donation from the race will be made to Spaniel Aid CIO to enable other deserving spaniels to enjoy the same brilliant life.

Marathon gpx  Trails of Mena Marathon Route V2. Mapometer.com running route #5581857

Half marathon gpx Trails of Mena Half Marathon Route V2. Mapometer.com running route #5582030

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12 April 2025
Pink Moon - Ladies Trail Half Marathon

Based on our popular Snow Moon and Hunter's Moon half marathon courses, the Pink Moon differs in that it's for the ladies only. 

This trail half marathon heralds the rising of The Pink Moon (the name given to the full moon in April). You will welcome the Pink Moon by running out and back on this challenging but scenic route (expect to be 20 - 30 minutes longer than your usual half marathon time). Starting at 4pm from Race HQ at Rock Lane in Sutton Scarsdale, you run through Sutton Spring Wood and then climb to the Five Pits Trail, making sure to soak up the views as you go. The route will then undulate before reaching the turning loop where there will be an aid station catering for your needs.

Running back the way you came, you will receive a warm welcome at the finish where you will receive your medal and you can relax and reflect on your achievement with complementary cake and hot drinks by the campfire!

There will be additional marshals wearing hi viz along the course and in Sutton Springs Wood and they'll be waving glow sticks to guide you to the finish.

There will be a tail runner sweeping the course to ensure everyone is back by 7pm.

Free car parking and toilets are available at the Race HQ and the nearby lane.

The race has a 3hr30 time limit. (This includes an optional 30 minute earlier start for slower athletes or for athletes who don't want to run through dusk/in the dark.)

The Pink Moon race will raise funds for the local Women's Aid charity, The Elm Foundation

(The race follows the same route as the popular Lunar Trail half marathon races - see the Racecheck reviews of our recent Black Moon Rising race for an insight into what participants thought.)

Further information on our commitment to SheRACES guidance is available here and if you have any questions, please get in touch and we would be happy to help and discuss your requirements.

Final Pink Moon Results 12.04.25

 

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

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