Here’s an event to get the blood pumping this weekend. It’s the Mow Cop Hill Race on Sunday 2 April with stunning views across the Cheshire Plain, North Wales and Shropshire. Well worth the pain of the pull up to Mow Cop Castle...

The Mow Cop Hill Race is 6.5 miles on a partially marked and marshalled course that demands respect. This is a fell race so participants can expect tricky terrain underfoot and equally tricky ascents and descents that require grit and determination. They’ll need to stay focused throughout for 400m or 1312ft of elevation.

It is one of three events from Mow Cop Runners, the other two the Roaches Fell Race and the famous (or infamous) ‘Killer Mile’ Race in May - a gruelling affair which is popular with runners of all ages and abilities who like the challenge and the steep gradient!

The race starts at 11am from Mount Pleasant Village Hall and goes up ‘the brake’ then along the Gritstone Trail and the Staffordshire Way. Down it goes through fields, tracks and bog (so shoes with a good grip are essential) before heading up again to Mow Cop. There'll be tired legs (and bodies) in the last mile which is mainly downhill to the finish at the Village Hall where tea and cake thankfully awaits.

There are prizes for male and female category winners including vets and the first men’s and women’s team.

The course records are 43:37 (male) and 48:49 (female).

Entry is on the day only and you can find out more at Mow Cop Runners.

Image courtesy of Tom Peers.