Boot Bash – REPORT OF 2022 EVENT – 18th JUNE
This year’s event was the 16th Baslow Boot Bash after a break of 2 years because of the pandemic. For the first time we had more entrants on the 14 mile course than the 26 mile: 149 starters on the 14 mile and 124 on the 26 mile. Only 5 people retired on each course which is a credit to the fitness of all the entrants. The weather no doubt helped, cool and calm without any significant rain until about 6pm when most people were either back in the village hall tucking in to their pie and peas or already at home.
The choir volunteers on the checkpoints appreciated the fine weather as much as the runners and walkers although the few who remained at checkpoint 7 until 8pm got decidedly wet and cold. It was a pleasure in the car park in the morning to see the happy and appreciative people getting ready for their day in the Derbyshire countryside, it makes the whole thing worthwhile. We thank the Chatsworth Estate for permission to use Chatsworth Park for car parking without which it would be impossible to hold the event.
As you all know, this is not a competition but everyone likes to know who was first home. Matt Burden had an outstanding run on the 26 mile completing it in 3h 40 min, the fastest on record and 14 minutes ahead of Kurt Fitch the first time we have had two people under 4 hours. Samantha Willis was first woman home and 4th overall in the excellent time of 4h 22min, another record. Caz Kay and Tim Shiles lead the way home on the 14 mile in just over 2 hours, nearly half an hour ahead of the rest. Congratulations to them but also to all the runners and walkers who completed the courses, we salute your fitness, tenacity and good humour.
Thanks once again to both Raynet, who handled communications, and to the Kinder Mountain Rescue team who provided first aid cover. Good communication is vital to ensure that we don’t lose anyone. We are very grateful for the first aid skills that are on hand whenever the need arises, although the first aiders were thankfully hardly used this year. We must also thank those members of the Mountain Rescue team who sweep the route ensuring that we always know where the tail-enders are.
Thanks also to the Baslow choir volunteers who cheerfully provide the refreshments and keep everybody going throughout the day, those who man the checkpoints, the car parking and road signage. Finally thanks to Glyn Herron and his team for supervising the event from the village hall and making sure everyone is accounted for. It was Glyn’s first year dealing with the onerous job of dealing with the entries throughout the year so a special thanks to him.
We are determined to maintain quality and for this reason we have to put a ceiling on the number of entrants for 2023. If you want to secure a place on next year’s event, you are strongly advised to book early. As usual booking will open in September 2022.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to making the Boot Bash such an enjoyable and friendly event. See you next year!