Marcus Scotney wins New Balance Ultra Tour of the Peak District

The New Balance Ultra Tour of the Peak District has been won by Marcus Scotney. This inaugural 56.5 mile Ultra has been a closely fought race across the Peak District National Park. With Accelerate-sponsored Stuart Walker, taking second place. 

The 56.5mile race started at 8am on Sunday 26^th August with 50 runners leaving Whirlow Hall Farm on the edge of Sheffield to head across the Peak District’s undulating landscape taking in key features such as Stanage Edge, Derwent, Ladybower and Kinder Scout with 2722 metres of ascent this ultra challenge is no easy undertaking.

Marcus Scotney finished in 9hours 19minutes 23seconds ahead of second place runner Stuart Walker, from Sheffield who finished just over 20minutes later in 9hours 41minutes 21seconds.

Marcus Scotney has represented England 4 times at 100Km including the Commonwealth 100Km Championships in 2009. He was also part of Team GB at the World and European 100Km Championship and finished 5^th in the recent Anglo Celtic Plate Race (100Km). Marcus used to live in Sheffield and run with the Dark Peak Fell Runners, though is currently residing in Dumfries and Galloway.

Marcus has won a prestigious Ultra Tour of the Peak District Trophy, £200 Cash (courtesy of New Balance), New Balance Running Shoe of choice, Nathan Hydration Minimist Vest, 2 Pairs of Injinji Toe Socks and Entry to next year’s New Balance Ultra Tour of the Peak District.

At Monday’s Prize Presentation he was asked about the event, “The going was tough in places yet, the Peak District deserves to have a premier ultra like this event. To show off the amazing beautiful scenery and terrain that is out there in the Peak District.”

First women home was Sally Fawcett in a time of 11hours 36minutes and 38seconds. This was Sally’s first ever ULTRA and having spent the winter road training for London Marathon she made a number of changes to her training, including, “Lots of local fell races, there’s loads  of them about. Slowing down the miles, just being prepared to walk, which is difficult at first and lots and lots of steady miles”. 

The finishers continued to cross the line in to Monday and welcomed with a hearty cheer from marshals, supporters and other competitors as they enter the BIG Barn at Whirlow Hall Farm to relax in the Chill Out Zone. 

The Ultra Tour of the Peak District is generously sponsored by New Balance and has been brought to life by Whirlow Hall Farm and Accelerate