For a description of the route we defer to the long time chronicler of the race to which we all owe a massive debt, Malcolm Douthwaite, who’s detailed history on the event is available on this site. While reading about the history of the event, I came across this passage which I thought too fascinating not to include on the site:
There is a publication called studmarks on the summit which in its title it is described as ‘A history of Amateur Fell Running 1861-1982’ by Bill Smith. It describes the Hallam Chase as a course of 3 miles distance and 1,000 feet in elevation. My own description differs somewhat, but in my own 57 years association with the event I know of no occasion when the full course has been measured or surveyed. On the present day entry form the distance is stated as being over a distance of 3.25 miles. I am also not aware of any map of the course being published, that was until June 1997 when I drew a sketch of the course whilst sitting on the top of Den Bank and is now printed on the reverse of the entry form. Prior to that year, the runners had to rely upon a description of the route, which was printed on the entry schedule for the race, and programme (no longer printed). So using an Ordnance Survey and Orienteering Maps, plus bench marks levels supplied by a former winner of the race, I cam up with the following information. The start is 826 feet above sea level, crossing the top of Den Bank at 700 feet. A 50 foot descent of Den Bank to the fields, to reach the quarter way stage of the race where they cross the footbridge over the River Rivelin at 400 feet, which is the lowest part of the course after a descent of 426 feet. The runners then climb via Tofts Lane, the fields up Church Street where they cross a contour line of 750 feet to Stannington Church at approximately 775 feet. However, I must add that until the day that the course is surveyed, my figures should only be considered as a guide for the runners.
As far as I know this is the route map that has been used ever since. Of course, there are also more modern gps mappings available online.
NB: The course crosses Rivelin Valley Road and the course has changed over time. Now, for the purposes of safety, a dog leg has been introduced so runners go along Rivelin Valley Road for a short distance before turning up to the Rivelin pub. This small course change (close detail here) has made historical course records difficult to match.
