The Windgather fell race (also known as the Andrew Heywood Memorial) is a challenging 13.5 mile route starting and finishing in Burbage around the Goyt Valley, Windgather Rocks, Pym Chair and Shining Tor – it is typically held in October so conditions underfoot can be ‘challenging’.
The event is organised by a member of Macclesfield Harriers. The Club supports the event by providing marshals and race signage.
Race Dates (click to see more detail in the events calendar):
Sunday 11th October 2025 (tbc)
Sunday 13th October 2024
Sunday 22nd October 2023
Other Info
It can be pretty wet in the Goyt Valley, many of the paths can be boggy – you will need Fell Shoes or something similar. The descent after Shining Tor to Stake Clough is particularly bad, please take care.
The wooden boardwalks and at least 2 wooden bridges are very slippery if wet, think Bambi on ice and please take care.
Full kit as per the FRA regulations is required, (any runner turning up with just a blue duffle coat, red hat and a couple of marmalade sandwiches will be sent off to get more kit: this would not even be barely adequate.)
Waterproof whole body cover (with taped seams and integrated attached hood), hat and gloves, map of the route, compass, whistle and emergency food. Additionally a bit of first aid kit would be a sensible precaution, and we’d strongly recommend a water bottle or similar: there is water at two points on route.
In spite of all these dire warnings the race should be good: We’re hoping that each year some folks will actually make it to the start and back to the finish, and we’ll have a warm welcome awaiting you and some food and drink, and prizes:
PARKING – Please car share as much as possible.
Parking will be either :-
Please don’t try to park on Bishop’s Lane or anywhere else on the North of the A53: there is no space close to the venue (the end of Bishop’s Lane closest to the A53) that does not obstruct residents.
2024 Route Map
Due to COVID-19 there was no race in 2020
Due to COVID-19 there was no race in 2020
