Live GPS Tracking from Track Trail® on race day
The Gritstone Grind 34.5 mile
September 13th 2026 - 14th Edition
A straightforward challenge and it always sell out fast! We created this event to be an accessible, low-key event. We want to keep the cost down and the satisfaction level high.
All the main 34.5 mile event registrations will take place once again at the new 7.5million pound refurbished Kidsgrove Sports Centre.
The entire 34.5mile national trail between Kidsgrove and Disley is really well way-marked with nice waymarks with a ‘G’ on them to help you out. We also give you a participant handbook and route guide. Bring along your GPS/phone or paper map and keep your eyes open and you won’t go far wrong. If you want to pay a little more for a medal but that is optional to keep race entries low and environmental waste to a minimum. The guidebook says “It’s a beautiful 3-day walk in the beautiful Peak District”. We have given you 12 hours, and honestly I can walk it in 11 hours. 12 hours is generous even for those new to ultras. That’s less than 3mph.
Either, park at Disley and book the £8.50 for coach to the start, or make your own way to the registration venue in Kidsgrove. Then all you have to do is grind out the miles all the way to Disley. Once you get back, you’ll get congratulated! All for a low cost entry price! Places are limited and always sell out so enter as soon as registration opens to avoid disappointment.
Route Details
NEW: Download the 2025 guidebook here (2026 guidebooks will be issued one month before the event
In case you are interested, the OS maps that cover the whole route are:
1:50k – OS Landranger: 109, 118
1:25k – OS Explorer: 1, 24, 258, 268 (268 cover 95% of the route)
The route begins with a flat canal section before a climb up to Mow Cop castle for great to views over Staffordshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire. Next descend gently to refreshment point (CP1) at Timbersbrook picnic area. A short, sharp climb up The Cloud follows; from the top of which you can survey a good 10 miles of the upcoming course.
Enjoy a nice descent to run alongside the River Dane, before a gentle climb up to Wincle Minn, and then over the road to the huge transmitter station at Croker Hill to enjoy panoramic views over Cheshire. Descend from Croker Hill, and over fields then short divert on road to (CP2).
Down to the outskirts of Macclesfield Forest to Langley before a short, sharp climb up everyone’s favourite named hill “Tegg’s Nose” . Onwards North to Rainow, with a cambered ascent up to The White Nancy at Kerridge Hill, and then down to the outskirts of Bollington to find the 3rd and final refreshment point (CP3). Next a very long but steadytowards the summit of Sponds Hill.
A left turn where the Gritstone Trail splits to a welcome descent all the way into Lyme Country Park. Then you’re almost home and dry as it’s just a couple of miles into Disley, where you will have finished an incredible ultra that runners repeat year after year!
2026 Entries open Jan 1st 2026 : Midday
All other Beyond Marathon 2026 events are already sold out. This is the last event to go on sale.
Other events out the day they went on sale; some events sold out in seconds.
I advise be here when they open if you want to guarantee yourself a place.
There are no waitlists for any Beyond Marathon events
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£35 race entry (+£1.50 booking fee). All registrations take place at the new indoor venue Kidsgrove Sports Centre)
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If required, coach travel leaving 06:45am from Disley to Kidsgrove costs £8.50
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If required, an optional medal is £6.50
The Gritstone event booking also includes:
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GPS Tracker and electronic RFID chip timing from www.tracktrail.co.uk
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Selection of food and drink at CP’s to suit most needs
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Snacks and drinks at the finish
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Finishers PDF certificate can be downloaded from the chip timing results page
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Optional award can be purchased when booking (£6.50)
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Experienced race director, of well over 100 ultramarathons
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Paramedic support
Refund Policy
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No refunds unless the event is cancelled
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No deferrals
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You can sell your place privately and merchandise to any person that you find yourself, for any fee you agree. Once you have arranged the transfer of funds between yourselves email to us the full name of the person and their email address, and we will make the transfer