Entries now open (from1/10/24)

Apply online : www.sientries.co.uk

Enquiries email: leadenboot22@gmail.com

Dogs no longer allowed in event

After careful consideration the Leaden Boot Committee has taken the decision not to allow participants to be accompanied by a dog(s) in 2024 and subsequent years. As previous entrants will know, the majority of the route is across open farmland and every year we have to get permission from many different landowners and tenants for the event to cross their land. Their main concern is of course the welfare of their livestock. Sheep will for the most part keep a wide berth of a dog on or off the lead but cattle, in particular young stock and cows with calves are curious and can be aggressive. As organisers our main concern is the welfare of our runners and walkers. Last year we received several phonecalls to HQ during the event from people who were unable to get to stiles and gates because they were blocked by cattle attracted by a dog. Some were quite panicked by the proximity and excitement level of the animals and had to wait for other small groups of walkers in order to continue en masse.

As a committee we feel we should take action before anything more serious occurs therefore we are saying NO to dogs from 2024. We are hopeful that you will understand and support this decision.

Why not join our Facebook group: Leaden Boot Challenge

and our Instagram: leadenbootchallenge

Any queries please email: leadenboot22@gmail.com

GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN April 2025

The Challenge raises funds and makes grants to support local causes and projects with over £60,000 being donated over the last 14 years to our local communities. Applications for amounts between £200 – £2000 are welcome from April 2025.

This year a magnificent £8200 has been donated to local good causes in need! Successful grant applications in 2024 were received from:

Grindon Parish Council, Alstonefield St Peter’s Church, Hartington Village Hall, Ilam church, Parwich Memorial Hall, Warslow Village Hall, Alan Hayes, Back of Ecton residents, Manifold Ringers. Ilam CofE School, Alstonefield Clockwinders, Hartington Young People’s Activity Club, Alstonefield Wakes Committee

Once again the Leaden Boot Committee would like to extend our grateful thanks to all those fantastic volunteers and competitors who made this years event a success and helped us raise this money for our community.

Next years event will be held on Sunday May 18^th so please save the date!

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Any queries about the event (including applying for a 2024 grant application form) should be emailed to: leadenboot22@gmail.com

http://www.alstonefield.org/wp-content/uploads/Frequently-Asked-Questions-1.docx

Click here for Gallery of Photographs “a stroll around the route”

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So, why the Leaden Boot Challenge?

Lead stolen from the church roof of St Peters, Alstonefield in 2010 prompted numerous fund raising activities within the Parish to raise the£10,000 needed to re-lead the roof and to introduce a security system. One of the many fund raising schemes was the development of a challenge event centred around the Parish. A small team of local walkers sought to create an event that was both challenging and fun!

The result is the Leaden Boot Challenge, a 26.2 mile walk/run that entails 4800 feet of ascent, and descent, starting and finishing in the White Peak village of Alstonefield. Start is from the Village Hall in the centre of Alstonefield at 09:00 and finish no later than 21:00 (12 hours maximum). Hot breakfast rolls are on sale at the start to help you on your way. There are six manned checkpoints (plus two unmanned checkpoints), spaced approx 4 mile apart. Each manned checkpoint has water, squash, snacks, first aid facilities and mobile communications between checkpoints and the Memorial Hall for additional support as required. Walkers who retire will be transported back to the start.

Locally made hot food and cakes are provided for all participants at the finish (included in entry fee). Certificates and cloth badges will also be given at the finish for those who successfully complete the challenge. Although principally a challenge walk (following LDWA guidelines), the event is open to both walkers and runners. The shortest time to complete the LBC is 4 hours 12 minutes set by Kurt Fitch in 2019, and he also was the first to complete the 2022 challenge with a time of 4 hours 22 minutes, (also taking the record as the first person to win the challenge twice). Following the success of the various appeals to reach the initial goal of £10,000 by August 2010, the Leaden Boot Challenge has moved on and now supports local good causes. To-date, the event has raised over £45,000 for a variety of local causes.

The elliptical route minimises the use of the more popular trails and other challenge routes around the Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales. Starting from Alstonefield, the route goes through Milldale, over Baley Hill, into Nabs Dale, across the Dove at Ilam Rock, climb to Aires Cottage, then descend Bunster Hill, past Ilam Hall, through Musden Woods and up to Slade House Farm, then past Throwley Hall, through Grindon, across the Manifold at Wetton Mill, over Ecton Hill, Hulme End, Sheen, around Sheen Hill, across the River Dove at Pilsbury, Hartington, Beresford Dale, Narrow Dale and back to Alstonefield.