Gypsy Hack

I used to live in Edinburgh not so long ago, where we had the Cameo and Filmhouse not far from each other. Complemented each other very well. No reason why it shouldn't survive alongside the Showroom, but given the prices and reported lack of decent beer I'm picking the Showroom for Birdman this evening. Also, the membership prices seem a bit steep. £50 for a couple of free films and 15% off the rest means you need to be visiting pretty regular to get value out of it. They seem to be relying on curiosity and word of mouth rather than introductory offers to entice people in. Which is fine, as long as word of mouth says it's worth going.

Got a PB but had it difficult and missed out on my main target. That wind was brutal, had very little to give in the second half of the race. Brilliantly organised again though, and a great atmosphere. I love the contraflow of runners, being cheered on by people from the club was a huge help.

Is this meant to be on the Sheffield HM thread? I think it's Sheephill Road > Hathersage Road > Cross Lane > Causewayhead Rd, then down Rushley Rd and Limb Lane on to Eccy Rd Sth.

No, I don't. The last km has a bit of climb, but the bulk of the second half goes down from Low Bradfield to the edge of the resevoir. There's only 50ft or so of total elevation in it, but the start is definitely below Low Bradfield.

I did the full course as part of my long Sunday run (out and back bits) and I think it'll be fast. The road surface is mostly excellent, and there is a slight decline over the second half of the race (and if there's any wind, that'll probably be behind you on the way back too). Not too many puddles either

The group you saw may have been the Steel City Striders - they have a new club run on Wednesdays going from Hillsborough. http://www.steelcitystriders.co.uk/wednesday-evening-hillsborough/ They're a good club and you'd be made to feel welcome. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something in S6 and are comfortable with running 7 miles. Otherwise if you don't mind traveling to EIS in Attercliffe, my club does club runs for all abilities on Tuesdays and interval sessions on Thursdays, again for all abilities. See here: http://sheffieldrunningclub.org.uk/training-sessions/faq/

A mate mapped it at short of 1000ft of total elevation. I don't think it's going to be as bad as people think though. Stiff climb in the early-middle miles but 6 miles of constant downhill / flat to finish. Not a PB course but nothing like Eyam.

It's the same day as Percy Pud which might be tricky for some (me included). I can't run it, but as long as time allows I'll turn up with a soundsystem blaring out the Benny Hill theme tune to accompany a load of Santas being chased through the city centre by a large group of coppers.

The only instance of cheating I've seen at a parkrun was a few months back at Hillsborough. I was just doing it as a HMish pace tempo run, but a guy who had started off behind me at a slower pace was obviously 'racing' for position and had decided he didn't like the corners very much. So he started cutting every single one by greater and greater amounts. He eventually caught up with me at the end of the second lap and was 15 yards or so in front by the playground, despite us running at almost the same pace. He finished in 3rd but having only run about 4.5km, strutted around for a bit looking unfathomably pleased with himself, then ran off. I've never seen him since, I don't think he was a local runner. ---------- Post added 17-11-2014 at 11:51 ---------- Will have to do this one day - it's just down the road from my mum's family in Fitzwilliam.

Hi Kirsten, It's the Steel City Striders. They are one of a few local running clubs (the area has a very lively club scene). I found info on their Hillsborough training run here. The first one is tomorrow. I'm sure you will be able to just turn up. I know Andrew Davies who is down as leader, and the Striders are a good club and will make you feel welcome. If you fancy more of a travel, my own club - Sheffield Running Club - offer training runs for all abilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the English Institute of Sport. Easily reachable from Hillsborough via tram, and you would be very welcome to join us. Our coach also runs a weekly hill training session in the woods out in Oughtibridge which might be good for you if you like running on trails. More info here - http://sheffieldrunningclub.org.uk/training-sessions/faq/ or feel free to PM me if you want more info. Happy running!

Good to hear - I'll be sure to not overindulge too much over the new year.

I was trying to include in and around South Yorkshire. I tried to include races within 30 minutes or so drive from Sheffield. Sheffield itself may be short but I think it's true of most cities outside of London (I have a mate who travels to London regularly and seems to do a different 10k every week down there). I think it's looking up for us though, as you say be good to have a proper half marathon here (I've pre-registered already, you get a discount if you have a number for this year). I get what you mean about the NW though. Fylde Road Runners seem to organise quite a bit down Lancashire way. My girlfriend did the Blackpool Hilton HM a few weeks ago which was very well organised and I'm planning on doing the Central Lancs HM (starting from Preston, incidentally) on Jan 4th next year - both are Fylde races.

Disagree that the area doesn't have a lot of great races though. I've done lots of races in and near South Yorkshire this year that have been brilliantly organised. Eyam half marathon, Askern's three races, the Round Sheffield Run - plus the Doncaster 5k and Chesterfield marathon / HM which I didn't do but seemed to be great successes and were enjoyed by my friends who did them. Even the Sheffield Half was great craic this year, despite the shambles. Never done Percy Pud but it has a great reputation with my club and I'm looking forward to it this year. Admittedly it's tricky to find PB potential courses in Sheffield, but the Askern 10k is dead flat and it isn't far to go somewhere like Leeds for the Abbey Dash, or Manchester for Trafford, if you want a real speedster's race. On another note, a friend also missed out on Percy Pud and is looking for a place if anyone has one available.

That'll be a course record then...

Yup, that will have been me! If we spoke on the course, hello again! Shoulder will be fine thanks :-) Some great pics there, cheers for the link.