Penshaw Hill Race, 28th May 2025

Nina Jensen is currently having a break from marathons and ultras to try a few of the shorter races in the region. This is her report from the Penshaw Hill Race.

“In my quest to try and tick off local races, I entered the 3 mile (although my strava had it shorter) Penshaw Hill Race. It was a cheap no frills event that, as my mate Dave said, “you can just rock up and enter when you’ve checked it”s not peeing down outside”. We stood at the bottom of the hill in dappled sunlight tonight (hence Dave being there!).
At 7.10 people started to wander to position themselves behind the line drawn on the grass and the chatter about numbers of hills quietened as we struggled to hear the briefing. At 7.15 we were off but then soon slowed to a walk as the first path up the hill narrowed.

Ah well said a girl to my right, “a chance for a breather, we’ll need it later!”. Once we started moving again the grassy path widened and was slightly downhill, crossing the main steps before we went up and around the Monument, then we doubled back on ourselves and into the woods behind. The route was undulating, but some nice long downhill stretches to ease the legs before the next climb. Out of the woods, up some steps and over a stile then onto the second lap for more of the same before then ascending the steps to the top of the Monument where we got a beer/alternative options and a key ring. The Monument provided some great views before we caught our breath and headed home.

I’ll probably sign up for this again (with Dave if it’s not raining!)”

Nina was 1st in her age group, finishing in 55th place overall in a time of 25:55.