celebrate

/ˈsɛlɪbreɪt/

verb  Acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.

birthday

/ˈbəːθdeɪ/

noun  The anniversary of the day on which a person was born, typically treated as an occasion for celebration.

Monday 17th July 2023; an occasion for celebration acknowledged with an enjoyable activity. The enjoyable activity; running through a remarkable landscape. The occasion being celebrated, my 45th birthday.

If there is a positive that can be taken from 2020 it could be that people were almost forced to explore areas in close proximity of their homes. Spending time outside, enjoying the calming and restorative effects of nature. As life returned to the comfortable routine people were more familiar with, the trails also returned to their default, deserted and peaceful.

I felt intrigued to find out how many people make use of the miles of trails through The Peak District on a typical working day. After a conversation with the organisers of the Peak Divide trail run, it seemed using their route for this journey of discovery was the perfect option. Guiding you down well-known and well used paths, the route connects these with much less used trails, hidden gems offering a very different perspective of iconic landmarks within The Peak District. A Nikon FM2 camera loaded with black and white film was to be the tool I would use to produce a portrait of each person, willing to be photographed, who I encountered along the journey. The majority were excited by the proposal, apart from the man I asked while it was pouring down, I don’t think either of us were convinced stopping to take a portrait at that moment was a good idea.

Leaving Sheffield train station behind, I started my adventure in sunshine at 10:04am. Endcliffe Park was a hive of activity, full of happy sounds, parents entertaining children, dogs excitedly sniffing while their owners casually strolled alongside and joggers engrossed in conversation as they navigated the shared pathways. While it was gratifying to be a part of this scene, I was more interested in the remote parts of the route, the areas that required a bit more effort to explore. The places where you really feel immersed in and a part of the natural world.

The whole journey of 48.12 miles took 12 hours 20 minutes and 44 seconds. 8 hours 52 minutes and 45 seconds was dedicated to running or hiking. 3 hours 27 minutes and 59 seconds was idled away in conversation with strangers. 62 different strangers in total. These people had descended on the Peak District from Australia, Germany, France and various parts of the UK. People of all ages including a 90 year old couple and a group of young teenager. People who made me feel inspired and happy.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly train station hungry, thirsty and exhausted, I felt proud and exhilarated by the whole experience.