Mount Cook teams up with Derventio for a triathlon with a twist
Derventio is thrilled to announce a unique partnership with Mount Cook Adventure Centre for the ultimate fundraising and team-building challenge, the Quarry Crusher. Profits from ticket sales will go to Derventio Housing Trust’s Christmas Box appeal 2025, which aims to give each resident a festive gift.
Taking place on Saturday 21 June 2025, Quarry Crusher is no ordinary triathlon. It has three stages and involves swimming, cycling and running – however it’s for teams of four and is more like a sprint triathlon in length. And there’s a twist: each stage will incorporate mini conundrums, enabling team members to use their problem solving and creative skills and have a break during the run and cycle stages.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for work teams, or a group of friends, to have an unforgettable shared experience, while raising money for a good cause.
Each team entry will buy Christmas Boxes for Derventio residents, who have been homeless. As one resident said, ‘At least I’ll have one present to open on Christmas Day.’
The challenges
The event is based at Mount Cook Adventure Centre in Wirksworth and will take place in the beautiful surrounding countryside. There will be a shuttle down to the Lido at the New Bath Hotel & Spa in Matlock, a natural geo-thermal spring fed pool at 19.8 degrees Celsius. Competitors will swim 22 lengths of the 36.5 metre pool – approximately half a mile, 800m. The team challenge will benefit from all members being at least present at the pool, not necessarily in the water.
The run comes next, to avoid cycling on the main road. Runners leave the pool to climb up the east side of Masson Hill to Upperwood and contour around to Bonsall village, then across the Via Gellia at the Mill for the steep climb up to Middleton, and along the flat to Mount Cook. The run, broken by two rest-plus-conundrum stops, is 6.6 km, 4.1 mile, with two steep ascents.
Cyclists will pick up their bikes at Mount Cook to complete a 25 km, 15-mile, loop, stopping twice for puzzles. The final physical challenge incorporates cycling up the Sheep Pasture Incline on the High Peak Trail before crossing the road to finish back at Mount Cook, where one final team collaboration puzzle will complete the challenge.
Teams will be awarded prizes for the fastest time in their category, including all female, all male, mixed and veteran (over 40s) – with other prizes to be announced!
How to get involved
This is the very first Quarry Crusher event, with a fantastic introductory offer of £240 per team.
More details, and how to book, are on the Mount Cook website: https://www.mountcook.uk/quarry-crusher
You can watch a short video about Derventio’s 2024 Christmas box appeal here: https://youtu.be/yZ55pPpKbjY
Prefer to cheer from the sidelines? We’re also looking for volunteer marshals to help on the day. If you’d like to lend a hand without breaking a sweat, get in touch at info@derventiohousing.com