Smalley 5 Bells Race

Smalley 5 Bells is a five-mile summer trail race organized by Smalley Road Runners in Derbyshire. It is a multi-terrain event, with a route suitable for beginners, intermediate runners, and experienced runners seeking a challenging off-road run. The club promotes it as a welcoming race, and it holds an England Athletics licence. The course covers the area around Smalley, Mapperley, and Shipley Country Park, utilizing woodland, bridleways, and country paths. The name originates from St John the Baptist Church in Smalley, where five bells were donated to the parish and a tower was constructed to house them. The bell theme is also present locally in The Bell pub and some street names, linking the race name closely to the village's identity. A Smalley 5 Bells Fun Run also exists, complementing the main race with a family-oriented option.