News en route
Records smashed in High Way Ultra
This year's Dales High Way Ultra produced some outstanding
performances - and a number of new records, including beating
the Fastest Known Time by 50 minutes!
The race start was staggered from 6 am to 9 am, with Paul
Haigh taking an early lead in the field, which he maintained to
the end. Paul finished in a remarkable time of just 19 hours 39
minutes. It looked like that might be it, but then just as dawn
broke Matthew Kennedy appeared at the top of Boroughgate in
Appleby. His later start meant he was neck-and-neck with Paul.
In the end he pipped Paul's new record by just 2 minutes!
Last year's all-round winner, Daniel Hendrickson, also broke
the old record, completing the 90-mile Dales High Way in just 19
hours 51 minutes. He went on to finish the Dales High Way Plus
(an extra knee-crunching loop around High Cup Nick adding
another 14 miles) in a new record time of 24 hours and five
minutes to become overall winner of the event for the second
year running!
Bev Holmes became the first woman veteran over 50 (FV50) to
complete the main 90-mile route, coming in with a time of 26
hours 8 minutes, alongside Andrew Clitheroe. Ultra running
legend Sharon Gayter became the first FV50 to complete the 104
mile event, in a time of 31 hours 48 minutes.
There were many other personal records set. Even those who
had to drop out before the finish enjoyed the challenge. Grant
Smalley said "I'm not bothered about medals, T-shirts and all
that jazz. It's great yeah, but I run to have fun. I had so much
fun. I might be a little gutted, but I'm experienced enough now
to not let it beat me down. To say it was tough was an
understatement. To say it was a tremendous course, is equally
so. Absolutely beautiful. Of what I saw, pound for pound it's
the toughest course I've ever done. It's also my favourite."
Picture shows Paul Haigh leaving check-point 1 at Addingham,
run by the Friends of A Dales High Way.
9 May 2022
Yorkshire Heritage Way launch
A NEW 42 mile Yorkshire Heritage Way recreational trail
between Bradford Cathedral and Ripon Cathedral was officially
launched this weekend.
The trail links the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Saltaire -
also the start of A Dales High Way - and Fountains Abbey,
passing through stunning countryside in the Bradford district
and North Yorkshire.
The launch event at Bradford Cathedral on Friday attracted a
large crowd. Among the speakers were Colin Speakman - President
of the Burley Bridge Association - and the Bishop of Bradford
Nick Baines. Walkers then began a four-day walk along the route.
The route was devised by the campaigners for a footbridge
over the river Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale. The call for a
bridge dates back 125 years, but the current Burley Bridge
Association charity was formed in 1996. Planning permission for
the current design was approved in 2018 and campaigners are well
on the way to raise the required half-million pound funding.
Walkers currently have to use stepping stones at the site to
cross the river - an option only available in very dry weather. An
alternative route here is available at other times.
2 May 2022
Last chance to join High Way Ultra
There's just one week left to sign up for the ultimate long
distance Yorkshire race - the Dales High Way Ultra Marathon.
Entries close on Sunday, 24th April with the race starting
from Saltaire on Saturday morning, 7th May.
There's a choice of just running the 90-mile route of
A Dales
High Way, or adding an extra 14-mile round to the end to take in
High Cup Nick. All to be done in less than 36 hours!
The race was first run last year, with the winner Daniel
Hendriksen taking just 20 hours 56 minutes to finish.
The fastest known time for the route - 20 hours 31 minutes -
was set by supported solo runner Mark Kerry who ran the trail
just 2 days earlier.
The Friends of A Dales High Way looked after the Settle checkpoint
last year and will be once again on hand to help out.
Chris
Grogan of the Friends said: "We are very happy to be looking
after a checkpoint again this year. It's great to be part of
such a well organised event and we're all looking forward to
it."
Follow the race live from 7 am on Saturday morning
on Track Trail here.
18 Apr 2022
Return of Guided Walks
A free Guided Walks Programme along the world-famous
Settle-Carlisle railway line made a welcome return this weekend.
The walks, organised by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle
Line (Foscl), kicked off with a 6-mile circular Introductory
Walk from Settle. 26 walkers turned up for the walk, which was
led by Foscl regulars Bob and Lindy Clarke, including many who
had never walked with the Friends group before.
Foscl Walk Organisers Alice and Russ Whelan-Smith said: "Well I think we
can call that a success! We’re sure a few of the new walkers
will make an appearance on future walks. Bring on next weeks
walk."
The Foscl free walks programme had been suspended for the
last two years due to the Covid pandemic. The programme will run
every Saturday until the end of September, with a few Sunday
walks thrown in the mix as well. Walks all start and finish at a
station along the line. Anyone who wants to join just has to
turn up at the start - no booking required.
Another group - the Friends of Dales Rail (FDR) - also run a
popular programme of free guided walks along the line.
So there's plenty for keen walkers in Dales High Way country
to choose from!
4 April 2022
90 miles across the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales
