From Rachel Carter…

The Blubberhouses Moor 24 Challenge is an event organised by Nidderdale Long Distance Walker Association so has a combination of runners and walkers. It’s a very well organised low key event that starts at Norwood Village Hall in Bland Hill – a hamlet above Swinsty Reservoir. The first few miles take you along the paths of Swinsty, and Fewston reservoirs, then follows the River Washburn to Thruscross Dam. After that there is a 3 mile steady climb to Rocking Hall shooting Hut before a descent to Bolton Abbey. The elevation lost in quickly gained again by a short sharp climb up to Storiths, followed by a longer drag up Beamsley Beacon. From here it’s a traverse across the exposed (and on Sunday wet and windy) moor to Round Hill, Lippersley Pike and then Ellacarr Pike – made all the more boggy by Saturday’s heavy rain. The final few miles take down you to Timble, then Swinsty before a final half mile climb up the fields to the finish inside the hall where you are served hearty food by LDWA volunteers. Martin Hartley and I ended up running most of the first 2/3rds together which was enjoyable and helped the miles pass but he had more in his legs for the final 3rd than me so left me on the climb up Beamsley. Martin finished strongly in 5th (I think!) in a time of 3hr 42min with a 20 min PB on his previous attempt in 2023. Having nipped in front of the 2nd lady at Rocking Hall checkpoint I was pleased to retain this position to the finish (8th overall I think, 3hr 55min) with the first lady being Emma Hopkinson of Wharfedale. There were others from Ilkley but I haven’t seen an formal results yet to include them here. So definitely one I’d recommend (whether you fancy to walk or run) for it’s short commute, friendly vibe, checkpoint support and a meal at the finish all for £8. 

PS I just read that some walkers bumped into Gareth Southgate walking his dogs – so maybe an opportunity for that in the future too!

I assume results will get published here in time