Great Dales Way Challenge race a huge success!

Organiser Ryk Downes (centre) presents 1st and 2nd place trophies to Keith Wigley and Ellis Bland

The great Dales Way Challenge race saw the first runner complete the 80-mile trail in just 14 hours 35 minutes and 53 seconds. Keith Wigley had led for most of the run, and was the only one to finish on the same day they set off – Saturday, shortly before midnight. Next in was Ellis Bland.

109 people finished the course of the 131 that started, with the back marker coming in at 34 hours 27 minutes.

The runners were pleased to be met by DWA chairman Colin Speakman in Dent.

Organiser Ryk Downes said “All in all I think was a great success, we left no trace, one of the back runners – a lady approaching 70 years old – said she had never been on a race
with no litter! To this end I am proud of my runners.”

Some of the runners have recorded their impressions on the Punk Panthers website at http://punkpanther.co.uk/news/

Well done to you all!

Follow the Great Dales Way race

Over 150 runners set off from Bowness-on-Widermere this morning at 8.30 a.m. to run the whole 80 miles of the Dales Way as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

By 4 p.m. this afternoon the front runners had reached Gearstones (see above).

You can follow the progress of the great Dales Way challenge race live by going to the website:

https://tracking.racedrone.net/osmap/?dales-way&fbclid=IwAR2JgvTcat562wQ4BX1Ou_qZ0Ysnwtxp1fMANM-W0MIU8dHKHpvxSc5Oe0o

The race is being organised by Punk Panthers and you can find full details on their website:

http://punkpanther.co.uk/dales-way-challenge/

Despite the recent rain it has been hot and sunny today, which has taken its toll.

There are eight checkpoints along the way, with the final one at Ilkley opening at 8 p.m. this evening. The front runners are expected some time after that. Why not join them and cheer them in.

Great success for Anniversary Walk & Exhibition

August 3rd – a bright sunny Saturday morning  – saw over 70 walkers gather at Ilkley Old Bridge to help recreate the first public walk on the Dales Way – 50 years on!

Once again Colin speakman led the walkers from Ilkley as they snaked their way through to Addingham for a short break by the church.

Then it was on to Bolton Abbey, where 2 vintage 1960’s buses were on hand to ferry the weary walkers back to Ilkley.

At 3 o’clock people gathered at the Ilkley Manor House, where local MP John Grogan formally opened the month long exhibition – “50 years of the Dales Way”.

The free exhibition runs throughout August at the weekends.

A great day was enjoyed by all. Special thanks go to the team of volunteer stewards from the Dales Way Association, Friends of DalesBus, Friends of the Dales and Friends of A Dales High Way, who all helped ensure the day passed without incident.

See the Ilkley Gazette report here.