Leeds Country Way Winter Ultras
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Event Overview
The Leeds Country Way Winter Ultras is a two-day, consecutive ultra-marathon event that follows the Leeds Country Way footpath circumnavigating Leeds. It consists of two point-to-point races.
Distances and Route
The event offers two separate distances run on consecutive days:
- Ultra South - Day One: Approximately 59 km (~36 miles) with ~800 m of elevation. The route runs clockwise from Garforth (Miners Welfare Hall) to Greengates (St John's Community Church), passing through numerous towns and nature reserves.
- Ultra North - Day Two: Approximately 43 km (~27 miles) with ~650 m of elevation. The route runs clockwise from Greengates back to Garforth.
Together, the two days cover the full, popular 100km Leeds Country Way circuit, which is mainly rural despite its proximity to Leeds city centre.
Event Details
The terrain is footpath and trail. There is an entry limit of 150 participants and a minimum age of 20. Entry requires participants to have completed at least one marathon or ultra-marathon within the previous four years.
The course is not marked and requires self-navigation, though the Leeds Country Way path is indicated with green plates featuring a yellow owl icon. GPX files are provided. Two start times are offered each day, with an early start available for runners expecting longer finish times. There is a course closure time of 18:00 each day (a 9-10 hour limit). A cut-off point exists at approximately the halfway mark each day.
Participant Support and Kit
The event provides a hot meal at the end of each day, bag transfer to the finish, drop bag transfer to the halfway point, hot drinks at the start, halfway, and finish, a wooden finisher's medal, and a finisher's poster.
There are several manned checkpoints and aid stations offering basic food and drink, including an indoor aid station near the halfway point. The route also passes local shops and pubs.
A comprehensive mandatory kit list must be carried by each runner, including items like a hat, gloves, waterproof jacket, headtorch, whistle, map, survival bag, and a minimum of 500ml of fluid. Pacers are allowed but cannot accompany runners at the start or finish lines. Crew support is permitted with specific parking guidelines.
Logistics
The start and finish venues in Garforth and Greengates are indoor locations with toilets and access to hot drinks. Both locations are accessible by public transport, within a 15-minute walk of train stations (Garforth and Apperley Bridge). Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
