The Stoop
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Event
The Stoop is a late-December fell race organised by Wharfedale Harriers at Penistone Hill Country Park near Haworth, West Yorkshire. The senior race is part of the Woodentops Race Series alongside Withins Skyline and Stanbury Splash, and chip timing is used for the series. Distances are listed in different places as:
- 4.9 mile, 700 ft
- 8 km, 250 m
The event is for over-16s only. Entry fees are listed as £9 for online entry and £10 for entry on the day. Teams of three are eligible for free team scoring. All entrants receive a Santa hat and a Curly Wurly; complimentary coffee and biscuits are provided.
Course, entry and facilities
The route starts from the quarry bottom at Penistone Hill and goes past Drop Farm, then follows a path to Harbour Lodge. Runners cross a beck via a footbridge (use the right-hand footbridge at the side of Harbour Lodge; the left-hand one is unsafe), follow the edge of Harbour Lodge, then climb through heather to the Standing Stone (the Stoop). The return route runs down through boggy ground to rejoin the initial track, crosses the road and finishes on the cricket pitch. Race headquarters are at the cricket hut on Penistone Hill Country Park.
Facilities listed include toilets only. There are no water stations, distance markers, changing rooms, showers or baggage storage. Prize giving is held outside the cricket hut after the race; prizes include placings for first 10 men and women, age-category vet prizes, U21 prizes, spot prizes and team prizes. Prize list may be reduced if under 200 senior entrants. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.