Kettlewell Anniversary Fell Race 2026

Kettlewell Anniversary Fell Race. 8 km/5.1 miles; 554m/1800’ AS category, 19:30 Thursday 4th June 2026.

This is an ‘AS’ category race, run under the rules of the Fell Runners’ Association (FRA).  Runners must be 18 or over on the day of the race.
All proceeds to Upper Wharfedale Mountain Rescue Team and North Leeds Fell Runners.

Final race details TBC

Travel: The race location is Kettlewell, Middle Lane Skipton BD23 5QX (village hall).

Parking: There are car parks available in Kettlewell either side of the bridge as you enter the village. The race start is located just before the gate at the base of the field at the base of the crag.

Registration: Time TBC. Number collection will be in Kettlewell village hall, approx 250m from the parking field in the main village and will be signed. Please take care of traffic through the village – particularly over the bridges where there are no pavements. There will be safety pins available.

Toilets: There are male and female toilets both in the village hall and the National Park facilities block in the main public car park. Be respectful of other users and leave them as you would like to find them.

Kit: Please bring full FRA kit in case the weather is bad. An assessment will be made on the day to confirm any mandatory kit requirements (random kit checks will be made before the start if this is the case).

There are no showers. Kit bags can be left in the village hall at your own risk, but space is limited, so if possible please leave them in your vehicles.

Race Route including main hazards: A map of the race route can be found on the Kettlewell Anniversary page of the North Leeds Fell Runners website: https://nlfr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Kettlewell_RaceMap-1-1024×724-1.png. A limited number of these maps professionally printed on waterproof paper will be available at registration for £2 (proceeds to Mountain Rescue, please bring correct change).

The race will start just before the gate at the base of the crag. After a short run up a track, there is an initial steep climb to a short scramble through a narrow rock chimney – please avoid pushing and shoving. There may be a short bottleneck here, but there is plenty of opportunity to overtake later, so plan your race strategy accordingly.

There are three wall crossings with stiles on the first climb: one approximately half way up and two at the top. There will be three stiles over the first crossing and two at each of the top crossings. We hope that this will minimise any queues, but please be patient and do not climb the dry-stone walls as this could jeopardise the race future. Anyone climbing the walls will be disqualified.

The route down to Arncliffe is mostly grassy and fast. There are occasionally rocky patches of limestone and many rabbit holes. There is also a kissing gate towards the bottom of the descent.

There is one unmarshalled gate at the top of the second climb. All other gates will be marshalled to ensure no escape of sheep.

Retirements: If you are unable to finish the race, you must inform the nearest marshal and show them your race number.

First Aid: First aid will be in parking field and a mobile first aider will be out on the course near Arncliffe at the bottom of the second climb.

The nearest hospital with an A&E is Airedale General Hospital in Steeton (BD20 6TD) which is approximately 40mins drive by car.

Results: ‘Live’ results will be available on Racebest in the days following the race.

Final results will be available on the North Leeds Fell Runners Website and usual locations after the race as soon as is possible.

Prizes: Prize Giving will be in the village hall, time TBC. Prize vouchers have been kindly donated by OMM. Categories will be as usual for English Championship races.

The RO is a pest controller and a traditional feature of this race is the chasing of a rat runner for an extra prize. A runner will set off a little earlier and the first to catch them may choose to take the rat from them and carry with you to present this to the RO at the finish for a prize. There is no obligation to take the rat for those competing for category prizes.

Refreshments: There is no water station on route. Please bring your own if you require it. Water and paper cups will be available at the finish.

Tea, coffee and cakes will be available in the village hall. No set charge, but all donations will be collected for Mountain Rescue. There are several pubs and cafes in the village.

Supporters: Supporters are always welcome but are asked not to obstruct the race route and (a special request from the farmers) not to sit or climb the stone walls.  All dogs must be on a lead at all times in the race field and out on the course.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the day.

Previous Results

2025 RESULTS
2024 RESULTS
2023 RESULTS
2022 RESULTS
2021 RESULTS
2019 RESULTS
2018 RESULTS
2017 RESULTS
2016 RESULTS
2015 RESULTS