Leeds Country Way Winter Ultras Runner Info
Welcome to the first ever Leeds Country Way Winter Ultras - This is the first time we have ever held this event and are really looking forward to seeing you. Please read all the following information to help make the event run as smoothly as possible. We aim to learn as much from this experience as we can in order to make future races run smoothly so we really appreciate your feedback and trust in entering this inaugural beast.
ROUTE MAPS GPX
UPDATED 3/12/24 Please use these GPX Routes - HERE
REGISTRATION
Assigned Race Numbers
DAY ONE (Garforth)
Registration should be a simple process at the Miner’s Welfare Hall. Our toilets are open and I believe Costa Coffee down the road is also open. We will arrive shortly before 7am to be ready for the slower runners to register between 7am and 8am - we will then pause registration for a short while to see off the first wave, then continue registration til 9am. There are around 50 runners total on Saturday.
Visit the registration to pick up your race number (please keep the same number for both days if doing both days.)
Hand over your checkpoint 3 dropbag to the designated area
put your post race kit bag in the van.
Start 8am and 9am - The 8 o'clock start time is reserved for the slower runners only. This is optional.
Checkpoint 1 OPENS at 9:15 and is at 12km
Any fast runners starting at 8am will arrive to our checkpoints long before our volunteers are ready for you, so if that’s you please start at 9am.
DAY TWO (FARSLEY)
Registration will be in the bar at the Nest - Farsley Celtic. Our toilets are open. We will arrive shortly before 7am to be ready for the slower runners to register between 7am and 8am - we will then pause registration for a short while to see off the first wave, then continue registration til 9am. There are around 55 runners total on Sunday, but only 14 will need to register. Any runners running on their second day will not need to register, just arrive and drop your bags.
Visit the registration to pick up your race number (skip if on day 2)
Hand over your checkpoint 3 dropbag to the designated area
put your post race kit bag in the van.
Start 8am and 9am - The 8 o'clock start time is reserved for the slower runners only. This is optional.
Checkpoint 1 OPENS at 9:15 and is at 13km
Any fast runners starting at 8am will arrive to our checkpoints long before our volunteers are ready for you, so if that’s you please start at 9am.
DROP BAGS / FINISH BAGS
Please label your bags clearly with your race number (listed above)
Drop bag will go to Checkpoint 3 - these will be returned once the checkpoint is closed and will come back with the marshals, if you need to leave early, use a non returnable bag.
Finish Bags will go straight to the finish, please hold on to them until the start of the race and we will open up the van just before at the start of the race outside the registration area.
THE COURSE
Navigation
Note - I heavily urge all runners to make sure they have a gpx file or route map - this race will not be possible to complete just following the markers.
There are some slight differences in the gpx files, however they both will get you round the course successfully.
Over the last few months there have been reports from recces about farmers ploughing away footpaths, overgrown sections (in summer), some sections may require a bit of detouring due to some large puddles.
Leeds Country Way Winter Ultras will not be marked and require self navigation - However The Leeds Country Way is a well trodden footpath itself and is marked with green plates with a yellow owl icon. Any deviations from the footpath will be signposted.
The GPX files are available for runners.
The Leeds Country Way uses OS Explorer Map 289
It is ultimately the runners responsibility to navigate the course successfully.
Recces are recommended.
CHECKPOINTS
checking in at checkpoints
PLEASE make sure you physically check in at each checkpoint by letting the marshal see your number. All the checkpoints at on the race route except CP3 Woodkirk and CP3 Barwick which require a slight detour, these will be marked both with signage and on the gpx files.
CHECKPOINT 3 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO HERE
A brief description of each checkpoint location detailed below.
Note: if its absolutely belting it down our marshals might be sat in their cars :)
TOO EARLY? We have calculated that it should be fairly unlikely that anyone will miss a checkpoint, but if it does happen and you arrive before our marshals, or you didn’t see them, please send a brief WhatsApp message to runners group stating ‘YOUR NUMBER’ arrived at ‘CPNUM’ (or send vid). Runners What’s App Group HERE
CHeckpoint Locations
WHAT THREE WORDS
SATURDAY
GARFORTH MINERS WELFARE HALL - ///roost.crispy.dramatic
CP 1 METHLEY - ///output.grapevine.grub
Cricket Club car park, just off the path.
CP 2 GARDENERS ARM’S LOFTHOUSE - ///sudden.scrap.risks
Pub Car Park - you must cross over the road to access car park
CP 3 WOODKIRK VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB - ///times.decks.relax
Turn right when you come out of the graveyard to the main road, it’s 400 metres down the road on the right, to rejoin course cross road and access carpark opposite the church.
CP 4 VALLEY INN - ///type.files.panel
Pub car park round the back of the pub.
CP 5 FOX & GRAPES - ///natively.pipe.fantastic
Pub car park round the back of the pub. Marshals may be out the front if they are feeling nice.
SUNDAY
CP 1 HORSFORTH - ///baking.nodded.broom
As you emerge from the narrow path
CP 2 GOLDEN ACRE PARK - ///films.scarcely.weedy
In main car park just before the bridge that goes under the main road.
CP 3 BARDSEY CALLISTER HALL - ///hobbyists.perusing.magnitude
Go past church gatehouse and turn left up next road, return to same gatehouse to re-join footpath.
CP 4 GASCOIGNE ARMS, BARWICK IN ELMET - ///clashes.twinkled.nitrate
Pub car park, sheltered decking area near back door, you will see from road.
KIT
Please adhere to the mandatory kit list on main race page. By entering this race you are entering a mutual agreement to adhere to the kit list. We will not be providing a kit check at registration but may do in the future if forced to by multiple breaches of this agreement.
rules updates
Any rules updates override any existing info on the main race page.
crew
Crew is now fully allowed at anywhere on the course provided all road safety precautions are met. see crew info below.
THERE ARE A FEW EXCEPTIONS - SEE BELOW…
Feel free to make any plans you want with your crew. We will likely revise this rules in future events but for now we are interested in seeking out popular spots to make official for the future.
PACERS
Pacers / Safety Runners are welcome. Pacers must not carry any of your kit.
DNF / Dropping out
If you need to retire from the race please let us know by texting the number on your race number or messaging the WhatsApp group.
We are NOT providing lifts to retired runners, please organise your own transport / taxi etc. If there is bad weather and you DNF you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a local pub or shop you can escape to.
On that note if anyone has a friend or partner who might want to do a bit of “DNF express” service let us know before the weekend. We may look into an official version of this in future but alas cannot currently provide this year.
If you arrive at a checkpoint and need to drop out you might be able to get a lift with them but understand their priority is their checkpoint, and you may need to wait until all runners are passed.
PARKING
Garforth
Nearest car parks are Main Street and Barley Hill Road - Free (best to double check)
Farsley
Farsley Celtic has a huge free car park and is open all weekend.
THE FINISH
Farsley - The finish is located in THE NEST BAR - simply run into the bar and our timers will be sat opposite the door.
Garforth - The finish will be in the main hall straight through the front doors.
WHATSAPP group for runners
Runners What’s App Group HERE
Share Info, Photos, Lift shares etc
Before asking any questions please check here first!
info for crews
If you have a crew it is with the upmost importance you share this information with them.
PUBS
We have a number of checkpoints that are pubs, if you have come to support your runner at a pub and wish to park, please consider buying something, a mass of cars turning up without financial gain for the establishment may negatively affect our relationship and potential future events.
CP3 WOODKIRK (Saturday)
Crews are welcome to park at Woodkirk Country Club and get involved, the marshals will appreciate any help there.
CP3 BARDSEY (Sunday)
CP3 Bardsey is at Callister Hall (not Bardsey Village Hall!) There is a free carpark about 200m further up the road, please use this one and pop down on foot to meet your runner at the Callister Hall.
