Info: New entries for this event closed on Wednesday 6th March 2024.
Ultra 50 Miles | £90.00 | |
Ultra 34 Miles | £70.00 | |
20 Miles | £38.00 | |
Half Marathon | £32.50 |
This trail race largely follows the Welcome Way, a circular trail through moorland landscapes, alongside rivers, canals and reservoirs, across farmland and through woodland. High points include Otley Chevin and Burley and Baildon moors. Half marathon to ultramarathon distances.
Entries have now closed for this event - we are now accepting late entries but cannot guaranetee T-Shirts or medals for late entrants as these have already been ordered
PLEASE NOTE - WE DO NOT ACCEPT ENTRIES ON THE DAY
Distances: 13/20/34/50 Miles
Climb: 2200/2400/4300/6000 Feet
ITRA Points: 1/1/2/3
UTMB: Q20K/Q20K/Q50K/Q50K
Race Series: Race 3 of 9 (1 of 6 in the 50 mile series)
Maximum Entrants: 200
Event Closes: 21:30
Car Park: Opens 06:00. Craftsman Tools Car Park (owned by William Sinclair Stationers in Otley – both have kindly allowed us to use it for the race). It is located at the end of Bremner Street off the A659 Pool Road LS21 1JD. ///judges.puncture.sofa.
Registration: is 5 minutes away from the car park at Otley Methodist Church, Rear Entrance, Walkergate, Otley, LS21 1HB and opens at 06:00 and closes at 08.15 ///hippy.original.monorail
Ultramarathon: 06:30 to 07:15
20 Mile Race: 07:15 to 07:45
Half Marathon: 07:45 to 08:15
Please ensure that you register in your time window and not before
No Dogs are allowed inside the Church
Trackers: All ultramarathon entrants will be supplied with a tracker. Trail race (half marathon and 20 mile) runners can hire a tracker when entering for £15. When you collect your tracker at registration it will already switched on and you will be given instructions on where to carry it. During the race the tracker will show on the Welcome Way 2024 Tracker Screen You can share this link with your friends and family so they can see how you are doing. If you click the podium icon on the tracker screen it will show you each runners ETA at the CPs and their projected finish time based on their current speed. Please note there is a big button on the front of your tracker, if you need emergency help, provided the tracker is in range press it and remain where you are, this ends your race.
Route: Provisional GPX files of the route and route description are available from the GPX tab on the website. The final version will be emailed to all competitors with the Final Race Instructions the week before the event. You MUST use the email version as this will take into account any last minute diversions.
Taping: We will tape/flag/sign all routes except the 50 mile route the week before the race, however tape can be moved or stolen, so please do not rely solely on it for navigation, but as confirmation of the route. Much of the route follows the Welcome Way waymarked trail.
Kit list: We will not be doing a kit check at registration, but you will be expected to always carry the following as a minimum for your safety. (You are responsible for your own safety). We will be carrying out random kit checks on the course and if you are found not carrying your full kit, you will be disqualified.
*** THIS KIT LIST APPLIES TO ALL DISTANCES ***
NB: Dependent on the weather this list may be amended when the final competitor instructions are sent out.
Start: (From Wharfemeadows Park – 10-minute walk from Registration):
There will be a race brief for each race 5 minutes before the start.
Ultramarathon: 07:30
20 Mile Race: 08:00
Half Marathon: 08:30
Checkpoints: Each checkpoint will have water, coke, energy bars and crisps.
If you reach a CP after the closing time you will be timed out and have to retire.
CP1 and CP2 are on all courses.
CP1: Denton (8 miles) Open 08:30 Close 11:00 (7 miles on the Half marathon course)
CP2: Burley (14 miles) Open 09:00 Close 12:00 *** DRINK STATION ONLY *** (12 miles on the Half marathon course)
CP3, CP4 and CP5 are only on the Ultramarathon courses
CP3: Shipley Glen (20/28 miles) Open 10:45 Close 15:30 (If you are doing the 50 mile course and do not get to CP3 by 13:00 you will be dropped down to the 34 mile course) ///warrior.mandolin.sugar
CP4: The Chevin (29/37 miles) Open 12:30 Close 18:00 ///stretcher.misty.straddled
CP5: Arthington Village Hall (44 miles) Open 14:45 Close 20:00 (50 mile course only) ///strutting.vertical.myth
Finish: Otley Methodist Church (34/50 miles) , Rear Entrance, Walkergate, Otley, LS21 1HB ///hippy.original.monorail Open 09:30 Close 21:30
Cut - Offs: If you arrive at a CP after it is closed you will be retired from the race.
Drop Bags: 50 Mile course only. You may leave a non-returnable drop bag at registration which will be transferred to CP3. It must be no larger than a carrier bag and should be clearly labelled with your name.
Support Crews: Please ensure any support crews avoid official CPs. Anyone breaking this rule will result in their runner being disqualified. If you have a support crew there are plenty of other places to meet you on the route.
Finish: Every finisher receives a medal and an event T-Shirt (unless you opt out). There is home made pie, cheese toasties, 10 bean chilli, (suitable for vegan and Gluten Free) in addition to hot drinks and snacks at the finish.
Final Competitor instructions: These will be emailed to all competitors the week before the event.
Results: Previous results can be found here: Welcome Way Results and will be updated during the event.
Course Records: can be found here (please note courses may vary from year to year): Course Records
For up-to-date information and chat about all our events please join this Facebook Group.
View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.
View the Event Cancellation / Refund Policy.
This event offers the option to purchase XCover, so that participants may be able to get a refund if they are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
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