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Punk Panther Christmas Cracker

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Saturday 13th December 2025

Entries Open
Friday 19th July 2024 at 18:00
Entries Close
Sunday 30th November 2025
Entry Fees
18 Miles   £35.00   
    £38.00   (from 31/12/2024)
Ultra 32 Miles   £55.00   
    £70.00   (from 31/12/2024)
Contact
Race Director - Ryk Downes
Phone
07950008005

To enter you must first Log In or Register your Details with SiEntries.

Set on a mystery route that can change every year, Catch the Panther sees the slowest runners start first with subsequent starting positions based on the participants ' average pace in other Punk Panther races. The person who starts first is the person with the slowest average pace – can they be caught before they reach Otley? As well as race prizes there are awards for fancy dress.

There is also the "Half Ultra"  for those wanting to take part in a shorter but still brilliant race.

Distance: 18/32 mile
Climb:  2200/3400 feet
ITRA Points: 1/2
UTMB: Q20K/Q50K
Race Series: No
Maximum Entrants: 100
Event Closes: 19:30

Car Park: Opens 05:45 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

Toilets:
At Registration

Registration: Otley Methodist Church, Rear Entrance, Walkergate, Otley, LS21 1HB. ///hippy.original.monorail

06:00 to 06:45 Ultramarathon
06:45 to 07:15 20 Mile Trail Race 
07:15 to 07:45 Half Marathon
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 (18 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 Christmas Cracker 2025 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 event page on the Punk Panther 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 NOT be marking this event.

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 ***      

  • Suitable Bag for all your kit (not a carrier bag!) 
  • Waterproof Jacket with taped seams.
  • Enough fluids to get you to the next CP.
  • Cup to enable you to get drinks at CPs.
  • Energy Bar/Nutrition.
  • Survival/Bivvy Bag (not just a sheet).
  • Whistle.
  • Mobile phone with race director’s number: Mark 07702 021156 Ryk (07950 008005) stored in it. 
    PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PHONE ON AT ALL TIMES SO THAT WE CAN CONTACT YOU IF NECESSARY.
  • Tracker for Ultramarathon (supplied by us) MUST be always worn.
  • Hat/buff.
  • Gloves.
  • Personal First Aid Kit.
  • Hard copy of the Map/Route description (Details will be sent with final competitor instructions see below)
  • Head Torch

NB: Dependent on the weather this list may be amended when the final competitor instructions are sent out.

Start: Otley Methodist Church, Rear Entrance, Walkergate, Otley, LS21 1HB. ///hippy.original.monorail
From 06:00 onwards (depending on handicap - your handicap will be available from 14/11/23).

Checkpoints: Each checkpoint has a selection of items including water, coke, fanta, energy bars, snacks, crisps & more. There are vegan options at all checkpoints.

There are three Checkpoints in total for the race.

The 32 mile route visits CP1, CP2, CP1 (again) & CP3.
The 18 mile route visits CP1 & CP3 only.

Cut - Offs: If you arrive at a CP after it is closed you will be retired from the race.

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. This is due to a lack of space that we need for our marshals and medic.
‍‍
32 Mile Ultra Marathon Checkpoints (Opening times will be confirmed with the start list)
CP1: Timble 9 miles Open 09:00 ///showering.crazy.snack
CP2: Langbar 15.5 miles Open 10:30 Cut Off 14:30 ///investors.repeated.soon
CP1: Timble 22.5 miles Open 09:00 Cut Off 15:30 ///showering.crazy.snack
CP4: Lindley Bridge 28 miles Open 12:30 Cut Off 16:30 ///slate.overpaid.worksheet
Finish: Otley Methodist Church, Rear Entrance, Walkergate, Otley, LS21 1HB. ///hippy.original.monorail 

18 Mile Trail Race Checkpoints (Opening times will be confirmed with the start list)
CP1: Timble 9 miles Open 12:30 Cut Off 15:30 ///showering.crazy.snack
CP4: Lindley Bridge 14 miles Open 12:30 Cut Off 16:30 ///slate.overpaid.worksheet
Finish: Otley Methodist Church, Rear Entrance, Walkergate, Otley, LS21 1HB. ///hippy.original.monorail

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 carrot and coriander soup, cheese toasties, 10 bean chilli, (suitable for vegan and Gluten Free) in addition to hot drinks, snacks & mince pies at the finish.
PLEASE NOTE DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE FINISH IN THE CLUBHOUSE.

Final Competitor instructions: These will be emailed to all competitors the week before the event.

Results: Previous results can be found here: Christmas Cracker 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.

Other Punk Panther events

Sat 16 Nov 24 Punk Panther Wharfedale Skyline Trail
Sat 7 Dec 24 Punk Panther Christmas Cracker
Sat 18 Jan 25 Punk Panther Green Gateways
Sat 8 Feb 25 Punk Panther Harrogate Hustle
Sat 15 Mar 25 Punk Panther Welcome Way
Sat 12 Apr 25 Punk Panther Ripon Stinger
Sat 17 May 25 Punk Panther Skipton Skedaddle
Sat 14 Jun 25 Punk Panther Otley High Views
Sat 28 Jun 25 Punk Panther Ultra Unique
Sat 19 Jul 25 Nidderdale Festival Midnight Marathon
Sat 19 Jul 25 Nidderdale Weekend Festival Saturday
Sun 20 Jul 25 Nidderdale Weekend Festival Sunday
Sat 16 Aug 25 Punk Panther 6 Dales Trail
Sat 30 Aug 25 Punk Panther Takes the Hindmost
Sat 27 Sep 25 Punk Panther Yorkshire Reservoir Dogs
Sat 18 Oct 25 Punk Panther Dales Dazzler
Sat 15 Nov 25 Punk Panther Wharfedale Skyline

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