Heights Ultra Trail
Next Race: 06/09/2025
Colne Valley High School Gillroyd Lane, Linthwaite Huddersfield, HD7 5SP
Next Race: 06/09/2025
Colne Valley High School Gillroyd Lane, Linthwaite Huddersfield, HD7 5SP
It is our aim to make this a truly memorable experience for you as an ultra runner as possible. We want to make this journey a day which will leave you with lasting memories which you will want to repeat and we have tried to create a route which will do just that. Wonderful trails, open moorland, incredible vistas.
This is an circular route where competitors will pass through various checkpoints in order to complete the full course. The full route will be waymarked, taped or flagged. This event is inclusive and open to all including LDWA. All participants must be aged 20 or over at the point of entry. The HUT race is run under UKA/TRA rules.
The event will start and finish at Colne Valley High School, Gillroyd Lane, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5SP
There should be plenty of parking at the event centre but we would also wish to appeal for volunteers, families and competitors to car share where possible.
The event address and main car park is can be found at HD7 5SP (Gillroyd Lane entrance) in the likelihood that this car park is full you will be directed to further car parking which can be found at the entrance on Church Lane HD7 5TA.
At Colne Valley High School. 50 Mile Registration is open from 06:00am to 6:45am (prompt closing) on the Saturday morning.
RACE START for the 50 mile is at 7am from Colne Valley High School. It is our intention to start on time so please expect a prompt start unless for reasons out of our control. This event is inclusive and open to all including hikers & LDWA and those not wishing to compete.
The HUT50 Mile Ultra race fee includes:
3 well-stocked feed stations, two of which will be inside
There will be additional water stations only at Holme Moss Car park and Standege Cutting Car park.
Professionally organised event
Live event timing with the world leading GPS tacking company
Full colour waterproof map of the HUT route
Plenty of marshals at feed station checkpoints to help and assist participants where possible.
The attendance of Rescue Teams at various locations and many First Aid trained helpers.
Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Age category awards: V40/V50/V60/V70 male & female.
If you are going to take part in an ultra event and cover 50 miles on foot, then you’ll need to ensure that you are fuelled correctly to maintain energy. Whilst individuals are responsible for ensuring that they have what they need to get them to the feed stations we can guarantee that there will be plenty of food available should you require a top up or something extra to help you on your way.
From our own experience, the sight of a well-stocked feed station is itself an assuring motivator and instils confidence of a well organised event. You can expect that treatment at the HUT and we don’t intend to be reserved with the amount of food that we make available. It is also our intention that any surplus perishable foods will be donated to a local foodbank so you can expect that there will be something for you especially if you are treating the event less competitively than others.
Please do let us know if you are gluten free, vegan or have any other diets. If you are able to do this, then we can plan and cater appropriately for all situations. If there is a food item that we don’t provide and it is key to your race, you either need to carry it or consider not entering this event.
A quick summary of food you can expect to be available at each feed station
Holme Village – Food – Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit, Cakes, Crisps, Sweets, squash & coke.
Wessenden Head (Marquee) – Food – Something high carb based, Creamed Rice, Fresh Fruit, Cakes, Savoury snacks, Sweets, hot drinks (subject to availability), a nip of something stronger, squash and coke.
Clough Head J & l School – Food – Hot Soup, Baguettes, Fresh & Tinned fruit, Savoury snacks, Cakes, Sweets, hot drinks, a nip of something stronger, squash and coke.
There will be plenty of food and drinks available at The event Centre throughout the day for everyone including any supporters waiting to see friends and family members.
Yes, we will be imposing a cut off if only for the safety of both those taking part and for our army of volunteers also. These cut offs are however very generous and for the 2 Ultra events they are based on an average of just 6km/hr for both routes. Please see the cut offs below, it is therefore possible to complete the longer route by a maintaining a good walking march. If you jog the downs and the flat and walk the up’s for both events then you will be fine. If you would like to hike the event there is an option to start earlier. This event is inclusive and open to all including hikers & LDWA and those not wishing to compete, there will be an option to commence at 7am if requested.
Cut offs also assume no more than 30 mins at each feed station.
You must have left the feed stations by the following times:
Holme J&I School @ 15k – 11.00am
Wessenden Head Trail @ 33k– 15.00 hrs
Clough Head J&I School @ 61k– 20.00hrs
Finish Colne Valley High School – 23.59.59 hrs 80.5k/50 mile
It is our intention to waymark the full course where possible and to aid runners through certain sections in particular although a small section is on open moorland and will not be waymarked and, although none of the route is without a trail to follow, those with some map and navigation skills may benefit. We don’t object to the use of GPS units as back up, however, GPS should not be your sole means of navigation for this event
Whilst the race is in August/September you should never take the weather for granted especially over high moorland and although unlikely and we would never say never to cancelling the race in extraordinary circumstances either. Whilst there is no guarantee with regard to the weather, participants should also take necessary precautions to stay well hydrated should the sun be shining also. Runners are expected to have the appropriate skills and equipment for safe travel and covering 50 miles on foot, you have plenty of time!
There are no planned and official route recces for 2024, but watch out on social networks as we may run some impromptu recce days if there is enough interest.
As each runner will have live tracking there will be no official tail runners for 2024. Instead we will have strategically placed HUT supporters who can respond and get to you relatively quickly if support is required.
We have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube which we recommend you join to find out what other HUT runners are up to.
Note that this is the minimum kit list regardless of the weather and you may wish to carry more. Most runners will complete during daylight hours, however a torch/headlight must still be carried. The course is fair and runnable, however, it is still a tough long run over some technical ground and open moorland. (There are no exceptions to this kit list)
Waterproof jacket with a hood. This means that one with a waterproof membrane and taped seams.
Waterproof trousers – as above
Long sleeve top
Hat (not just a buff) and gloves
Colour waterproof map (Included in entry fee)
If you looking for something to drink, then you must carry a device, preferably a MUG that can take at least 200ml and not fall apart or damage the user.
Compass and whistle
Head/Hand torch and spare batteries (or spare torch)
Bivy bag (a foil blanket is not sufficient)
Mobile phone, must not to be used for navigation or have GPS enabled (e.g. strava, mapping tools unless you wish to carry a spare phone for emergency use). You will need to have download the ‘what3words’ app.
Money that rattles and/or folds (not just a credit/debit card)
We would expect entrants to use common sense. Whilst this is a run/walk expected to completed in reasonable weather conditions and mostly in daylight this is still a long day out and on some technical terrain, across moorland and on parts of the Pennine Way. Kit inspections will be random but expect to be ridiculed and asked to leave the event if you are on the start line like you are starting a parkrun. If the weather is bad then pack extra kit.
We currently offer a full deferral facility up to 3 months before the event. Entrants wishing to defer must inform us via email.
Entrants wishing to withdraw must inform us by email. Entry fees will be refunded as follows; up to 60 days prior to the race - 75% refund. Up to 30 days prior to the race date - 50% refund. After 30 days prior to the race - no refund. All refunds are subject to a small Racebest administration fee.
Due to the nature of sports events we are unable to make exceptions for injuries, illness or pregnancy.
Date of withdrawal is date of the email to the Event Organiser requesting the withdrawal. Telephone or Facebook messages are not acceptable.
If the event is cancelled for reasons beyond the organiser’s control, (e.g. adverse weather conditions, major incident etc.) the organisers will make every reasonable attempt to reschedule the event. Original entrants will have their entry automatically transferred unless they advise us that they do not wish to transfer to the rescheduled event in writing (email to info.hut@heightsfed.uk) within 7 days of the original event date.
Changes to entry details, and transfer of the entry to other HUT events may be possible with the permission of the organiser. There will be a small admin fee for this service, payable in advance.
In the event of cancellation by the organiser, original entrants may, at the sole discretion of the HUT be offered the option to defer their entry or awarded a full refund subject to a Racebest administration fee.
No refunds will be granted after one month has passed from the event date.