Hebden Bridge
The focal point for all our events with its many years of history, amazing scenery and the warmest of welcomes, we know you will love these events as much as we do.
Calderdale Way Ultra
Date: May 1st 2027
Distance: 30mi or 50mi
Entry: From £45
A much-loved classic race around the Calderdale Way, taking in rugged moorland, bluebell-filled woods, working farmland, and the odd historic monument here and there, with two distances to choose from. The CWU has been run on the current route by She Strides since 2023, and was run by Cannonball Events on a slightly different course for many years before that. The old route started and ended in Todmorden, the new one in Heptonstall - the climbs are all the same, they’re just in slightly different places!
50-mile Ultra
You’ll set off from Heptonstall in the early morning and make straight for the woodland of Hardcastle Crags, before taking in the views of upper Calderdale from MIdgley Moor, climbing up to Wainstalls, cruising along the canal at Brighouse, enjoying the beauty of Norland Moor and the ruggedness of Soyland Moor, before seeing Todmorden twice in quick succession and finally climbing back to Heptonstall for a well-earned meal.
You have 17 hours to get back to Heptonstall for hot food and a bar.
We have two non-negotiable cut-offs: Withens Clough at 7pm and Great Rock at 11pm.
Should you miss either of these you will be asked to hand over your tracker and return to HQ by the quickest safest route. Should you insist on continuing along the course you will be out of the race and unsupported at that point.
30-mile Ultra
Starting at Brookfoot Lock, Brighouse, you are immediately faced with the climb through the bluebells to Southowram, before North Dean Woods, Norland and Soyland Moors, and the rest of the Calderdale Way through to Heptonstall. You get the same big climbs at the end of the course, and it’s still a 30 miles not to be sniffed at!
You have 10 hours to get to Heptonstall.
Mandatory kit must be carried at all times.
All youth entries are £20 for anyone under the age of 23.
Be sure to make the most of the 6 vegan-friendly aid stations, particularly the 6th one in Todmorden, situated between two big climbs we affectionately refer to as little bastard and big bastard. (if you know, you know).
Registration
At Heptonstall Bowling Club HX7 7LT - either Friday evening 6pm-8pm or Saturday morning 6am-7am.
The 30-mile event has the option to register at Heptonstall & get the bus to the start, or register at the start in Brighouse (HD6 7LT) on Saturday morning (8.40-9.00). Bus to the start is bookable on entry.
Baggage storage at registration. Bag drop at CP5 on the 50-mile event.
Medal for all finishers. Open to all.
Course records (since 2023):
50 miles:
Women: Ambi Swindells - 10:16:11 (2025)
Men: Kole Broadfoot-Cox - 8:40:25 (2026)
30 miles:
Women: Sarah Cumber - 5:24:55 (2026)
Men: Fraser Macdonald Oulds - 3:48:43 (2025)
Course records (pre 2023):
50 miles:
Women: Jenny Brown - 9:34:50 (2016)
Men: Kevin Hoult - 7:57:54 (2018)
28 miles:
Women: Cat Jessop - 4:32:14 (2017)
Men: Chris Holdsworth - 3:53:22 (2015)
Extra information
Bag drop- 50-mile runners can leave one bag at registration to be taken to cp4 at 35 miles
support you are not permitted to have supporters at the checkpoints, these are often in remote areas and parking is limited.
pacers you are not permitted to use pacers for this event.
cut offs there are two cut offs on th e 50 miler, you must reach Withens Clough by 7pm, then Great Rock by 11pm. shoud you miss either of these cut offs you must return to HQ by the quickest, safest route, without continuing on the course. should you decide to continue along the route, you do so unsupported and are no longer part of the race, therefore there will be no feed stations available and your tracker will be removed.
parking there is ample parking at the club but please car share where possible, this is a residential area and residents do park outside their homes. there is a campsite at the top of the village,
food there will be ample food at checkpoints but you must carry supplies with you on the course. should you have specific dietary requirements you can have a bag taken to the checkpoints for you.
map you must carry the relevant maps or print off the route from the website
we have printed maps available at registration for £2.50
finish hot food and a bar are available at the finish line, along with a bespoke medal.
prize giving
Top 3 male and female for both distances will be presented with a unique trophy and prize.
checkpoints
water station - Jerusalem farm car park HX2 6XB
feed station - Cowling lane HX3 7HD
Feed station - Brookfoot Lock HD6 2RW
Feed station - Ripponden HX4 0DG
Feed station - Withens clough HX7 5TD
Feed station - Todmorden OL14 7DF
Water station - Great Rock HX7 7HN
Finish Bowling club HX7 7LT
all checkpoints have sanitary products, please ask. (they are also in HQ toilets)
Registration address
Heptonstall St Thomas The Apostle Church
Church Lane
HX7 7NT
