Get your running boots on for the Wold Rangers Way Ultra marathon

Driffield and the Wolds will be welcoming elite runners from across the country as it hosts its first ultra-marathon following the route of the Wold Rangers Way.

The Wold Rangers Way Ultra will take place on Saturday 23rd April and will see up to 60 athletes take part in the 43.5-mile route through the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds starting and finishing in Driffield.

This is the first ultra-marathon staged by Ultra Trails organised by long distance runner Grant Smalley and his partner Mel, from Stamford Bridge.

Grant, who ran his first ultra-marathon in 2013, told the Wolds Weekly: “When the Wold Rangers Way was launched last year, we thought it presented an ideal opportunity for such an event.

“We will be starting and finishing at the Community Centre in Driffield and the route will follow the Wold Rangers Way in its entirety.

“The circular route features undulating landscape which is challenging but not technical, so this will be ideal whether it is your first ultra-marathon or if you are an experienced runner looking for a fast time.

“We are very keen to promote businesses in the local community and we would be happy to hear from businesses who don’t mind muddy feet, who we can promote to our participants and their supporters.”

All finishers of the Wold Rangers Way Ultra will receive a medal and t-shirt sourced from Driffield as well as a Discover Driffield Loyalty card and the first male and female will receive a hand-crafted trophy made by members of Driffield Men in Sheds.

Donations from the entry fee will also go towards the Wold Rangers Way charity, Driffield & Wolds Foodbank and Driffield Men in Sheds.

The Wolds Rangers Way was launched last year and follows green lanes and bridlepaths through the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds as walked by the Wold Rangers – a group of nomadic men and women who travelled from farm to farm seeking shelter and sustenance in exchange for work.

As well as the 43-mile trail which stretches from Driffield, taking in many Wolds villages from Garton-on-the-Wolds, Wetwang, Fimber, Fridaythorpe, Huggate and Thixendale, there are also a number of shorter walks or ‘Trods’ named after some of the more well-known Rangers.

Wold Rangers Way trustee Mark Blakeston said: “There is a big movement around ultra-marathons and people don’t just travel all over the UK, but all over the world to take part.

“On Twitter, I have seen a Winter Olympian and Arctic ultra-athlete who is going to take part.

“It will bring 50-60 runners to Driffield and they will bring their supporters and for that day and potentially for the weekend it will bring a lot of new people to Driffield and the Wolds.

“Grant has been very keen to promote local businesses and those people who will come into the town will spend their money locally.

“There is also an opportunity to put Driffield on the map as a centre for outside activities and could open up new opportunities.”

For further information about the Wold Rangers Way Ultra and to register please visit the website ultratrails.co.uk.