Wold Rangers Way Ultra makes a welcome return in 2023 – but places are filling up fast

Following the success of the inaugural event last year, Driffield and the Wolds will once again be welcoming elite runners from across the country as the Wold Rangers Way Ultra makes a welcome return.

The ultra-marathon which follows the route of the Wold Rangers Way will take place on Saturday 22nd April and will see up to 150 athletes take part in the 43.5-mile route through the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds starting and finishing in Driffield.

The ultra-marathon is staged by Ultra Trails and organised by ultra-marathon runner Grant Smalley and his partner Mel from Stamford Bridge.

Grant, who ran his first ultra-marathon in 2013, told the Wolds Weekly he was delighted to be returning to Driffield.

He said: “We are delighted to be returning with the Wold Rangers Way Ultra in April.

“Last year’s event was the first ever ultra-marathon we had staged and it was a fantastic first event.

“We had 50 runners take part and we had good support from Driffield Striders who took part and helped at checkpoints.

“We followed that up with the Chalkland Way Ultra in Pocklington in November which had 100 runners, including people from Driffield, who also helped and volunteered.

“This year we have opened up the Wold Rangers Way Ultra to 150 runners and half of those places have been booked already and we expect the remaining places will be booked up by the end of January.

“We have a number of runners who are returning, having taken part last year, and around a quarter of the runners registered so far are first-time ultra-marathon runners.”

All finishers of the Wold Rangers Way Ultra will receive an eco-wooden medal, as well as a Discover Driffield Loyalty card and the first, second and third male and female will receive a hand-crafted trophy made by members of Driffield Men in Sheds and Discover Driffield Gift Vouchers.

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

The Wold Rangers Way was launched in 2021 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.

Grant added that it is his aim to support local businesses in and around the Wold Rangers Way.

“We have entrants from areas such as York, Leeds and Sheffield and even one from Norway, and hopefully local businesses in Driffield and the surrounding villages will benefit from the runners and their supporters coming into the area.

“We have joined up with Field House Camping in Tibthorpe, where we will have a checkpoint.

“The Wold Rangers Way is a fantastic route and for the vast majority of the route runners can enjoy the scenery and wildlife and escape everything as they follow this beautiful route.”

Wold Rangers Way trustee Mark Blakeston added: “Last year’s event was the first ultra-marathon Grant and Mel had run and it was superbly well-organised.

“I am delighted they are back this year and with three times more runners.

“This is a brilliant event for Driffield because it brings the runners and their friends and families into the area and provides a boost for the local economy.”