Ripon Stinger 56K Ultra Marathon

Ripon Stinger 56KM (35 Miles) Ultra Marathon

Prepare for a "sting in the tail" on the doorstep of a World Heritage Site. The Ripon Stinger is a glorious tour of the Northern Dales, starting from the deer-filled parkland of Studley Roger and heading north towards the brewing capital of Masham.

As Race 4 in the Punk Panther calendar, this event lands perfectly in early Spring. It’s a route that showcases North Yorkshire at its finest, rolling hills, river valleys, and sweeping views. But don’t get too distracted by the scenery; with nearly 1,050m (3,500ft) of climbing on the Ultra course, you’ll need to keep your focus.

Course

You’ll head north from Ripon, pushing all the way up to Masham (home of Theakston and Black Sheep breweries) before looping back via Skelding. It’s runnable, but the constant undulations stack up to 1,050m (3,500ft) of gain.

There area 3 checkpoints (North Stainley, Masham, Skelding) which are stocked with the usual ultra staples plus vegan and gluten-free options. But save some room for the finish line. Back at Studley Roger Village Hall, you’ll be treated to homemade hot food, hot drinks, and a warm, friendly atmosphere to recover in.

There is a designated parking field nearby (Studley Lane, HG4 3AY) available for a £2 donation to the farmer's charity. We cannot stress this enough: Do not park in the village of Studley Roger. The future of this race depends on keeping the locals happy. If you or your supporters block the village, you will be disqualified. No arguments.

Ripon Stinger Ultra Marathon from Punk Panther is the perfect blend of runnable trails and testing hills. The route isn't technical in a mountainous sense, meaning you can really open up the legs, but the distance and the mud (it is Yorkshire!) will keep you honest. Plus, finishing a race with a homemade meal rather than a foil-wrapped bar makes all the difference. For full race details, including registration info, please visit the official race website.