Got your mandatory kit sorted?
Browse the ultra runners' kit list for all your essential gear.
Wharfedale Skyline Ultra Marathon
End your season on a high note, literally. The Wharfedale Skyline is the 10th race in the Punk Panther calendar, offering a spectacular, high-level tour of the Wharfe Valley before winter truly sets in.
Held in early November, this race is all about big views and gritty Yorkshire trails. As the name suggests, you’ll be tracing the skyline above Otley and Ilkley, bagging iconic local landmarks like the Cow and Calf Rocks and the Otley Chevin. With the autumn colours still lingering and the crisp air in your lungs, it’s arguably the most atmospheric way to close out your running year.
Course
The 35 mile Ultra course packs a punch, delivering 1,390m (4,557ft) of elevation gain. It’s a route that demands respect, mixing fast-moving tracks with stiff climbs.
You’ll start with a climb up to the Chevin, heading out via Cookridge and Yeadon Tarn. The middle section is a treat for the eyes, taking you through Menston and up to the famous gritstone outcrop of the Cow and Calf at Ilkley. From here, you cross the valley to Denton and tackle the moors around Norwood before dropping back down to Otley.
It’s a "best of" compilation of the lower Wharfedale valley, rugged enough to test you, but accessible enough to run well.
Please note that due to limited parking and access, support crews are only permitted at CP1 (Yeadon Tarn). All other checkpoints are strictly for runners and marshals only.
Punk Panther events are famous for their finish line hospitality, and the Skyline is no exception. Once you get back to the United Reform Church, you’ll be thawed out with homemade pie, cheese toasties, or 10-bean chilli (Vegan/GF options available). It’s the ultimate comfort food after a cold day on the hills. For full race details, please visit the official Punk Panther website.
