Rochdale Harriers set to cross England in non-stop 190-mile relay

Tuesday, 24 June 2025 20:31

By David Murphy

Club members will run the full Wainwright coast-to-coast route from 26 to 28 June, a 40 hour team effort ending in Whitby.

After a year of planning, Rochdale Harriers & Athletic Club are preparing to tackle one of their boldest adventures yet, a continuous 190 mile relay run across the width of England, starting Thursday 26 June and expected to finish on Saturday 28 June.

The club’s challenge follows last year’s 268 mile Pennine Way Relay, and will see 40 members take on the entire Wainwright Coast-to-Coast route. Runners will pass a baton from St Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood’s Bay near Whitby, traversing the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Vale of Mowbray, and North York Moors.

The route includes approximately 26,000 feet of ascent, roughly the height of Everest, and has been broken into 21 sections. Runners will tackle each leg in pairs for safety, running day and night without stopping.

“This isn’t a race, it’s an epic club run and celebration of teamwork,” said lead organiser John Mayall, who is coordinating the effort alongside David Bull, Juliet Smith and Nick Barton. “The team spirit has been tremendous. It’s a huge ask for 40 people to recce their legs, especially with the route so far from home. But it’s very exciting!”

The relay kicks off with Lee Meadowcroft and Pete Butterworth at St Bees and finishes with Louise Mayall and Stephanie Harrison on the final stretch into Robin Hood’s Bay. A GPS tracker will allow supporters to follow the team's progress live.

In total, the event is expected to last around 40 hours. Over 20 club members will remain in Whitby afterwards to mark the end of the challenge, and to celebrate organiser John Mayall’s birthday.

“Having done the Pennine Way as a continuous relay last year, we just couldn’t resist running the width of England this time,” Mayall said. “I just hope everyone enjoys it and completes their legs safely.”