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.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Residents warned over unlicensed Botox after dangerous products seized in Rochdale

Health officials are urging residents to check the credentials of cosmetic providers after illegal Botox-style treatments were discovered in local businesses across the borough.
Bolton Cancer Voices celebrate 13 years of music and support

A choir formed to support people with cancer has reached its 13th birthday, defying early doubts and proving that music can be a powerful source of healing, connection and joy.
Thousands line streets for Prestwich Carnival Parade and family fun

Families turned out in droves for a sun and showers weekend as Prestwich Carnival returned for its 2025 celebration, with music, floats, and community spirit taking centre stage.
Colourful celebration as Rochdale’s Pride parade brings community together

Second annual Pride weekend hailed a success with parades, performances and powerful messages of inclusion.
Hidden wonderland unveiled as Hopwood Hall Family Fun Day stuns visitors with animals, tech and career-building promise

From alpacas and wallabies to digger simulators and 3D printing, Middleton’s Hopwood Hall College wowed hundreds of locals at its Family Fun Day, a showcase of how the college is transforming lives and challenging expectations.
Rochdale Town Hall wins praise at North West planning awards

Restoration project hailed for community involvement and care for local wildlife.
Two Rochdales, one goal as football club reaches out to New York namesake

Club managing director Andy Duff visits Rochdale Village in Queens, bringing shirts, stories and a vision for future links.
Police storm Castleton street after man stabbed and woman arrested

A man in his 20s is in hospital following a daytime stabbing in Castleton as police arrest a woman on suspicion of assisting an offender
North West brass champions Middleton Band strike victory at Whit Friday contests

Middleton Band's winning year continues as they make history with multiple contest wins, setting their sights on national finals.
£50m in ticket sales, closed parks and noisy nights with Prestwich told to be grateful for £25k

A cash contribution secured to compensate for disruption caused by the upcoming Oasis Heaton Park shows has been slammed as ‘pocket money’.
New ‘temporary’ entrance to Bury’s tram stop will be needed for at least three years

A temporary new route to Bury town centre’s tram stop is to be created as plans accelerate to demolish and rebuild the towns’s transport interchange.
Campaign backed by Rochdale MP prompts tougher hate crime laws

A campaign co-led by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has succeeded in pushing the government to tighten laws on hate crimes against LGBT+ and disabled people, ensuring they carry the same legal weight as offences motivated by race or religion.