Record breaking weather for the 2025 Dales & Moors Traverses®
Back for their second edition, the Dales and Moors Traverses do exactly what their names suggest, traverse the edges of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks.
As with the Northern Traverse®, the routes both follow the established coast-to-coast trail. The 55km Dales starts at Kirkby Stephen and climbs up to the iconic Nine Standards Rigg, before weaving through beautiful Swaledale to finish underneath Richmond Castle. The 80km Moors sets off from Ingleby Cross, traversing the undulating Moors to the spectacular coast path that leads to the finish line at Robin Hood’s Bay.
Participation tripled on the Dales Traverse from its inception in 2024, with 145 runners on the start line. Numbers also increased on the Moors Traverse with 42 starters.
Northern, Lakes, Dales & Moors Traverses® | ©No Limits Photography
Spencer Shaw was the first into the finish in 4 hours and 28 minutes, claiming a new course record, held by Gavin Dale.
Shaw led the race from the off, building up an impressive 50 minute lead on his peers. Jonathon Marks was second across the line in 05:18:59, quickly followed by Jack Oliver who pushed hard for third place in 05:26:41. All gents commented on the beautiful conditions and scenery experienced along the route.
New course record set by Spencer Shaw ©No Limits Photography
Jess Ross was the first woman to arrive in Richmond Castle in 5 hours and 32 minutes, placing 4th overall and setting a fantastic new course record.
In fact, the first four females over the line were ahead of the previous course record set on the 2024 race. Johana Mackova finished second place in 06:14:11, with Cheryll Januszewski completing the podium in third place in 06:28:20 – her first 50 kilometre distance.
Runners continued to arrive in Richmond throughout the afternoon, savouring a cold drink and basking in the sunshine under the impressive Richmond Castle. Word in camp was that clear, crisp conditions set the scene for a fantastic day out on the trails.
Jess Ross leading the female race up to Nine Standards Rigg ©No Limits Photography
The 2025 edition of the Moors Traverse continued in the same vain, with multiple course records set under the Spring sunshine.
Michael Arkinstall-Doyle stormed to victory breaking the previous men’s record of 08:47:49 set by Ben Voke with an impressive new time of 07:59:25 – sneaking just under the 8 hour mark.
Ben Voke, who was volunteering on the Moors event team was present at the finish to greet the new record holder in. Ben said, “It’s great to see the race attracting elite runners, it’s extremely motivating for me to come back and reclaim my title!”.
Tim Marsters flew down the steep hill into Robin Hood’s Bay just minutes later in 08:03:37 to take second place, with Gareth Grey securing third in an impressive time of 08:45:55.
With near perfect racing conditions across the North York Moors, all male podium finishers were ahead of the previous course record time.
Moors Traverse winner Michael Arkinstall-Doyle ©Joel Jameson Photography
Victoria Morris dominated the women’s race, finishing 4th overall and paving the way with a stellar new female record in 09:09:58, beating the previous time by over an hour.
Emma Harrison cinched second place in 10:16:00 with Emma Franklin following shortly after to secure her position as third female in 10:38:29. It was a fast paced front of the race for the 2025 edition of the Moors Traverse.
Victoria Morris dominated the women’s race ©Joel Jameson Photography
A special shout out to the final finishers Heather Taylor and Frank Edge who arrived into Robin Hood’s Bay with less than 2 minutes to spare at 9:58pm, with the course closure time of 10pm - still smiling after they raced the clock down to the sea front.
Moors Traverse 2025 final finishers!
Follow the journey…
The Lakes, Dales & Moors participants may be enjoying some well deserved R&R, but out on our full Northern Traverse course runners are continuing their journey east towards that elusive finish line at Robin Hood’s Bay.
Northern Traverse GPS tracking link
How can I see the 2025 results so far?
The 2025 results can be found below for the Northern, Lakes, Dales & Moors Traverses.