Northern, Lakes, Dales and Moors Traverse® Event Director Report
By Shane Ohly
The 2025 Traverse Series celebrated grit, endurance and passion for ultra running and adventure as runners took on one of the UK’s most iconic journeys along Alfred Wainwright’s legendary Coast to Coast Path.
Spread across four races - the Northern Traverse, Lakes Traverse, Dales Traverse, and Moors Traverse - the series tested participants over a wide range of distances and terrains, all steeped in natural beauty and historical significance. From the wild, rugged trails of the Lake District to the vast open expanses of the North York Moors, runners were met with stunning views and the striking contrasts of warm, sunny days and freezing, clear nights, pushing both their physical limits and mental strength. In summary, this is how the participant’s statistics measure up against previous editions:
Crossing the Yorkshire Dales | ©No Limits Photography
Northern Traverse
2025 – 187 Starters, 138 Finishers: Finishing rate: 73%
2024 – 105 Starters, 69 Finishers: Finishing rate: 65%
2023 – 98 Starters, 69 Finishers: Finishing rate: 70%
2022 – 140 Starters, 104 Finishers: Finishing rate: 74%
2018 – 52 Starters, 44 Finishers: Finishing rate: 83%
2016 – 50 Starters, 41 Finishers: Finishing rate: 82%
Lakes Traverse
2025 – 206 Starters, 181 Finishers: Finishing rate: 87%
2024 – 142 Starters, 106 Finishers: Finishing rate: 74%
2023 – 129 Starters, 117 Finishers: Finishing rate: 90%
2022 – 163 Starters, 128 Finishers: Finishing rate: 78%
2018 – 36 Starters, 31 Finishers: Finishing rate: 86%
Dales Traverse
2025 – 145 Starters, 141 Finishers: Finishing rate: 97%
2024 – 49 Starters, 43 Finishers: Finishing rate: 87%
Moors Traverse
2025 – 42 Starters, 39 Finishers: Finishing rate: 92%
2024– 19 Starters, 19 Finishers: Finishing rate: 100%
In stark contrast to the 2024 edition, which was severely impacted by Storm Kathleen (bringing high winds, driving rain and hazardous conditions that led to route changes and early withdrawals) the 2025 event was characterised by fantastic weather. Clear skies, warm sunshine during the day and crisp, star-lit nights created near-perfect running conditions across all four events. The improved weather, particularly the hard ground, allowed for faster times and record-breaking performances and allowed participants to fully absorb the stunning landscapes and immersive experiences that the Coast to Coast route offers. The difference was palpable: while last year tested runners’ ability to endure the elements, this year celebrated the joy and freedom of ultra running under open skies.
2025 edition saw clear skies day and night | ©No Limits Photography
Northern Traverse (300km)
Crossing three national parks from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, this monumental 300km journey demands nothing short of total commitment and tenacity from the runners. Damian Hall shattered the men’s course record in 42h:56m, while Fiona Horsfield staged a dramatic comeback to win the women’s race in 54h:12m. Yet the true spirit of the race lay in every finisher who pressed on through sleepless nights and ever-changing terrain. Whether chasing podiums or personal milestones, each participant displayed remarkable resilience in completing one of the UK’s toughest ultras.
Lakes Traverse (100km)
From the Irish Sea at St Bees to the limestone edge of Shap, the Lakes Traverse wound through dramatic valleys and iconic mountains of the Lake District. Rupert Allison narrowly claimed the win after a head-to-head battle with David Parrish in the final kilometres with a winning time of 10h:31m. Meanwhile, Anna Watkinson-Powell led the women home to finish in 12h:26m in a strong performance.
Dales Traverse (55km)
Shorter but no less demanding, the Dales Traverse challenges runners with the excellent undulating terrain of the Yorkshire Dales. Starting in Kirkby Stephen, Spencer Shaw set a blistering new men’s course record, finishing in Richmond in just 4h:28m. Jess Ross led the women and also placed fourth overall in a time of 5h:32m.
Moors Traverse (80km)
The Moors Traverse capped off the series with both Michael Arkinstall-Doyle and Victoria Morris breaking the course records. Michael stormed across the moors and along the spectacular cliff top path to finish in 7h:59m. Like Jess on the Dales Traverse, Victoria also finished fourth overall in 9h:09m, but remarkably planned to run back to the start, after a night in Robin Hood’s Bay.
Whether breaking records, chasing cutoffs, or simply reaching the finish line, runners overcame physical and emotional challenges. Their stories of determination, support, setbacks and success truly define the 2025 Traverses. This year’s races celebrated the human spirit, community and the enduring allure of ultrarunning in the wild paths carved across England’s most beautiful landscapes.
See the full set of 2025 results
The 2025 results can be found below for the Northern, Lakes, Dales & Moors Traverses.
Event Team Thanks
The 2025 event would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of our Event Team - almost 130 strong, made up of the Ourea Events permanent staff, professional freelancers and dedicated volunteers. Again, they went above and beyond and made a huge contribution to a profoundly memorable experience for participants. Their unwavering commitment, energy and warmth were felt across all four events, and I know I speak for every runner when I say, “Thank you”.
The Event Team is far more than a logistical machine. They are the heart and soul of the event. They have a powerful sense of unity and shared purpose, and it’s no surprise that they proudly refer to themselves as the Ourea family.
People often ask how we manage to gather such a cheerful, capable and committed crew. The answer is multi-faceted in truth, but a core part is our volunteer participation cycle. A model where individuals can run in one event, volunteer at another, and return to race, building a community rich with experience and aligned with our values. To support this, we offer event credits to anyone who volunteers. It’s a virtuous circle that keeps our core event team consistent, knowledgeable and thriving. Find out more about volunteering here.
And finally, a special mention to the many team members who wore multiple hats during the event: helping with registration in St Bees before dashing off to staff a Support Point or two. Your flexibility and dedication were nothing short of extraordinary.
A huge thank you to our wonderful event team I ©No Limits Photography
The 2025 Event Team was:
Team 1A – St Bees / Shap / Robin Hoods Bay
Ailsa Janzen
Chris Reason
Colin Harding
Dave Moulding
Dean Corrie
Fiona Murphy
Genevieve Thompson
George Butt
Ian Cowie
Matt Dunn
Matthew McCreadie
Sarah Howell
Teresa Reason
Team 1B – St Bees / Ingleby / Glaisdale / Falling Foss
Seb Oliver
Alex Kemp
Michael Haynes
Team 2 – St Bees / Kirkby Stephen / Reeth
Chris Barker
Debbie Haigh
Keith Montgomery
Kirsty Barker
Krystal Garnett
Laura Conroy
Paul Holtom
Richard Stillion
Sarah Bradley
Team 3 – Rosthwaite / Richmond
Sue Dowker
Becki Penrose
Carol Bedwell
Chris Lees
Dave Rogers
Jennifer O’Neill
Lepha McCartan
Robert Campbell
Ross Bibby
Sam Dungey
Sarah Humphries
Sharon Dyson
Team 4 – Patterdale / Lordstones
Alex Chesters
Andy Norman
Daren Piper
Helen Schofield
Linda Cairns
Sarah Norman
Sean O'Keeffe
Tom Crispin
Building a community rich with experience and aligned with our values I ©No Limits Photography
Weekend Team
Benjamin Voke
Brian Melia
Ethan Butler
Helen Knott
James Terry
Jamie Hardman
Liam Challis
Liza Bradshaw
Martha Urwin
Nick Brooks
Sam Moppett
Sarah McNab
Course Operations Team
James Greenhalgh
Paul Edmonds
Richard Coombs
Spencer Millbery
Catering Team
Cathy Lowe
Chris Taylor
Eleanor Smith
Emma Hadley
Fi Massey
Joe Faulkner
Johnny Boult
Julie Boult
Nic McNally
Paul Hughes
Tammy Ruvino
Tim Glasby
Tim Swan-Smith
Bag Drop Vehicle Driver
Colin Young
David Frame
Derek Allison
Guy Redmond
Harry Adair
Event Control
Abbi Forsyth
Martin Cavill
Site Crew
Jess Byrne
Suzy Slaughter
Tom Jobling
Zak Benaton
Medical Team
Andy Towne
Felicity Elliott
Katie Ward
Morag Bowie
Nat Kennedy
Neil Stephenson
Oliver Wright
Patricia Littlechild
Rich Griffiths
Ross Parkinson
Response Team
Dave Howarth
David Lee
Lucy Noble
Sarah Graham
Sharon Kennedy
Tim Budd
Timing / Tracking (Open Tracking)
Chris Mills
James Thurlow
Media Team
Andy Johnson
Christiaan Le Roux
David Wood
Harriet D'Alessio
Jimmy Hyland
Joel Jameson
Paul Hadley
Steve Ashworth
Ourea Events Team
Charlie Williamson
Duncan Archer
Greg Mickelborough
Jen Edson
Jo Moore
Libbi McGibbon
Lorna McBride
Neil Davies
Olivia Jackson
Shane Ohly
That’s a wrap! I ©No Limits Photography
Stakeholder Thanks
These races would not be possible without the consent and support of various landowners and stakeholders along the route. On behalf of all the participants, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to these organisations and individuals. In particular, I would like to thank Forestry England, the National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and the North York Moors National Park Authority.
Venue Thanks
We would not have been able to deliver the event without the following venues, which were vital locations for registration, the start/finish lines, and as locations for the various Support Points along the route. We would like to sincerely thank the following:
St Bees School
Cumberland Council
Borrowdale Institute, Rosthwaite
Yew Tree Farm, Rosthwaite
Patterdale C of E Primary School
Patterdale Cricket Club & George V Playing Field
Shap Memorial Hall
Shap C of E Primary School
Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
Dales Bike Centre, Reeth
Richmond Football Club
Ingleby Cross Village Hall
Lordstones Country Park
The Robinson Institute, Glaisdale
Falling Foss Tea Garden
Fylingdales Village Hall
Hooks House Farm Campsite
A journey that will never be forgotten | ©No Limits Photography
Traverse Mail
Over 5,117 Traverse Mail messages were sent to participants during the Northern Traverse, marking a 61% increase from last year. It was wonderful to see people receiving these encouraging messages from friends and family, as they undoubtedly provided our runners with the courage and motivation needed to push on. You can catch up on any missed messages on the Live Tracking page here.
Event Coverage
You can relive the adventure and magic from the 2025 Traverses through our social channels over on Instagram and Facebook, which are packed full of content from the unforgettable week!
Alongside our media team capturing the sensational footage and photography seen on our socials, we had My BIB Number out on course following along your individual journeys, whether through Lakes, Dales or Moors.
You can view their photo galleries and download snaps here:
Northern, Lakes and Dales Traverses
Why not watch our daily highlight videos on our YouTube channel here, or read our race round up blogs below for inspiration!
The heat was on at the 2025 Lakes Traverse® race
Record breaking weather for the 2025 Dales & Moors Traverses®
Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing some participant blogs from the Traverses so if you have a story to share, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
All the way from St Bees | ©No Limits Photography
Feedback And Reviews
Feedback is vital to us and helps the event to evolve and improve each year. We are always eager to hear your thoughts. While we don’t promise to incorporate every piece of feedback we receive, we assure you that we will read and consider it carefully. We are always immensely grateful to those who take the time to share their thoughts. So, please don’t be shy and send any comments you may have using our contact form or email us directly.
Help Us Out – Leave Us A 5 Star Review on RaceCheck
Last year we joined RaceCheck, a third-party website which collects race reviews. We would love it if you could help us out by leaving us a 5-star review – this really helps us get the word out about the event!
Fancy having a go at the Northern Traverse? | ©No Limits Photography
Join Us Next Year
Maybe you’re keen to improve on your time from this year? Perhaps you’d like to step up and tackle one of our longer races. Whatever your goal, we’d love to see you for another extraordinary journey, and entries are open NOW for the 2026 Northern, Lakes, Dales and Moors Traverse. Please note that the Northern Traverse is almost sold out at the time of writing this Event Director report, just a few days after the 2025 edition.
Discover the beauty of the North York Moors | ©Joel Jameson Photography
What’s Next?
Looking for some future inspiration? Take a look at some more events from Ourea Events below:
Enjoy a relaxed and friendly three-day mountain journey around the beautiful fells of the Lake District. There are six courses to choose from: Café, Herdwick, Wainwright, Fellrunner, Extreme, and Adventure, so there is something for everyone! Entries Close Friday, 25th April.
Friday 2nd to Monday 5th May 2025 - LAST FEW PLACES REMAIN!
Interested in a multi-day racing experience? Join us for eight incredible days of running through the stunning Scottish Highlands on the epic Cape Wrath Ultra®. This awe-inspiring expedition race starts in Fort William and winds through some iconic Scottish landscapes to finish at the Cape Wrath lighthouse, the most north-westerly tip of the British Isles. You can complete either the full ‘Ultra’ course or make a running holiday of it and complete the shorter ‘Explorer’ course.
New for 2025 is the Cape Wrath 100™, covering the first 100 miles of the Cape Wrath Ultra over the event's first three days. If you want to get a taste of stage events, this could be the perfect
There are still a few places left for the 2025 event this May. Or register your interest for 2026 and have early access to entries opening!
Cape Wrath Ultra 18th – 25th May 2025 - LAST FEW PLACES
Cape Wrath Explorer 18th – 25th May 2025 - LAST FEW PLACES
Cape Wrath 100 18th 20th May 2025 – Be a test pilot in our inaugural year
Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Join us for six epic days of mountain running through stunning Wales! The 2025 Dragon’s Back Race® starts from Conwy Castle and runs the length of Wales, linking many of the country’s iconic mountain summits, to finish in Cardiff Castle on the South coast of Wales. With the brilliant Hatchling option, you can be sure of an amazing running holiday in Wales.
See more over on our YouTube channel!
Monday 1st to Saturday 6th September 2025 - LAST FEW PLACES
Join us for a “sensational” weekend of trail running with your favourite podcast hosts: Eddie & Gary!
The route connects the exceptional trails of the Northern Lake District fells, featuring some of the most iconic Wainwright summits and offering fabulous views over Derwent Water and beyond. With route options of approximately 50km and 30km, the fully waymarked and marshalled course encompasses a blend of mountain trails, valley paths, and country lanes - ideal for enjoyable trail running with friends. We’ll keep you energised with refreshment stops filled with cake, cheese and pickle sandwiches, and, of course, plenty of tea!
Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June 2025 ENTRIES OPEN NOW
WOMEN ONLY RACE. It’s no secret the Peak District is home to some of the most beautiful trails in the country. Setting off from the popular town of Hathersage, you will run along the famous edges, with sweeping views at every turn, before passing through the iconic Chatsworth Park and onto the Monsal Trail.
Peak District 2nd August 2025 - ENTRIES NOW OPEN!
27km of mind-bending brilliant trail running. The Salomon Buttermere Skyline™ is inspired by the pure challenge of tackling the iconic skyline of this favourite Lake District destination. Our route is a classic mountain loop of the Buttermere fells, taking in the famous summits, linking technical trails and magical Lakeland views.
Saturday 16th August 2025 - ENTRIES OPEN NOW
Salomon Skyline Scotland® was established in 2015 and featured just one race, the iconic Glen Coe Skyline®. The event then moved to Kinlochleven in 2016 and grew to nine races. It featured in the Skyrunning World Series, Golden Trails World Series, and Spartan Trail and Ultra World Championships and hosted the Skyrunning World Championships. Salomon Skyline Scotland® established itself as a world-class mountain and trail running event, attracting 2,000+ participants from up to 50 countries annually and has generated millions of pounds of economic impact for the Lochaber region.
After a break last year, we are returning to relaunch in 2025, bigger and better than before with seven new races! The Ben Nevis Skyline has been selected as a Golden Trail World Series qualifier race.
Saturday 20th September 2025 - ENTRIES OPEN NOW
Jacobite 100 (100km / 2,400m)
Ben Nevis Skyline (29km / 1,800m)
Steall Marathon (42km / 2,200m)
Aonach Mor Anarchy (12km / 600m)
Trail Marathon (42km / 300m)
Trail Half Marathon (21km / 300m)
Trail 10k (10km / 200m)
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL – TRAIL RUN AND ULTRA
Taking place over the bustling Kendal Mountain Festival weekend, the popular not-for-profit Adidas TERREX Kendal Trail Run and The NORTH FACE Kendal Skyline Ultra offer trail lovers and festival goers their fix of fresh air, fells and Lake District weather. With 10km and 50km distances over grassy and undulating trails, these courses pack a punch whilst being runnable and offering fantastic views over Kendal and the surrounding Lake District fells.