The inaugural SILVA Dales and Moors Traverses are a success

This year saw the introduction of 2 new races to the SILVA Traverses series: the SILVA Dales Traverse and the SILVA Moors Traverse.

While the SILVA Northern Traverse and SILVA Lakes Traverse have become a highlight of the ultra-running calendar, these 2 newer races offer shorter alternatives for ultra-runners.

The SILVA Dales Traverse, which set off at 10am this morning, is a 55km race across the Yorkshire Dales section of the Coast to Coast routes, taking in some of the lesser known areas of the beautiful National Park. Highlights included the striking, albeit extremely boggy and saturated hill of Nine Standards Rigg, and the beautiful moorland and valleys of Swaledale. 

Meanwhile, the SILVA Moors Traverse, which set off at 7am, took in 80km of the wild and remote North York Moors, winding over the Cleveland Hills before following the shoreline into the picturesque town of Robin Hood’s Bay. 

A stunning landscape in the Yorkshire Dales ©No Limits Photography

Dale conquers the Dales

Last year’s joint winner (and record holder of the SILVA Lakes Traverse) took the win at the new SILVA Dales Traverse. Dale was a race favourite right from the start, having already proved himself over a variety of distances from shorter fell races, to the Salomon Ring of Steall Sky Race, and the 100 mile Arc of Attrition.  

He was on good form as he came running into the finish in 4 hours 45 minutes, over 20 minutes ahead of second place. He had an excellent run through the Dales, though commented that the course was extremely wet up on Nine Standards Rigg.  

As joint record holder of the Lakes Traverse, this is now the second record that he holds in the Traverses series. He has his eyes set on completing the collection.

He said, “I’ll do the Yorkshire Moors next year, and then the full thing the year after. I’ll get the full set.”

Second into the finish at the Dales Traverse was Ben Hamilton, who had fought hard to win a well-deserved second place.
Scott Newburn, who was third in the 2022 SILVA Northern Traverse, was 23 minutes behind him and third overall.

Gavin Dale has his eyes set on the full set ©No Limits Photography

First woman into Richmond (and 9th overall) was Mary Gillie in a time of 6 hours 42 minutes. She said, “It was so hard under foot. The fields were waterlogged. I was sliding in this mud.”

We asked if she knew she was winning. She said, “I was pretty sure I was. I kept thinking someone is going to overtake me on the road but they didn’t.”

Second woman into Richmond today was Alice Briscoe in a time of 7 hours 10 minutes, with third woman Emma Roper 7 minutes later.

This new route was incredibly well received, and we look forward to seeing this shorter ultra grow next year!

Benjamin Voke and Hillary Anne Szwed are the first ever Moors traverse winners

Max Reeves and Benjamin Voke were battling it out at the front of the field on the SILVA Moors Traverse, although it was ultimately Benjamin Voke who emerged victorious. He sets the course record of 8 hours 47 minutes and said he really enjoyed his experience at in the Moors.

Max Reeves was next in behind Benjamin, with Liam Knight not long after.

First in the women’s field was Hillary Anne Szwed who completed the challenging course in a time of 10 hours 55 minutes. She had tough competition, as Dizzy Warbrook was only 4 minutes behind her. There was then a joint third place shared by Lindsey Collins and Ellie May who were delighted to arrive at the beautiful seaside town of Robin Hood’s Bay together.

 Conditions may have been wet underfoot, but participants were treated to glorious sunshine over the Moors, with the sea glistening in the distance signalling the end of their journey and a long day’s running. While it was a smaller field for the first edition of the event, participant feedback on the route was incredibly positive, so we are expecting it this new addition to go from strength to strength.

The leading man and women at the Moors Traverse

Meanwhile, Northern Traverse runners continue into their second night…

Find out what is going on in the SILVA Northern Traverse by reading our Day 2 blog here:

There is a long way to go still for SILVA Northern Traverse runners! ©No Limits Photography

Save the date – Entries open on 12th April

Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to sign up as soon as entries open on Friday 12th April for your own adventure.

Join us next year ©No Limits Photography