Photo of Rebecca Jones (1st female finisher) courtesy of April Corbett
QRC’s very own event!
The Lyke Wake Challenge starts from near Osmotherley (Sheepwash car park at the top of Cod Beck reservoir) and finishes in Ravenscar village in the grounds of the Raven Hall Hotel approximately 40 miles later.
The Challenge is held on a handicap basis, based on previous run times over the Lyke Wake route and/or participant’s own estimates. Parts of the route are severe and remote with runners carrying mandatory kit. The route is not marked and must be completed in 12 hours, passing through all 7 of the checkpoints – this year, participants set off at times between 4.15am and 10am.
Despite the driving rain and cold weather conditions for the majority of the day this year, 59 out of 68 starters finished the Challenge including 2 Quakers. Claire Chapman completed the route (her 58th crossing) in 9:46 and Rebecca Jones in 9:51 (and due to the handicap start system, she was the 1st female finisher). The fastest runner completed the event in 5:24 breaking the 2017 course record by 3 minutes!
The event is organised by Anthony, Roy and April, ably supported by an army of QRC volunteers and friends. All profits from the Challenge are distributed to worthy causes. Donations are made after each event to Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team and Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team (who would be called upon to provide assistance in an emergency situation) plus Raynet (a voluntary organisation who provide on the day communications for the event). Other organisations to benefit from donations over the years have been Ravenscar Village Hall and the British Heart Foundation.
Since QRC started organising the event in 2015, almost £4,500 has been donated to each rescue team and over £600 to Ravenscar Village Hall as well as amounts to other charities, totalling over £11,500! Over £4,000 is expected to be donated to charity in respect of 2023 & 2024’s events.
The club receives huge amounts of very positive feedback from participants, both on the day and subsequently and definitely puts the Quakers Running Club name out there in a favourable light. Many members have completed the event and many more have volunteered. If you are interested in running or volunteering, you can contact Anthony, Roy and April at: