LYKE WAKE CHALLENGE 2026
When is the event?
The 2026 Challenge event will take place on Saturday 11th July.
How can I enter?
Entries will be via SiEntries and will open in the autumn.
What should I know?
The Challenge is held on a handicap basis based on previous run times over the Lyke Wake route and/or participant’s own estimated times. All participants are expected to be fully aware of the classic Lyke Wake route as the route itself is not marked . The maximum time allowed to complete the event is twelve hours (including the handicap). (Start times, which will be advised with entry confirmation, will be somewhere between approx. 04:00 & 10:00). All participants must be 21 or over on the day to meet the requirements of the Trail Running Association Permit.
The course is a point to point course and we are not able to provide transport to the start or from the finish due to the variable handicap start times and there is limited, remote, parking at the start area. It is therefore advisable to consider your transport solutions carefully.
About the event.
It starts close to Osmotherley (Sheepwash car park, top of Cod Beck reservoir) and the finish is just over 40 miles away at Ravenscar village in the grounds of Raven Hall.
There will be seven checkpoints along the course, each supplying drinks and most with snacks. One checkpoint, the Lion Inn, which is just before halfway, will supply other food such as rice pudding and/or tinned fruit.
the start, finish and checkpoints in between with the what3words references.
Sheepwash – SE467992 browser,fuels,renovated
Carlton Bank – NZ523030 beefed.fitter.inspected
Clay Bank – NZ573033 relishes.correct.trump
Lion Inn – SE679997 gives.lights.stiffly
Hamer – SE744995 tumble.tripped.straying
Stape – SE804983 circus.quicker.sprain
Ellerbeck – SE856982 playfully.grudges.educates
Jugger Howe – NZ945003 actual.bothered.charities
Raven Hall – NZ981017 chins.cabbages.races
Participants should be aware that parts of the route are severe and remote, especially in extreme weather, and therefore mandatory kit must be carried at all time.
Raynet are volunteers who will provide radio communication links between each checkpoint.
To reduce waste and be kinder to the environment plastic cups will not be provided at the checkpoints. A drinks container is therefore on the mandatory kit list. (This could be for example a plastic cup, race vest flask or rucksack bladder).
What is the “Mandatory KIt” required.
A suitable Map of the route e.g. OS OL26/27 or Harvey North York Moors (Electronic map is not acceptable due to signal loss in places)
Waterproof Jacket
Whistle
Emergency foil blanket
Minimum 300ml water or isotonic drink
Drink container for checkpoint
Emergency food
A fully charged mobile phone with emergency number stored (number will be provided before the day).
Additional Recommended Kit includes :- Gloves, Hat or Buff, Basic First Aid kit and Sun cream.
Registration
There will be a full kit check at registration on the morning – anyone without all mandatory kit will not be issued their challenge number nor allowed to participate. No exceptions – this is for your safety.
A short briefing will be made just before your allocated start time.
En Route
A further random kit check will take place on the course during the event and if mandatory kit is not being carried, the runner will be disqualified.
During the event if a checkpoint marshal feels a participant is unlikely to be able to finish either safely or within the time limit the participant will be required to retire from the event. A cut-off time will be enforced at Ellerbeck checkpoint (CP6) – this time will be advised near the event date taking into account the likely course conditions and weather forecast.
The Finish
The finish is in the grounds of Raven Hall. As you run down the road towards the hall as soon as you enter the grounds of the hall immediately turn right and run up the grass towards the finish gazebo.
A commemorative technical t-shirt will be provided to all finishers and trophies will be presented to the first male and female finishers, plus the fastest overall male and female finishers.
Often finishers stay in this area with friends and family to welcome others into the finish or enjoy a well deserved drink or ice cream.
Toilet facilities are available in the village just a few metres from the finish.
The Marshals
The Event Director, Event Organiser, Committee and Marshals are all volunteers, giving their time freely to ensure that this event can take place and are members of the Quakers Running Club, their family and friends. They are super friendly and being runners have a good understanding of what you need and how you may be feeling and they are fabulous at their roles.
If you would like to volunteer to marshal the event which is always a great day please contact Anthony Corbett, April Corbett or Roy Macdougall (email LykeWakeRace@gmail.com)
Donations to Charitable Organisations
From each entry fee a minimum of £2 is donated to both Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team and also Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Teams (who will be called upon to provide assistance in an emergency situation). Since QRC took on the event, we will have donated almost £9,000 to each of the rescue teams plus over £600 to Ravenscar Village Hall, Raynet and amounts to other charities, totalling over £20,000 !
Challenge Results 2016-2024 – Click here for Results
Lyke Wake Stone
8th July 2023 Lyke Wake Challenge
A great event held by the Quakers Running Club. A lot of organisational work takes place for many months in the background by Anthony Corbett and Roy Macdougall with some help from April Corbett to allow us to hold this fabulous event. Many many thanks go to the amazing QRC members and also some of our friends who helped to marshal on the day – without the commitment and dedication of these lovely people looking after the runners, we simply could not hold this iconic challenge which has raised many thousands of pounds for charity. We have had so much fantastic feedback on the Lyke Wake Facebook page, by email, verbally when the runner completed the challenge and direct messages which makes us proud of our volunteers and to be part of a great club.
It was made particularly interesting this year with the weather both on the day and leading up to the event. We were a little concerned that after many weeks of no rain that the peaty boggy section wouldn’t be the same if it was just dry and bouncy. As it turned out it was a hot and sunny day which then turned into torrential downpours with the final touch adding in some thunder and lightening. The good news is all of the competitors were accounted for at the end of the day,
If anyone hasn’t heard of the Lyke Wake, it is a linear 40 mile crossing from Osmotherley to Ravenscar that includes all terrains including trail, a little bit of road, moors and hills. There are checkpoints along the way at Carlton Bank, Clay Bank, the Lion Inn, Hamer, Stape, Ellerbeck and Jugger Howe before reaching the finish in the grounds of Raven Hall at Ravenscar. Our volunteers are in small groups at each of these points and they have a great day whilst waiting for each runner to arrive. The runners tell us how amazing the Quakers are with making sure they are ok, giving them snacks, raising their spirits and ensuring they have enough water to see them to the next check point.
We would also like to thank the marshals for their time and the snacks they provided at their checkpoints, Raven Hall for allowing us to have the finish area in their grounds, Raynet for providing the radio communication support, the Lion Inn for allowing us to have the checkpoint area, Sprinters our chosen supplier for Tshirts and first and fastest finishers plaques.
We will update when we have finalised the donations for Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team, Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team and Raynet.
We have already started planning for the 2024 challenge so if you have been inspired to volunteer next year or would like more details on how you can help, please either speak to Anthony, Roy or April, email lykewakerace@gmail.com or send a direct message and we will be happy to answer any questions you have. We would love for more of our members to experience the event whether it be taking part in the challenge itself or being at one of the checkpoints – what a great day it is!
Anthony Corbett, Roy Macdougall, April Corbett
Since Quakers Running Club have taken over the administration of the Lyke Wake Crossing event over £12,000 has been raised for these worthy causes
Click here to see Lyke Wake Charity Donations