DISTANCE
50 MILES
ELEVATION
2593M
LOCATION
MALHAM
PLACES
500
CUT-OFF TIME
18 HOURS
ENTRY FEE
£99
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PENNINE BARRIER ULTRA 50

Saturday 4th May 2024 (2025 – Saturday 3rd May)

Join GB Ultras in 2024 for this fantastic 50 mile ultra-marathon with 2593m of ascent and fusing together some of the finest trails in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Starting at the beautiful village of Malham with trails taking in Malham cove, the Dry Valley of Watlowes, Malham tarn, Fountains Fell, Janet’s foss and the wonderful Yorkshire 3 peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. This is a stunning route with excellent support from the #GBUltras team making it a race you’ll always remember! ITRA and UTMB Performance index. 

Held under UKA permit.  2024 permit pending Trail Running Association.

Ready for the challenge?

Secure your place now on the Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 for only £99.

2024 SOLD OUT!

Follow the Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 page & Join the GB Ultras Community Group.

Course Records

Mens PB – Rob Payne – Caistor RC (GBR) 8 Hours, 4 Minutes (2022)

Ladies PB – Lorraine Slater (GBR) 9 Hours 36 Minutes (2021)

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Days
Hours
Minutes

Are You Ready To

Be Challenged? Make Friends? Laugh? Cry?

Gold, Silver or Bronze?

Top 100 finishers earn a Gold ‘GB Ultras’ medal, 101-200 finishers earn a Silver ‘GB Ultras’ medal and 201+ finishers earn the Bronze ‘GB Ultras’ medal. The 2023 Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 mile is part of the 2023 GB Ultras 50 mile ‘Grand Slam’ Race Series!

Click Below To Watch The Live Online Tracking

All The Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 Information

We want you to have the most amazing time at the Pennine Barrier Ultra 50! All the information you need to participate in this event is below.

Start & Finish Venue

Malham Showfield, Chapel Gate, Malham, Skipton, Yorkshire Dales National Park, BD23 4DG.

At Start Venue

Friday 3rd May 2024 (2025: Friday 2nd May)

5.30pm – 9.00pm – Race Registration: Bib Number Collection Only.  

If you collect your bib number on Friday evening, you will still need to return during the times below on Saturday to collect your Race Tracker.  The Race Tracker device is part of your mandatory kit – if you do not collect this, you will not be permitted to race.

Saturday 4th May 2024 – Race Day (2025: Saturday 3rd May)

4.15am – 5.30am – Race Registration: Bib Number Collection & GB Race Tracker Collection

6.00am – Race Start – Mass Start

At least 20 years old + at the time of the race.

In good health.

Must have run at least a marathon distance prior to the event (this can be a training run, virtual or actual race but we would recommend race experience). This can be for an event not yet taken place but that will be completed prior to the Pennine Barrier 50 Ultra.

Mandatory kit MUST be carried during the race.

Failure to carry mandatory kit will result in a participant being disqualified.

Random kit checks at race registration, during the race and at the finish line will take place.

Mandatory Kit

Waterproof coat with sealed seams – Min 10,000mm

Base layer long sleeved (Separate from Start Kit in a dry bag) in your pack.

Water bottle or bladder – min 1 litre capacity

Fully charged mobile phone

Emergency Blanket, e.g. foil blanket

Headtorch min 75 Lumens

Back up light source min 25 Lumens (Not your Phone)

Emergency Rations min of 500 calories

Whistle

GPS Tracker (property of GB Race Tracker, returned after the race).

Reccomended Kit

Electrolytes/S-caps

Base Plate Compass

Ordnance Survey: Map OL2 (Hard Copy)

Sun protection/head cover

First aid kit

Cup

Please be aware GB Ultras Races Now Cupless! You can buy a GB Ultras reusable cup CLICK HERE to visit the shop.

Parking can be very limited in the summertime at Malham due to its beautiful surroundings so we have arranged DESIGNATED EVENT PARKING on the Malham Showfield on the left as you drive into Malham just before the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre. There is no extra charge for parking.

Participants may arrive anytime from 4pm on the Friday before the race.  Access on and off the Showfield will be restricted from 5.45am – 8.00am RACE MORNING and as runners FINISH the Race.

Camper vans are welcome to use the location as a base for the event from 4pm Friday onwards.  All vehicles must vacate the showground by 9.00am on Sunday morning.  Please ensure you take all rubbish with you and leave the showfield in the condition it was when you arrived.
No camping is permitted at the showfield – please support the local community and use the campsites at Riverside Campsite and Gordale Scar Campsite both nearby to the start/finish of the event.
No barbeques or fires are permitted on the showfield.

There are 5 Checkpoints during the Race.

Each checkpoint will provide refreshments including cola, tailwind, water and juice as well as a variety of sandwiches, salted potatoes, fruit, snacks, crisps and biscuits. We do our best to provide a range of food for Vegetarian & Vegan diets too.

We’ll also have a Medic, First Responder or a 1st aider available.

Cut-Off times per Checkpoint – These conditions include the length of time taken to complete sections of the course and they are implemented by the Event Organisers, GB Ultras, to ensure safe and proper running of the event. Checkpoint cut-off times will be strictly enforced.

There is a 18 hour cut off time for the event.

Checkpoint 1 – 12 Miles
Silverdale Road, Approx postcode BD24 9PW. SD84365 71488.
Cut-off 10.19am Saturday
(NO SUPPORT TEAMS WELCOME UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT EXTRACTION OF PARTICIPANT)

Checkpoint 2 – 21 Miles
Ribblehead Viaduct. As runners come up Gauber Road, Crossing Blea Moor Road. SD765563 79270.
Cut off 1.33pm Saturday.

Checkpoint 3 – 26 Miles
Philpin Farm Campsite, Chapel-le-Dale, LA6 3FH.
Cut off 3.43pm Saturday.
NO SUPPORT TEAMS PERMITTED

Checkpoint 4 – 34.5 Miles
Horton in Ribblesdale Playing Field, near to the Crown Inn, BD24 0HF.
SD80710 72715.
Cut Off 6.25pm Saturday.

Checkpoint 5 – 38 Miles
Silverdale Road, Approx postcode BD24 9PW. SD84365 71488.
Cut-off 7.40pm Saturday.
(NO SUPPORT TEAMS WELCOME UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT EXTRACTION OF PARTICIPANT)

Finish – 50 Miles
Malham Showfield, BD23 4DH.
Cut off 12am MIDNIGHT

NO SUPPORT CREW ACCESS
Due to parking limitations, Support Crews are NOT permitted as stated above at Checkpoints 1, 3 and 5.

These locations are now strictly event team only.

Please ensure your support crews are made aware of this restriction to avoid your disqualification from the event

Please note Support Crew restrictions at:

Checkpoint 1 & 5  – Silverdale Road (No support crews permitted)
Checkpoint 3 (Philpin Farm) – No support crews permitted

At other checkpoint locations, no more than two Support Crew members supporting an individual runner are permitted at a checkpoint at any one time.  These must not impede the Event team nor other runners.  

Support crews must not take the food nor drink from the checkpoint except for their runner unless given permission to do so.

Support Crews must respect instructions given by Event Staff.  Failure to do so will result in the Support crew being asked to leave the checkpoint and possible time implications or disqualification of the runner.

No dogs are permitted at checkpoints.

Pacers / Support Runners

No Pacers or Support Runners are permitted.  Participants found to be running with another person who is not entered in the race will be disqualified.

If you see a runner experiencing difficulties during the Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 please inform Checkpoint Personnel or Event Marshals. Each runner will be given the Race Director’s and Race HQ’s number in case of emergency. Our team will always endeavour to reach any participant in difficulty but due to inaccessibility of the Trail this can take time. Mountain teams are positioned in hard to reach sections of the trail, focused on Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Participants who lose time helping another fallen participant, struggling against the cut off time due to this reason, can claim this time back, subject to RD discretion and under the proviso of completing within their new, extended cut off period (please note this is not always possible).

A GBUltras sweeper and first aid team will also follow behind at the cut off pace to help any injured/fallen runner so effectively we’re always closing in to help. 

Each runner is carrying a GPS Tracker (property of GB Race Tracker) sending locations to the Race Tracker at approximately 2 minute intervals.  On the front of each tracker is an SOS button which when pressed by a runner will alert the Event team that an emergency situation has arisen.  However, both the data re locations being transmitted and the SOS signal depend on GPS/mobile reception (Global data roaming sim card).  Therefore, if an emergency arises, our mountain teams all have 5w long-wave two-way radios and a satellite phone and members of our mountain teams are First Responders.  It may be necessary to send a runner to high ground (marshal position) or to a Checkpoint.  Texts and voicemails to Race HQ will not be sufficient due to poor reception in the area.

Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 Admission Waiver

Each ultra runner agrees and understands the full nature of an Ultra-Marathon. That an Ultra-Marathon involves running throughout the day and well into the night at times with limited rest over challenging terrain with inherent risks of changing weather conditions. Each ultra runner understands that it is their responsibility to adequately train for the event, and monitor their own health throughout and are ultimately responsible for their own safety. Criteria ensures that a runners safety depends on their own skills and abilities and these have been gained from other events placing them in good stead to take on the mental and physical challenges of Pennine Barrier Ultra.

Each ultra runner understands these are there responsibilities not those of GB Ultras.

Please read these terms and conditions carefully and make sure that you understand them, before placing an entry on our site. By submitting your entry form, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions (“the Terms”), and by submitting, you declare that you hereby, for yourself, your heirs and executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, declare that:-

1. I hereby agree to comply with the Conditions of Entry and all event rules and regulations as set down by GB Ultras Ltd (“the Event Organisers”) a company registered in England and Wales under company number 09397186. These conditions include the length of time taken to complete sections of the course which may be implemented by the Event Organisers, at their discretion, to ensure safe and proper running of the event.
2. I agree that the decision of the Race Referee will be final in all circumstances and no discussion will be entered into.
3. I agree to conduct myself in a sporting, professional and cautious manner during my participation in the event and understand that I may be disqualified if I do not do so.
4. I understand participation in this Event is physically strenuous and demanding and am fully aware of the nature of the event and all associated medical and physical risks involved. I further certify that I am physically capable of competing in this Event and I will only compete if I am fit enough to do so.
5. I will be immediately disqualified from the Event if I am found to have intentionally shortened the route to the race, and found to be deliberately littering the course.
6. If I have any medical condition(s), including allergies, which the Event Organisers or Event medical advisors might need to be aware of, I have provided details of this on my entry form, and will also provide written details of this on the rear of my pin-on numbers prior to my participation in the Event. I agree to display my number at all times during the Event.
7. I acknowledge that my pin-on number is personal to me and it is non-transferable under any circumstances.
8. I understand and agree that I participate in this Event entirely at my own risk, that I must rely on my own ability in dealing with all hazards, and that I must conduct myself in a manner that is safe for myself and all others throughout the duration of this Event.
9. I agree to retire immediately from the event if ordered to do so by the Event Organisers, any government official or member of the emergency services.
10. I accept full liability for any medical expenses incurred as a result of training for and/or participating in the Event
11. I accept that the Event Organisers, sponsors, race officials, medical advisers and any person involved in the organisation of this Event are not liable for any injury or illness or resultant death that I may suffer as a result of my participation in the Event, whether prior to, during or subsequent to the Event. I enter the race entirely at my own risk. I renounce any rights and claims for damages that I may have against the Event Organisers, sponsors, race officials, medical advisers and any person involved in the organisation of this Event together with their officers, directors, shareholders, successors and assigns, (collectively, “Releasees”) and release them from all liability to the Participant and his/her personal representatives, assigns, heirs, executors, and successors for loss(es), damage(s) and claims therefor on account of injury to Participant or his/her property or the resultant death of Participant, whether caused by the active or passive negligence of the Releasees or otherwise, in connection with Participants involvement in the Event (“Losses”), and further covenants not to sue any of the aforementioned parties for such Losses.
12. Whilst the Event Organisers take every care with the staging of the Event, I accept that I must make all reasonable precautions for the safeguarding of my person and of my property during my participation in this Event. I further acknowledge that personal accident and personal items insurance is my responsibility.
13. I understand that at registration, I must produce photographic identification.
14. I am aware that when running, the function of the marshals is only to indicate direction and that I must decide if the movement is safe.
15. I accept that, in relation to my participation in this Event, I am required to obey instructions from marshals and relevant signage before, during and after the Event.
16. The Event Organisers introduce cut off times for completion of sections of the course as they see fit. These will be made clear prior to the race. Competitors may be instructed to withdraw from the Event in accordance with the imposed cut off times.
17. I accept that the Event Organisers reserve the right to amend the event format or cancel the Event due to health and safety reasons, including storm, rain, inclement weather, winds or any other act of god conditions. I accept that my Entry fee shall be non-refundable in this circumstance as costs have already been incurred.
18. I accept that the Event Organisers will do their utmost to provide me with a finish time following my completion of the Event, however they will not be held responsible for any computer result anomalies.
19. I will be 20 years old or over on the day of the Event (Rule T3 (141) S5 UKA Trail Running).
20. I have read, understood and accept the GB Ultras Ltd Withdrawal Policy.
21. I understand that confirmed entry to this event is dependent on a fully and accurately completed online Entry Form; and receipt of payment to cover my Entry fee at least 10 working days (2 weeks) in advance of the event. If either of these conditions is not fulfilled then my entry will not be valid nor accepted, and I will not be eligible to take part in the Event.
22. Through my completion and submission of the online Entry Form, I am committing to paying for my Event entry via the means as instructed on the GB Ultras Ltd website.
23. I irrevocably consent to my appearance in any media format, in relation to the publicity of this Event, and in future publicity and advertising of GB Ultras Ltd; provided that such use does not imply my direct endorsement of any official sponsor or suppliers of the Event.
24. All decisions and rulings by the Event Organisers, its employees and its agents are considered final.
25. The Event Organisers reserve the right to vary these conditions by giving notice to in writing in any official event material or correspondence prior to the Event.
26. A person who is not party to these Terms shall not have any rights under or in connection with them under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
27. We will not be liable or responsible for any failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of our obligations under the Terms that is caused by events outside our reasonable control (Force Majeure Event).
A Force Majeure Event includes any act, event, non-happening, omission or accident beyond our reasonable control and includes in particular (without limitation) the following: strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action; civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack, war (whether declared or not) or threat or preparation for war; fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake, subsidence, epidemic or other natural disaster; impossibility of the use of railways, shipping, aircraft, motor transport or other means of public or private transport; impossibility of the use of public or private telecommunications networks; the acts, decrees, legislation, regulations or restrictions of any government; and pandemic or epidemic.
28. I have read, understood and accept the GB Ultras Ltd Withdrawal Policy. You agree that we may publish your Personal Information as part of the results of the Event and may pass such information to the governing body or any affiliated organisation for the purpose of insurance, licences or for publishing results either for the event alone or combined with or compared to other events. Results may include (but not be limited to) name, any club affiliation, race times, occupation and age category. Your details may also be passed onto 3rd parties via Live tracking so that your family and friends and the general public can follow every entrants position during the Race.
29. Should a GPS Tracker be damaged, lost or stolen then the entrant agrees to cover the cost of the tracker which is £150 + VAT per GPS tracker.
30. Upon withdrawal or completion of the Race, the runner agrees to return the GPS tracker to the Race Organiser. If a GPS tracker is not returned to a dedicated Race Marshal at Race HQ then the runner will be charged £150 + VAT.
31.  I have read, understood and accept the GB Ultras Ltd Withdrawal Policy.

32.  I agree to abide by the UKA and English Athletics Code of Conduct.

Before the race

Due to the nature of the event, costs are incurred as soon as a participant signs up, no refunds are possible in this event.

We allow deferrals to the following years race or to transfer of your place to another runner subject to the timescales below. Transfers to another runner are also subject to the replacement runner meeting the qualifying criteria for the event (please see the Qualifying Criteria section).
 

Deferrals

Any deferrals to the following years race must be requested by emailing the event team at events@gbultras.com no later than 8 weeks prior to the event subject to payment of an administration fee. 

No deferral requests will be permitted after this time. Click here to pay the Admin Fee.

Please note that a deferral is permitted for one year only (unless due to pregnancy – please see GB Ultras Pregnancy Deferral Policy below).

Pregnancy Deferral

  1. Women who have entered a GB Ultras event and are, or become, pregnant prior to race day can defer entry for up to two years.
  2. Women who fall pregnant again during the deferral period may request another deferral for up to an additional two years.
  3. Partners are also able to defer for one year if the birth is imminent.
  4. To defer please email events@gbultras.com with the medical certificate/medical confirmation of the pregnancy/birth.
  5. All other rules and requirements for race entry will apply.

 

Transfers to another runner

Transfers are possible up until 3 weeks before the Race day providing qualifying criteria is met (marathon experience) and payment of an administration fee. 

No transfer requests will be permitted after this time.  Click here to pay the Admin Fee. 

Participants allowing another person to run under their name and bib no will be in breach of English Athletics code of conduct and will be disqualified.  The organiser must be informed of any change.

Once the administration fee has been paid, please email the team at events@gbultras.com with the following details of the replacement runner:
 
Full name
Date of Birth
Full address and postcode
Mobile
Email address
Running Club (if any)
UKA membership number (if any)
Next of kin name
Next of kin number
 

During the race

Please inform a GB Ultras Race Marshal at one of the Checkpoint’s or Race HQ.  This will ensure all participants who are registered and pull out of the race are accounted for, allowing for the accurate and safe running of the event.  If a participant withdraws at a Checkpoint they must hand over their Race Number & GPS Tracker to the Event team to signal their retirement.  Marshals will inform the race organiser and each of the remaining Checkpoints can update their event documentation.

Upon withdrawal from the race, it is the responsibility of the individual to get themselves home (or to the finish if required). We would recommend having your own Support Crew or someone on standby to collect you in case of unexpected withdrawal during the event.

Where possible, runners withdrawing from the race may be able to be transported by GB Ultras event support from a checkpoint back to Race HQ however this cannot be guaranteed. Priority will be given to runners still participating in the race.

Where it is possible to transport a runner to the finish, this will only be available after a checkpoint closes and therefore may involve a significant wait. In addition, as event teams are deployed to multiple checkpoint locations, transport to Race HQ may involve intermediate stops on route for further (potentially lengthy) periods of time before heading to Race HQ.

GB Ultras also reserve the right to pull any participant out of the race on health grounds.

The results for the event will be available real-time during the event and we’ll update this page with the link prior to the event. 

As each runner crosses the finish line, their race chip records their individual finishing position and finishing time.

Your position and time shown in the results link is your official result. Please note that the tracking system is different to the timing system and has no bearing on your chip time or result.

Play Video

Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 Race Briefing

Play Video

Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 Mandatory Kit

The Route

The route follows the Pennine Way & the Yorkshire 3 Peaks way-marked trails. Additional GB Ultras markers will be in place at key points but should not be relied upon as the trail is well defined and easy to follow for the main.

Pennine Barrier Ultra Reviews

Want to know what previous runners think of the Pennine Barrier Ultra? We’re delighted that likeminded people LOVE or events! The whole team & all our amazing volunteers work really hard all year round to ensure you get the best possible experience on race day with GBUltras.

4.3/5 is pretty good from Racecheck.com

4.3/5

Part Of The 50 Mile Grand Slam

Take on 5 of our 50 Mile Ultra Marathons for the Grand Slam Medal or take on 8 50 Mile Ultra Marathons for the Super Slam & get in to the Hall of Fame

Training Runs

In the lead up to the Race, GB Ultras Running Club organise training runs covering the entire route section by section to help build confidence and prepare runners for the upcoming Pennie Barrier Ultra 50 Mile Race.

There will be a small charge of £19.99 for 1 day or £34.99 for both days for these to cover event team costs. Included is –

  • Fully guided recce run
  • Mandatory kit advice
  • Exclusive group messenger chat for recce and race prep
  • Limited edition buff
  • Meet the team
  • Gain trail experience and knowledge

Pace wise we’ll be going at a nice gentle pace ensuring all runners stay as a group with brief stops approximately every couple of miles.

Generally our training runs have high attendance and for safety reasons we’ll be imposing a limit depending on feedback.

Please take into account weather conditions closer to the time. We recommend runners refer to the Mandatory kit section and carry sufficient food/water for the duration of each of the runs.

Section covered & distance

Covering the 1st and last sections of the Pennine Barrier 50 Mile route. Malham to Pen-y-Ghent out and back, last section via Janet’s Foss waterfall – 25 Miles

Starting point

8:00am – The Buck Inn, Cove Road, Malham, BD23 4DA

Finish point

The Buck Inn, Cove Road, Malham, BD23 4DA

Section covered & distance

Covering the Yorkshire 3 Peaks of Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough – 24 Miles

Starting point

8:00am Horton-in-Ribblesdale Yorkshire Dales Car Park, BD24 0HF

Finish point

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Yorkshire Dales Car Park, BD24 0HF

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