Marathon 145 - Punk Panther Christmas Cracker.

Otley, 07:30, Saturday 13th December 2025

Routes available – 12 mile, 19 mile and 32 mile

When my Ripon Runner friend Annette said she was doing this with Kate, I was very interested, I thought I would join them on the 19 mile, out and back route, then on mentioning it to my friend Jonathon at Bedale, he asked why I wasn’t doing the 32. I thought about it and decided to enter the 32 mile race. It was a good way to try out some of my kit for the Northern Traverse, and a good way to get a long run in before Christmas, as I have to be honest, I wouldn’t have don a run of that distance or elevation on my own.

I used my bigger pack and added extra clothing to the mandatory kit list. I dug out my Santa dress and hat as it was encouraged to wear fancy dress. I planned to wear waterproof socks, but they made my trainers too snug so I reverted back to my Injinji toe socks with dry max on top combination.

The race start was 07:30 in Otley so that made for an early start. The forecast was for cold and dry weather which made a change from the amount of rainy days that we have had in recent weeks.

I found the start venue and registered, then caught up with Jonathan old friends whilst we waited in the warm for the race start including Lucy who was sweeping the 19 mile route. Donna who was sweeping the £2 mile and Darren who was sweeping the 12 mile route. I didn’t see Annette or Kate, but the hall was busy, as all three distances started at the same time. Following awards for the Punk Panther race series, it was time to walk to the start, it was still dark. I met Caroline from ripon runners near the start, she was doing the 12 mile option. Then Annette found me just as we set off. It was still quite dark but the streetlights meant that a torch was not required. We went along the River Wharfe, crossed a bridge, ran through a park and the set off up Farnley Lane.

We crossed a soggy waterlogged field, popping out by Farnley Church.

  It was light by now and I was running close to Annette and Kate.

 

 We crossed the road and had a long downhill on road, I recognised this section as the reverse of the Otley 10. We left the road and started to climb muddy fields and the terrain was now an undulating mix of lanes and sodden fields, about 4 miles in, the first runners from the 12 mile were running back towards us, just after 5 miles Caroline was heading towards me,I greeted her as she sped past on her way back to Otley. I was finding the terrain quite draining.

 

Shortly after passing the 6 mile checkpoint at Norwood Edge, where many runners were turning back, I met up with Neil. Neil was on the ultra route too. We were travelling at a similar pace and ended up staying together for the rest of the race.

 

A few steep ups and downs brought us to the 9.5 mile checkpoint. We had met a few people returning o the 19 mile route on our way there. At the checkpoint at Timble Crossing, it was great to catch up with Sheena who was volunteering. The checkpoint was well stocked with a variety of snacks, my favourite was cheese and pineapple. Neil and I left the checkpoint and carried on to run a loop of the moors, the trail soon turned to bog, there was no obvious trail so we just had to make our way through, we gave up trying to stay dry.

The views were stunning, bright blue skies and a low winter sun lit up our surroundings. We negotiated a variety of gates and stiles as we made our way to the third checkpoint at Langbar. As we approached we saw a dozen or so santas on motorcycles, and then we rounded the bend to see the checkpoint with the volunteers were in fancy dress. Another well stocked checkpoint, I turned down the offer of mulled wine or baileys hot chocolate, and went for the teacake jam sandwiches and jelly babies and off we went again.

Half way, we were now on the way back. Psychologically getting halfway always gives me a boost. We could see the top of Beasley Beacon so of course the route took use down and away before we could tackle the ascent. At the top was a cairn and a trigpoint. The trig point was also a memorial to a Canadian plane crew from RAF Leeming who were killed or injured  on 5th November 1945 when their Afro Lancaster RA571crashed.

 We were at the highest point of the route, down hill all the way back, well not really. Down, up, down, wading through bogs and slipping in muddy fields and farmyards. We chatted our way back to Timble Crossing and then Norwood Edge.

 Six miles to go and the sun was sinking rapidly. We made it all the way back to Farnley lane before we needed headtorches. Back though the park we trotted, back along the river, across the football field, and back to the finish.

We were very happy to complete the route and to sit in the warm with a brew and a cheese toastie, 2 new friends who came together and shared a marathon on a bright winter’s day.

I had hoped for under 8 hours 30, I didn’t manage that with a time of 9:13:55

I’m sure all my friends had a good run too results are here. 

https://www.punkpanther.co.uk/results

I’m not unhappy though. I challenged myself and had a good day out.

I highly recommend Punk Panther events, they are ver well organised and friendly.