It’s Grim Up North’s Black Sheep Challenge, 3 or 6 hour. 06/07/2025

 

I have taken part in this event a few times and always recommend it to others, a trail 3.5-mile loop, do as many as you want in 3 or 6 hours. If you finish a lap before your time limit, you can do another lap.

 

Sheltering from the rain at the start.

When you choose to finish you get your medal, a sausage sandwich, cake and a bottle of beer.

The event starts and finishes on the field by the river and cricket club at Masham at 09:30. It now has a timing mat and chips on your number, so lap bands are not needed.

 

Having ran 86 miles last week at Endure 24, I was not sure how my legs and energy levels would be until I started, but I wanted at least a marathon (my 139th) of 6 hours, which ever came sooner.

I was steady throughout and completed 4 laps (13.5 miles) under 3 hours. The weather was warm and humid with sporadic showers. The course had 5 gates, 4 stiles and a set of steps. As the laps passed I was aware that I was slowing but not too much and completed 8 laps (27.5 miles) with minutes to spare. The organisers asked if I wanted to go back out again, but I knew I was slowing and didn’t want Marshalls out in the deteriorating weather waiting for me. I had done what I came to do.

Results

I was 5th female in the 6 hour event, and 1st in my age cat.

https://my.raceresult.com/349927/

 

 

Next year’s race is on 05/07/2026

https://www.itsgrimupnorthrunning.co.uk/e/baaaaaaaa-its-black-sheep-11620