A running event like no other, the Heights Ultra Trail (HUT) is back again for 2023 on the 2nd September. Taking in the fantastic (but tough) vistas of the Colne and Holme valleys, runners (and walkers) will experience the very best of Yorkshire’s off road trails taking in the northern Peak District and National Trust Marsden Moor.

An all inclusive event, there are 4 distances (or challenges some may say!) to choose from: 1 mile, 10 kilometres, 50 kilometres or 50 miles; all of which enjoy the finest scenery in beautiful West Yorkshire and fully supported with a water station for the 10K and aid stations plus open tracking for the Ultras.

Starting at Colne Valley High School (Huddersfield) means there’s plenty of free parking with toilet and wash room facilities. Pre-race briefs are an integral part for all distances in this professional event, it’s run like clockwork with plenty of volunteers to help anyone who may be taking part in their first ever organised race.  

Founded primarily in response to the schools agenda to improve physical activity and promoting wellbeing, the day also incorporates the “HUT Festival”. Raising money for 3 schools within the local community (Clough Head, Wellhouse & Wilberlee J&I Schools), local business stalls (including running, clothing, craft, food and drink) are present, alongside entertainment for the supporters throughout the day – so it’s also a great family and friends day out too.

Why enter? What’s not to love! Whether a first timer or well-seasoned event runner (or walker!), the HUT event caters for all: well organised, stunning scenery on runnable trails across a variety of distances and at affordable prices; all wrapped up in a local community style festival. It’s an event that should be in anyone’s diary for 2023.

Review from 2022 entrant:

“This course was pure quality, well thought out to challenge you and keep you on your toes hitting you with a fine selection of terrain. Without a doubt a Grade A 50K. At the finish, people were sat on the grass cheering you over the line, craft beers and lager were available to buy and people were taking full advantage chatting together and reliving the event. A relaxed and chilled way to end the day. Totally recommend this event and will be back next year for more!”

Runners and walkers alike can enter the HUT on Racebest or the HUT website: heightsultratrail.co.uk

Costs: 

• 50 miles – £60-£72 (https://racebest.com/races/eyye5)
• 50 kilometres – £45-£57 (https://racebest.com/races/ufw5r)
• 10 kilometres – £19-£30 (https://racebest.com/races/55tfg)
• 1 mile – £5 (https://racebest.com/races/y7xu9)  

Heights Ultra Trail is affiliated to Heights Federation, three small schools: Clough Head Junior and Infant School, Wellhouse Junior and Infant School and Wilberlee Junior and Infant School. Together known as The Heights Federation.

Clough Head and Wellhouse federated together in 2008 and Wilberlee joined the Federation in 2014. The Heights Federation were the first small schools Federation in Kirklees. The three schools are approximately one mile apart from each other and so it is relatively easy to plan visits between the school sites.

The benefits of federating are extremely evident and the schools enjoy working closely together to provide extended learning opportunities and events. As three small schools, with relatively small budgets, it enables resources to be ‘pooled’ effectively to provide more educational experiences, including visits, residentials and visitors into school.

In terms of learning opportunities, the benefits of federating are endless. As small schools there are only a few children in each year group and have mixed-age classes. Through federating there are opportunities for year groups from each school to learn together and for pupils to work alongside each other in their peer groups.

The Federation also means sharing expertise and good practice in each school and allows staff to work together to develop skills, knowledge and teaching provision.

The federation proves to be a success and always looks forward to the extended opportunities it can offer now and in the future which will impact positively upon standards and pupil achievement.

For further information about the event, please contact:

Neil Hill – neil.hill@kirkleeseducation.uk / 07810 862278

Andrew Swales on (andrew@andrewswales.co.uk / 07795 344226