It's Grim Up North Running Glorious Gargrave
A flat out-and-back on the Leeds & Liverpool towpath at Gargrave on the edge of the Dales, 5k to marathon, six and a half hours. A tougher towpath than most, they say.
| Distance | Ascent | Per km |
|---|---|---|
| 42.2 km Marathon | — | — |
| 21.1 km Half Marathon | — | — |
| 10K | — | — |
| 5K | — | — |
Nobody has reviewed this one yet
No reviews of the Glorious Gargrave, and nothing on what people wore. Both are things no organiser publishes and every runner wants before they enter — how it actually went, and what was on your feet.
Ran it? Write the first reviewRunning it soon? Connect Strava and we will ask you about it the day you finish, so you do not have to remember to come back.
Pick your distance
6h 30m cut-off, which needs 78:00/km
Start time not confirmed yet — check with the organiser.
What you’re in for
The May race at Gargrave, 5k to marathon on the towpath at the edge of the Dales. The course is the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath at Gargrave on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, an out-and-back turning at a marshal. The canal here is at its summit level and its prettiest, with the fells of Malhamdale in view. The marathon is two laps of the half.
Terrain and trail
The organiser calls it a tougher towpath than most and it is: more grass and stone than tarmac, uneven in places, and muddy after rain. Still flat, still a canal, but a trail shoe is the right call and a PB is not the point. Six and a half hours for every distance. Feed stations roughly every three miles with drinks, sweets and cake, and the events are cup-less, so bring your own cup or bottle. A GPX is supplied and not every junction has a marshal, so know where the turn is. Over-ear headphones are not allowed, and some road crossings are unmarshalled.

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6.5 hours for every distance.
Train for it: routes near the start
Routes starting within 20 km of Gargrave, North Yorkshire, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.
HARD
MODERATE
MODERATE
EASY
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A run with your dog round Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs on good woodland trail, one 3.3-mile loop or two. A fun dog race, not run under canicross rules.
Entries open
£18–£29
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Swinsty & Fewston Lakeside Dash
Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near Otley · It's Grim Up North Running
The 6.7-mile loop of Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs on well-kept trail, run once, twice, three or four times for the half, the twenty and the marathon. Everything starts at nine.
Entries open
£29–£43
7
Nov
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Moonlight Meander
Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near Otley · It's Grim Up North Running
Swinsty and Fewston in the pitch dark: one or two laps of the 3.3-mile woodland loop by head torch, fairy lights and whatever else you bring.
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£17–£29
14
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Yorkshire Weekend Saunter in Kirkstall
Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Wyther Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds · It's Grim Up North Running
Five, ten or a half along the Leeds & Liverpool towpath from Kirkstall on a weekend morning, at your own pace, with places on the day.
Entries open
£18–£34
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Rothwell Kebabathon
Skelton Lake Services, M1 junction 45, Leeds · It's Grim Up North Running
Five-mile loops of Rothwell Country Park from Skelton Lake services, woodland, riverside and grass with one climb for the view of Leeds, and a kebab at the end. Five to twenty-six miles.
Entries open
£28–£43
12
Dec
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Crikey, It's the Christmas Cracker Day 1
Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Wyther Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds · It's Grim Up North Running
Day one of the Christmas weekend at Kirkstall: 5k to marathon on the flat Leeds & Liverpool towpath with music and food at race HQ. Run one day or both.
Entries open
£18–£43
Other races near here
North Yorkshire races →Races from other organisers starting within 30 km of Gargrave, North Yorkshire, nearest first.
10
Apr
2027

Skipton Skedaddle
Skipton, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther · 4 miles away
Out of the market town and into the Dales — Malham Tarn, Gordale Scar and Pen-y-ghent on the long one.
HARD TO VERY HARD
Entries open
7
Aug
2027
provisional

Dales Dazzler
Skipton, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther · 4 miles away
Skipton to the Pennine Way, Malham Tarn and back down the Dales Way. Fifty miles if you want it.
HARD TO EXPERT
Not open yet
4
Sept
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Malham Trail Races
Malham Show Field, Malham, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 5 miles away
From the Show Field at Malham into limestone country above the cove.
HARD
Entries open
1
May
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Pennine Barrier Ultra 50
Malham, North Yorkshire · GB Ultras · 6 miles away
Fifty hard Dales miles out of Malham.
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How to enter
Sat, 15 May 2027 · Entries open · £18–£43
Enter on their website ↗Entries are handled by It's Grim Up North Running, not by us. We take nothing for sending you there.
Add to your calendar · as an all-day entry, until the start time is confirmed

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Common questions
- The Glorious Gargrave offers 4 distances: 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), Half Marathon (21.1 km / 13.1 miles), Marathon (42.2 km / 26.2 miles).