How far is the Grim Reservoir Dogs?

The Grim Reservoir Dogs offers 2 distances: 3.3 Mile (5.3 km), 6.7 Mile (10.8 km).

Is the Grim Reservoir Dogs course marked?

Yes, the course is marked. Navigation skills are not required.

When is the next Grim Reservoir Dogs?

Sat, 7 Nov 2026, 08:15. Entries open.

It's Grim Up North Running The Grim Reservoir Dogs

Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near OtleySat, 7 Nov 2026

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.

Distance	Ascent	Per km
6.7 Mile	—	—
3.3 Mile	—	—

reservoirwoodlandMarked course

Nobody has reviewed this one yet

No reviews of the Grim Reservoir Dogs, 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 review

Running 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

starts 08:30

What you’re in for

A run with your dog round Swinsty and Fewston: one 3.3-mile loop or two. A fun dog race on a lead, not run under canicross rules, on the same November morning as the Lakeside Dash. The course is the 6.7-mile loop of Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs in the Washburn Valley above Otley, a figure of eight on the well-kept perimeter paths, with the shorter events using the 3.3-mile Swinsty half of it. Pay-and-display parking at the North Lane car park next to registration.

Terrain and trail

Well-made gravel and tarmac reservoir paths with short woodland sections, tree roots, a footbridge or two and a couple of gentle rises — undulating rather than hilly. Fast, dry ground most of the year and the prettiest Grim venue in autumn. Wet leaves over roots are the thing to watch in November. The events are cup-less, so bring your own cup or bottle for the water at the finish. Over-ear headphones are not allowed, and there may be an unmarshalled road crossing.

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Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near Otley, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

EASY

Fewston Reservoir Loop

5.2km · 21m climb · Loop · 0.7km away

A short and beautiful run around this picturesque reservoir in the Washburn Valley

Checked Jun 2026

HARD

Thruscross, Fewston and Swinsty from Blubberhouses

23.7km · 195m climb · Loop · 2.2km away

Three reservoirs, one long run, and some of the best-maintained trail surfaces in the north. This is what you do when you want big distance without big hills.

Checked Jun 2026

MODERATE

Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir Loop

10.3km · 41m climb · Loop · 2.3km away

Two reservoirs for the price of one, connected by well-graded Yorkshire Water tracks. Quiet, well-maintained, and a reliable choice when everywhere else is ankle-deep.

Checked Jun 2026

MODERATE

Thruscross Reservoir from Blubberhouses

13.5km · 162m climb · Loop · 2.3km away

The middle option in the Washburn Valley reservoir series - more commitment than the short loops but less than the full three-reservoir circuit. Thruscross from below gives the valley its proper context.

Checked Jun 2026

EASY

Swinsty Reservoir Loop

6.3km · 27m climb · Loop · 2.3km away

The smallest of the Washburn Valley reservoir circuits. Straightforward, reliable, and the kind of route that gets used regularly rather than just once.

Checked Jun 2026

EASY

Thruscross Reservoir Loop

7.9km · 97m climb · Loop · 4.8km away

Thruscross sits above the rest of the valley and feels it - more open, more exposed, and noticeably quieter than Swinsty and Fewston below. Worth the extra 5 minutes drive.

Checked Jun 2026

All routes near Ilkley →All North Yorkshire routes →

How to enter

Sat, 7 Nov 2026 · Entries open · £18–£29

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 · with the start time

Common questions

: The Grim Reservoir Dogs offers 2 distances: 3.3 Mile (5.3 km), 6.7 Mile (10.8 km).
: No course file for the Grim Reservoir Dogs yet, so there's no measured climb here. When It's Grim Up North Running publish one, this fills in.
: Not graded yet. A TRP grade is worked out from distance and climb measured off the course file, and there isn't one for the Grim Reservoir Dogs yet.
: Yes, the course is marked. Navigation skills are not required.
: We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the Grim Reservoir Dogs. It's Grim Up North Running confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.
: We don't hold published time limits for the Grim Reservoir Dogs. If It's Grim Up North Running set cut-offs, they'll be in the race information.
: We don't hold a checkpoint list for the Grim Reservoir Dogs. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the It's Grim Up North Running race information rather than turning up expecting food.
: Not yet — we don't hold a course file for the Grim Reservoir Dogs. Some organisers only send the GPX to entrants. If we get one, it goes up free, with no sign-up.
: Sat, 7 Nov 2026, 08:15. Entries open.