Punk Panther Ripon Stinger

Pick your distance

What you’re in for

Three distances out of the cathedral city in May, on the field paths, tracks and riverside of the Ripon Rowel. The start and finish are at Studley Roger, on the edge of Ripon, and the route takes in Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal water gardens, the River Skell's Valley of the Seven Bridges, and on the 35 Mile the Ure up towards Masham and the woods at Hackfall. The 13 Mile is 22.8km with 226m of climb — the flattest half on the Punk Panther calendar. The 20 Mile is 37.0km and 515m, and the 35 Mile 56.4km with 1,068m. May tends to be dry, the ground is easy, and this is the race to pick if you want the distance without the hills.

Terrain and trail

Field paths, farm tracks, riverside and parkland, with lane sections between. Ripon sits on the lowland east of the Dales, so the ground is grass, gravel and mud rather than rock or peat, and it dries quickly in May. The climbing is gentle and spread out. Taped and flagged the week before as confirmation of the route; carry the route description and GPX the organiser sends. Ultra runners wear a tracker. Straightforward enough that navigation is about attention rather than skill, which is why it suits a first go at 20 or 35 miles.

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Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Ripon, North Yorkshire, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

MODERATE

Nidd Gorge and the Nidderdale Greenway

14.2km · 140m climb · Loop · 12km away

You swap a smooth former-railway path for hidden gorge singletrack above the River Nidd, with a chance of kingfishers and herons and a spectacular seven-arch viaduct on the way.

MODERATE

Hackfall Woods from Swinton Estate

9.8km · 217m climb · Loop · 13km away

Hackfall is a hidden Georgian pleasure ground gone wild, where you run past ruined follies and a fountain hidden deep in the trees above the River Ure. There is nothing else quite like it.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Masham and the River Ure

10.8km · 185m climb · Loop · 13km away

You get a soft, green riverside loop that starts and finishes in Masham's big market square, with two working breweries and a clutch of cafes waiting when you are done.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Harrogate Ringway

32.3km · 434m climb · Loop · 14km away

It rings an entire spa town on green corridors most locals never knew were joined up, so you get a proper long run without leaving Harrogate's doorstep.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Pateley Bridge and Cold Stones Cut

15.4km · 314m climb · Loop · 14km away

You run the length of Gouthwaite Reservoir, one of the best birdwatching waters in the north, with the moors and old lead mines of upper Nidderdale rising on either side.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Pateley Bridge Trail Running Route

13.1km · 281m climb · Loop · 14km away

You run out towards a reservoir famous for its birdlife and back down the upper Nidd valley, framed by moor tops, from one of Yorkshire's most likeable little towns.

Checked Jul 2026

All North Yorkshire routes →

Mandatory kit

• A proper bag to carry it all in — Their words: not a carrier bag
• Waterproof jacket with taped seams
• Enough fluid to reach the next checkpoint
• A cup — There are none at the checkpoints
• Energy bar or other food
• Survival bag — A bag, not a sheet
• Whistle
• Mobile phone, switched on, with the race director and medic numbers saved
• Tracker — Supplied by the organiser for ultra distances, worn at all times
• Hat or buff
• Gloves
• Personal first aid kit
• Printed map and route description — Sent by the organiser before the race

Kit for this race

Picked against the list above. Check the organiser's final instructions before you buy anything.

Mandatory: A proper bag to carry it all in

Rab Veil 6L Running Vest

Rab·vest

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Mandatory: Waterproof jacket with taped seams

Rab Downpour Waterproof Jacket

Rab·waterproof

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Mandatory: A cup

Lifeventure Ellipse Collapsible Cup

Lifeventure·other

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Mandatory: Survival bag

Lifesystems Survival Bag

Lifesystems·other

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Mandatory: Whistle

Lifesystems Mountain Whistle

Lifesystems·other

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Mandatory: Personal first aid kit

Lifesystems Light & Dry Micro First Aid Kit

Lifesystems·other

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How to enter

Common questions

How far is the Ripon Stinger?

The Ripon Stinger offers 3 distances: 13 Mile (20.9 km), 20 Mile (32.2 km), 35 Mile (56.3 km).

How much climbing is in the Ripon Stinger?

The 13 Mile has 226 m of ascent. The 20 Mile has 515 m of ascent. The 35 Mile has 1,068 m of ascent.

How hard is the Ripon Stinger?

13 Mile: Hard. 20 Mile: Very Hard. 35 Mile: Very Hard. Distances are measured off the course file. Where the file carries no elevation, the climb is the organiser's published figure.

Is the Ripon Stinger course marked?

No. The Ripon Stinger is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What kit do I need for the Ripon Stinger?

The organiser's compulsory list is: A proper bag to carry it all in, Waterproof jacket with taped seams, Enough fluid to reach the next checkpoint, A cup, Energy bar or other food, Survival bag, Whistle, Mobile phone, switched on, with the race director and medic numbers saved, Tracker, Hat or buff, Gloves, Personal first aid kit, Printed map and route description.

What are the cut-offs for the Ripon Stinger?

No overall time limit is published. The cut-offs are the checkpoint closing times — arrive after one closes and you are retired. Course closes 19:30. Checkpoints close: North Stainley 10:30, Masham 12:30, High Skelding 16:30.

What is at the checkpoints on the Ripon Stinger?

Water, coke, Fanta, crisps, chocolate and a variety of snacks, with a box for vegan and gluten-free runners — ask at the checkpoint. Three checkpoints: North Stainley, Masham and High Skelding. North Stainley is on all three distances, Masham is ultra only, High Skelding is on the 20 and the 34.

Can I download the Ripon Stinger route?

Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.

When is the next Ripon Stinger?

Sat, 15 May 2027. Entries open.