How far is the Spring Headtorch Half?

The Spring Headtorch Half offers 3 distances: 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), 13 Mile (20.9 km).

How much climbing is in the Spring Headtorch Half?

The 10K has 120 m of ascent. The 13 Mile has 245 m of ascent. No figure yet for the 5K.

How hard is the Spring Headtorch Half?

10K: Moderate. 13 Mile: Hard. Distances are measured off the course file. Where the file carries no elevation, the climb is the organiser's published figure. The 5K isn't graded yet.

What kit do I need for the Spring Headtorch Half?

The organiser's compulsory list is: Head torch, Mobile phone, switched on, with the race director's numbers saved.

Can I download the Spring Headtorch Half 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.

Punk Panther Spring Headtorch Half

Swinsty Reservoir, North YorkshireTue, 23 Mar 2027

A midweek night race round two reservoirs. Head torch essential.

Distance	Ascent	Per km
13 Mile	245 m	12 m
10K	120 m	12 m
5K	—	—

reservoir

Nobody has reviewed this one yet

No reviews of the Spring Headtorch Half, 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.

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Start time not confirmed yet — check with the organiser.

What you’re in for

A midweek night race in March around Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs. Added to the calendar after the first one in 2025 sold out and people asked for another — the organiser's pitch is a chance to race in the dark without getting lost, and the reservoir paths deliver on that. Three distances: a 5K, a 10K of 10.3km with 120m of climb, and the 13 Mile at 21.0km with 245m, which is two laps of the pair. Registration in the evening, start at 19:30, everyone off the course by 23:00. No checkpoints; water after a lap and at the finish, and you bring your own cup.

Terrain and trail

Well-made gravel and tarmac perimeter paths around two adjoining reservoirs, with short wooded sections and a footbridge or two. Flat, drains fast, and impossible to get lost on with a head torch — the water is always on one side. The only hazards are tree roots in the woods and other runners' beams. No taping needed and no navigation: follow the shore. A good head torch and the race director's numbers in your phone are the whole kit list.

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Aid stations

No checkpoints. Water is available after one lap and at the finish — bring your own cup or flask, as there are no cups.

Cut-offs

One cut-off, and it is the end of the event: the race finishes at 23:00. There are no checkpoints to be timed out at.

Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Swinsty Reservoir, North Yorkshire, 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 · Same start

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

Checked Jun 2026

MODERATE

Thruscross Reservoir from Blubberhouses

13.5km · 162m climb · Loop · 2.4km 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 · 2.4km 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

MODERATE

Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir Loop

10.3km · 41m climb · Loop · 2.4km 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

HARD

Thruscross, Fewston and Swinsty from Blubberhouses

23.7km · 195m climb · Loop · 2.4km 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

EASY

Thruscross Reservoir Loop

7.9km · 97m climb · Loop · 4.9km 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 Nidderdale routes →

Mandatory kit

Head torch
Mobile phone, switched on, with the race director's numbers saved

Kit for this race

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

Mandatory: Head torch

Petzl Actik Core Head Torch

Petzl·headtorch

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How to enter

Tue, 23 Mar 2027 · Entries open

Enter via SiEntries ↗

Entries are handled by SiEntries, 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

Common questions

: The Spring Headtorch Half offers 3 distances: 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), 13 Mile (20.9 km).
: The 10K has 120 m of ascent. The 13 Mile has 245 m of ascent. No figure yet for the 5K.
: 10K: Moderate. 13 Mile: Hard. Distances are measured off the course file. Where the file carries no elevation, the climb is the organiser's published figure. The 5K isn't graded yet.
: We haven't confirmed the marking on the Spring Headtorch Half with Punk Panther. Check their race information before you enter rather than assuming it either way.
: The organiser's compulsory list is: Head torch, Mobile phone, switched on, with the race director's numbers saved.
: One cut-off, and it is the end of the event: the race finishes at 23:00. There are no checkpoints to be timed out at.
: No checkpoints. Water is available after one lap and at the finish — bring your own cup or flask, as there are no cups.
: Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.
: Tue, 23 Mar 2027. Entries open.