Washburn Valley Relays – Back for 2025!

We are pleased to announce that we have been given permission by Yorkshire Water to hold the relays this year on the 18th July. There will be a limit of 40 teams and further information will be sent to interested clubs nearer the time.

Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the junior relays this year and will continue to work with Yorkshire Water with a view to, hopefully, reintroducing them in 2026.

The race will take place on Friday 18th July in the beautiful area around Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs, – north of Otley. The start time is 19:00.

The Senior Washburn Valley Relay is run over three different stages between 3 and 4 miles in length.

WVR Route Map Adults

Entries

Yorkshire Water have placed a limit the event to 40 adult teams. Because the race usually reaches its limit we prefer entries a week in advance to help with results and to avoid disappointment- however we can usually manage a small number of entries on the night.

This is a popular location for walkers and we request that clubs car share to limit pressure on parking spaces at the Swinsty Car Park, please note that parking charges now apply to this carpark and the machines only accept card. This is adjacent to the dam between the two reservoirs.

Entry forms will be sent out 4 – 6 weeks before the event. If your club hasn’t previously taken part please contact our Club Secretary. Only UKA affiliated clubs will be permitted to enter.

There a prizes and a trophy for the 1st mens, ladies, and mixed teams.

Event History

This event, based upon an idea by the late Otley AC member Phil Dean, has been held regularly since the early 1990’s.

The relay is now split into three different routes on public footpaths, bridleways and a small amount of road in the scenic Washburn Valley. Every stage starts and finishes at the Yorkshire Water car park.

Up to 2004, the race was staged over 5 legs but this was reduced to 4 legs in 2005 because teams were finishing in the dark. For similar reasons in 2008 it was decided to drop to 3 stages. Since 2019, we have been unable to hold the race, first due to covid restrictions then due to Yorkshire Water restrictions and we are delighted that they have agreed to letting us go ahead in 2025.

The race is NOT marshalled apart from the road sections over the dam. There will be limited marking of the course so it is advised (even though the routes are relatively simple) to recce the route beforehand if you are unfamiliar with the location. There are three trophies, namely the Tony Allen Trophy for the winning male team, the Joyce Smith Trophy for the winning female team, and The Divan Centre Cup for the first mixed team including at least one lady. The presentation takes place after the race in car park.

2018 Results, three race records for 2018, Mens and Ladies team records for Harrogate and Leg 1 for Andy Grant Harrogate.

Results Archive