The Cake Race

Event Overview

The Cake Race is a fell race scheduled for May 2, 2026, based at the Diggle Hotel in Saddleworth. Entry fees are £8 for FRA members and £10 for non-members. Online entries open on January 16, 2026, and close on April 29, 2026. Entry on the day may be available, subject to a capacity limit of 300 participants, and payment must be made in cash. Registration opens at the Diggle Hotel.

Route and Format

The course is a 10-mile BM category fell race with 1,700 feet of ascent. The route crosses open moorland, passing areas of industrial heritage and Pennine farmland. The terrain is mainly on flagged paths, tracks, and trails, going over the Pennines and back. The event has an early start option for participants who anticipate taking over 1 hour and 50 minutes, followed by a mass start.

A mandatory cut-off point is in place at Butterley Reservoir in Marsden. Participants who have not passed this point 1.5 hours after the race start may be asked to retire from the event for safety reasons.

Requirements

This is a fell race and is not aimed at fun runners or those inexperienced with trail or fell running. All participants are required to carry full mandatory kit, which includes a waterproof top with a hood, waterproof bottoms with taped seams, a hat, gloves, a compass, a map, and a whistle. Kit checks will be performed, and the use of GPS devices is permitted.

Additional Information

After finishing, participants are offered cakes and tea. There is also a cake competition; runners are invited to bring a cake to be judged for best tasting and best decoration, with prizes awarded in these categories. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.