The Stoop

The Stoop

The Stoop takes place on Sunday 20 December 2026 at Penistone Hill Country Park, with registration at the Cricket Hut, West End Cricket Club (GR 023 363). The senior event is for over 16s only.

The senior course covers approximately 4.9 miles with about 700 ft of ascent and is classified BM. The route starts from the quarry bottom on Penistone, follows a track past Drop Farm, then a footpath to Harbour Lodge. Participants cross the beck, follow the path around the lodge, climb through heather to the Standing Stone (the Stoop), round the Stoop and return down through boggy ground to the track near Drop Farm before finishing on the cricket pitch. Runners are advised to use the right hand footbridge beside Harbour Lodge because the left hand bridge is unsafe.

Organisers advise that full kit may be required, especially for seniors; suggested items include a waterproof jacket with hood, leggings, hat and gloves. If a decision is made that kit is required, participants without required kit will not be allowed to run. The senior race is part of the Wooodentops Race Series alongside Withins Skyline and Stanbury Splash and will use chip timing for these races.

Entry on the day costs £10; pre-entry is available for a reduced fee. Teams of three enter free. All entrants receive a Santa hat and free coffee and biscuits are provided. Prize giving is held after the race outside the cricket hut. Prize categories include first ten men and ladies, age-group vets, U21, team prizes and spot prizes. The prize list may be scaled back if fewer than 200 senior runners participate. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.