Punk Panther Welcome Way

Event Overview

The Punk Panther Welcome Way is a trail race on Saturday, 14 March 2026. The event starts and finishes at Otley Common, Boroughgate, in Otley. Registration is at The Bridge Church on Cattle Market Street, Otley. Parking is available at the Craftsman Tools Car Park on Bremner Street.

The Route

The course largely follows the circular Welcome Way trail. It passes through moorland landscapes, alongside rivers, canals, and reservoirs, and across farmland and woodland. High points include Otley Chevin, Burley Moor, and Baildon Moor. The route is waymarked but runners are advised not to rely solely on taped signage for navigation. Provisional GPX files are available online, with final route details emailed to competitors before the event.

Distances

Four race distances are offered:

• Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
• 20 Mile Trail Race
• 34 Mile Ultramarathon
• 50 Mile Ultramarathon

The course climbs are listed as 1360, 2280, 4240, and 6000 feet for each respective distance. The event qualifies for ITRA and UTMB points.

Race Details

There are staggered start times from Garnet's Field: 07:00 for ultramarathons, 07:30 for the half marathon, and 08:00 for the 20-mile race. Registration opens earlier, with separate times for each distance. A race brief takes place at registration before participants walk to the start.

Multiple checkpoints provide water, cola, energy bars, and crisps. Checkpoints have opening and closing times; runners arriving after closing are retired from the race. The 50-mile course has additional checkpoints and permits a non-returnable drop bag at CP3.

All ultramarathon entrants are supplied with a tracker; half marathon and 20-mile runners can hire one. A mandatory kit list applies to all distances and includes a waterproof jacket, survival bag, whistle, mobile phone, head torch (for ultras), and other safety items. Random kit checks are conducted on the course.

Participant Information

Entry is online only; entries close on Sunday, 1 March 2026. The event has a maximum of 300 entrants and a minimum age of 18. Entry fees vary by distance. Trophies are awarded, and details are available on the organizer's website.

Dogs are permitted for runners subject to specific rules, but are not allowed at registration or inside the cricket club at the finish. Safety support runners and buddy runners are permitted under defined guidelines.

At the finish, every participant receives a medal and an event T-shirt. Food includes homemade pie, cheese toasties, 10-bean chilli (suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets), hot drinks, and snacks. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.