The Ebor Way

Great Owl Running presents The Ebor Way. The Ebor Way is a 70-mile (112 km) long-distance footpath from Helmsley, North Yorkshire to Ilkley, West Yorkshire, via the city of York, England. It takes its name from Eboracum, the Roman name for York. The Inaugural Ebor Way Event will host the LXX Ultra. A 70km ultra trail starting at York Minster at 8am on Saturday 3rd May 2025. Joining the LXX will be the Marathon starting in Wetherby and the XX Trail starting in Eccup. All races will finish in Ilkley at the starting point of the Dales Way. Entrants will have to reach Ilkley by 9pm meaning a fairly generous 13 hour time limit for the LXX, a 9 hour time limit for the marathon and a 6 hour time limit for the XX Trail.

EVENT DETAILS

Start Location See Below
Finish Location Clarke Foley Community Club, Ilkley, LS29 9DZ (all races)
Licence XXXX - event is held under UKA Rules
Terrain Ebor Way Footpath / Trail
Entry Limit 150
Minimum Age 20
Early Birds from £25

EBOR WAY LXX ULTRA

Race Start INOV8 York Store
Distance ~73km / 41 miles
Elevation ~1000m
Registration 07:00
Start Times 08:00
Course Close 21:00 (13 hr time limit)

EBOR WAY xxvi.ii TRAIL MARATHON

Race Start Wetherby TBC
Distance 42km / 26.2 miles
Elevation ~850m
Registration 11:00 Wetherby
Start Times 12:00
Course Close 21:00 (9 hr time limit)

EBOR WAY XX SUPER TRAIL

Race Start Surprise View, Otley Chevin
Distance 20km / 12 miles
Elevation ~550m
Registration 14:00 Surprise View
Start Times 15:00
Course Close 21:00 (6 hr time limit)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Entry To The Race
Support at a number of checkpoints along the route
Bag Transport
Event Medical Cover
Free Hot Meal at the finish
Wooden Ebor Way Medal

ABOUT THE EBOR WAY

Taking its name from Eboracum, Roman York. From Helmsley it heads southwards to Hovingham and crosses undulating farmland to Strensall, from where the River Foss is followed to York. The city is crossed on the path along its medieval walls and is left along the banks of the River Ouse.

Speaking of Helmsley - The Full Helmsley to Ilkley Ebor Way CXX 120km Ultra with a 24 hour time limit will be launched in 2026, (lets crawl before we can run!)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You must have completed at least one marathon or ultra marathon within the last 4 years and be able to give example upon entering.

KIT REQUIREMENTS

Mandatory

Hat
Gloves
Waterproof Jacket with taped seams
Capacity for 500 ml water or sports drink to be carried
Headtorch/Torch
Whistle
Emergency food supply (chocolate/energy bar)
GPX Route on phone, watch or printed map (not provided)
Survival Bag or Foil blanket
Mobile phone
Cup for drinks at aid stations and the finish

Recommended kit

Spare Gloves
Buff or similar
GPS
Full leg cover (eg running tights)

BAG TRANSPORT

At registration you will leave a finish bag that will be transported to the finish.
 

CREW

Crews are allowed. You may only crew your runner at an official checkpoint and not at random points through the course.

There will a document for your crew available ahead of race day with instructions and rules for each checkpoint.

PACERS

Pacers / buddy runners are allowed and may join runners if needed (LXX Only)
Pacers must not accompany you at finish line of the race so as not to confuse our timekeepers.
Pacers are welcome to aid station food and water.
Pacers must not physically aid their runner outside of aid stations.
No Muling: ALL Runners must carry all mandatory kit themselves and any runners found to have used pacers as mules will be disqualified.

SHOPS

You ARE allowed to visit any shops, cafes, petrol stations, pubs etc on the route.

NAVIGATION

The Ebor Way will not be marked and require self navigation. Any deviations from the footpath will be signposted.
The GPX files are available and runners will be required to carry a printed race map. It is ultimately the runners responsibility to navigate the course successfully.
Recces are recommended.

CHECKPOINTS / AID STATIONS

30km Wetherby
62km Surprise View

TIME LIMIT / CUT OFFs

LXX - Wetherby - 16:00 (8 hours)
We will have a strict but generous and fair procedure in place to ensure the safety of our volunteers. We want the race to be completed in full by as many participants as possible.

Prize Categories

TBC

TRAVEL

TBC

VOLUNTEERS

This race will require plenty of volunteers, and plenty of roles are available including some running roles. Roles include fully mobile checkpoint teams, aid station crew, finish crew, race timing, tail running crew, drivers. If you are interested please check out the link below.

Results

2025 Results