Rombalds Stride Winter Challenge
Saturday 1st February 2025
Organised by the 15th Airedale Scout Group, the Rombalds Stride Winter Challenge starts and finishes at 15th Airedale Scout Hut next to St. Oswald’s Junior School in Guiseley. The route takes in some of Yorkshire’s finest scenery, going up the Airedale Valley, over Rombalds Moor to Ilkley and across Otley Chevin.
The 23 mile route is to be completed within a 10 hour time limit. Checkpoints will close on a 2mph walking speed.
Disclaimer
15th Airedale Scout Group (Rombalds Stride Winter Challenge) does not accept responsibility for any cost, loss, or injury caused by participating in the Rombalds Stride Winter Challenge. You understand that you should not take part if you are medically unfit or ill on the day. This is a winter challenge over hilly and, in some cases, rough terrain that could result in injury or death.
Prices
| Price | |
|---|---|
| General entry GE w/ T-shirt |
£25 £37 |
| LDWA discount entry LDWA w/ T-shirt |
£23 £35 |
| Scout/Guide entry Scout/Guide w/ T-shirt |
£25 £37 |
Entry includes:
- Tally
- Refreshments (tea, coffee, water, juice; as well as light snacks at refreshment checkpoints)
- Hot meal at finish (please indicate dietry requirements when registering)
- Transport back to HQ if retiring (available only at radio checkpoints, dependent on access)
- Memento for finishing
Rules
Competitors must:
- Abide by the rules, observe the country code and keep to public footpaths & rights of way
- Retire at manned checkpoints only ensuring that Marshals are advised, and hand in their tally
- Visit all checkpoints in the correct order & have Tally card stamped at each
- Obtain written permission from the organisers for any proposed transfer of entries at least one week prior to the event
- Be a minimum age of 12 (for Scout/Guide Association members only) or 18 on the day of the event.
Kit list
It is strongly recommended that competitors carry and/or wear the following on the day:
- Long trousers (no jeans or cords)
- Cagoules
- Over-trousers
- Hat and gloves
- Personal first aid kit
- OS Landranger map 104 or Explorer maps 297 & 298
- Compass
- Bivi bag
- Emergency rations
- Torch
- A mug
- Food and/or drink for the day
Transport
If arriving by road, park vehicles considerately and take care to not cause any obstruction on the narrow streets in and around Guiseley.
Limited parking is available on Netherfield Road near the railway station. Local pubs and shopping park enforce time limits, so please ensure that you can complete the Rombalds Stride within this limit or be prepared to pay the penalty charge.
Alternatively, Guiseley is served by a rail connection to both Leeds and Bradford as well as local busses.
Registration and Start
Competitors must register between 0730 and 0830hrs on the day of the event at HQ to receive their tally. Event briefing is at 08:45hrs, ready for a mass start at 0900hrs at the starting point.
FAQ
Sure! Rombalds Stride is a volunteer-run event – and we’re always looking for people to help out, even if its just an hour or two.
We’re currently looking for volunteers to help out on checkpoints or at HQ.
To learn more, please fill in this form.
Yes, although the quickest and easiest way is to use our online entry form. For details on how to pay by cheque, please Contact Us.
Yes, we accept number transfers up to one week before the event.
Rombalds Stride is a winter challenge, so please pack accordingly! The event is run regardless of rain, sun, wind or snow.
You can see some of our recommended kit list items here.
We close the checkpoints at 2 miles per hour pace or 3.25 km per hour, so long as you can move faster than that you should fine.
Please only retire at manned radio checkpoints, ensuring that marshals and volunteers have been advised and that you have handed in your tally. This way, we know you have retired safely and won’t send out a search party.
If you are uninjured and able to, the quickest way to return to Guiseley is by train from one of the following stations:
- Ilkley
- Ben Rhydding
- Burley in Wharfedale
- Menston
If you are not able to get to the station and/or other methods of transportation are unsuitable, we can arrange transportation. Please be aware that this may take some time, so plan accordingly.
In case of emergency, please inform any marshal or volunteer at any checkpoint, or call the number on the back of your tally card.
Route information and basic directions is available here.
A GPX of the route and event checkpoints is available at the bottom of this page.
*The file is hosted on Google Drive.
Event results will be added on a separate page in due course.
For other questions, queries or comments (including website feedback), please fill in this form.
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