Crackpots Trail Run
Sun 8 Jun 2025 Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK

Crackpots Trail Run

The award winning 10km-ish trail run is back for a third year and takes in quiet country lanes, off-road trails, moorland and rivers within Nidderdale AONB as part of the annual village Family Fete.

  • Sun 8 Jun 2025
Highside Playing Fields, Ripon

Crackpots Trail Run

10:30

£20-£22

Age 15 & over

  • 11 km trail running

Overview

The Crackpots Trail Run is an award-winning event for runners of all abilities - receiving a Gold Award in 2023 for top runner reviews!

It's an undulating mixed-terrain route that takes in quiet country roads, off-road trails, scenic moorland and a few fun river crossings.

runner

The run is part of the Kirkby Malzeard Family Fete with street food, real ale bar, live music, artisan market and loads more! 

Highlights

  • Fantastic event experience

    Cracking route, beautiful scenery and fabulous atmosphere.

  • Village Fete weekend

    Plenty for family and non-runners to do.

  • Zumba warm-up

    Get into the spirit of the day with an upbeat mass warm-up.

  • Fully marshaled

    The friendliest marshals in Yorkshire - rated 4.94/5 on Racecheck.

  • Way-marked route

    Flags every 100 metres - no need for navigating.

  • Delicious pie and cuppa

    Local refreshments waiting for you at the finish line.

  • Cash prizes and spot prizes

    Not just for the fastest, there are some prizes any runner can win!.

  • Five water crossings

    To add a splash of fun to the route.

Hard to say what can be improved ... Definitely hope to be back next year. James H, 2023 runner.

Event video

  • All fitness levels
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Free venue entry
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Traders at event

This new trail run is part of the Kirkby Malzeard Family Fete and is jam-packed with activities for all ages and non-runners!

  • Bag storage
  • Bar
  • Cafe
  • Changing facilities
  • Entertainment
  • Free parking
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Highside Playing Fields
Back Lane
Kirkby Malzeard
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 3SH
UK

Parking

Free parking will be available in the village a short walk from the start/finish line.

Camping

Ivy Bank Campsite in the village has pitches for caravans, tents and motorhomes as well as glamping and 'Yorkshire' hot-tubs too!

Nearby attractions

Brimham Rocks, Ripon Cathedral and Fountains Abbey UNESCO World Heritage Site are all close by.

BRIMHAM ROCKS
FOUNTAINS ABBEY

  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Marshals
  • No cut off time
  • Out and back
  • Single start
  • Sweeper
  • Undulating
  • Water stations
  • Way markers

Route highlights

  • Village playing fields start
  • Crackpots Mosaic Trail
  • Ripon Rowel Walk
  • Views across Nidderdale
  • Views over the North York Moors including Roseberry Topping
  • Fast downhill finish on tarmac
views

Route map

map

Route description

The route has been put together, tried and tested by local trail running vets and is a mix of quiet country lanes, footpaths, bridleways, byways and river crossings (bridges for some!).

Starting at Highside Playing Fields in Kirkby Malzeard, the route heads west along country lanes towards Kirkby Malzeard Moor for a gentle warm up before taking to the trails.

Following parts of the infamous Crackpots Mosaic Trail and Ripon Rowel Walk routes, the route gradually climbs to the highest point at the 6km mark - with fantastic views across Nidderdale to the west and the North York Moors as far as Roseberry Topping to the east.

It's mostly downhill from there with a few little bumps and river crossings on the way before hitting the tarmac just after 9km for a fast downhill finish back into the village for your free cuppa and pie.

mosaic
mosaic
mosaic

  • Bring your own cup
  • Plastic bottle free

Plastic bottle-free event - please bring your own cup for water.

  • Cash prizes
  • Chip timing
  • Map
  • Medal
  • Post-race meal
  • Vouchers

Included

  • Chip timing

     Our friends at Even Splits are providing chip timing so you'll get an accurate finish time.

  • Unique medal

     This year, finishers will be awarded a very special, local medal.

  • Cuppa

    There'll be a free cuppa waiting for you at the finish line.

  • Food

    And if you're feeling peckish there will be a free pork or veggie pie.

  • Parking

    Free parking is also included in the entry fee.

  • Beat the record

    Can you beat the course times set last year?

  • Fully marshaled and way-marked

    No need to navigate - there are flags every 100m.

  • Water station

    Bring your own cup for the water stop on route.

  • Family Fete atmosphere

    Cross the line to friendly local support.

  • Loads to do

    Festival activities, playground on site, free tennis courts, playing field and more.

  • Mosaic Trail

    Chance for a whistlestop tour of some of The Crackpots Mosaic Trail.

  • Fun day out

    Refreshments,  great prizes and live music.

Spot prizes!

Just like last year, we've got some fantastic spot prizes lined up that any runner can win!

  • Yorkshire Dales Glamping

    Luxury glamping for one night at dark skies site Little Seed Field. Relax and unwind in a log cabin complete with luxury beds and log stove. πŸ•οΈ

  • Andrea Mosey painting

    Win a limited edition fine art framed print from this local award-winning artist known for dramatic big cloudy skies and wide open spaces.

Cash prizes!

  • Β£50

    There's a Β£50 cash prize for the fastest male, fastest female, fastest local and fastest club!

  • Β£30

    And for second fastest male and female, we've got Β£30 cash up for grabs.

  • Β£20

    And last (or third) but not least, there's Β£20 cash for the third fastest male and female.

  • Age 15 & over
  • 250 places
  • Entries not yet open
  • Collect race pack
  • Enter online

2025 fees to be confirmed.

Gold award

A challenging run with fantastic views throughout. Gteat route signage and marshalling. Would definitely recommend and participate again. Ian C

A very well organised and great day out. Jan S

I had the best day! From arrival at the village, at the start of the race, through the hills to the finish… where we enjoyed our pies! The race village was great. Loved the stalls. The Marshalls were THE BEST, full of encouragement and smiles, music, singing, pan banging and a violinist!

The course was absolutely breathtaking, the landscape and the rivers to run through. We were all looked after and supported throughout the day. It was a great event and I will be making it an annual run for as long as it is on. The experience was memorable, we had such a great day. Thank you so much Claire F

A really great 11KM challenging route through beautiful countryside. Loads of pre-race information was sent and the event was very friendly. Some great marshalls on the course giving lots of encouragement when it was needed on the tough sections Becky N

Excellent all round; many thanks for organizing a great day. Arthur D

The marshalls etc were great really spurred you on they seemed proud to do it for their lovely village, prizes were great at the end overall great event and not forgetting the zumba was a great idea xx Deborah B

Great family friendly day in a very friendly village. Lots for everyone to do if they weren’t running. The race was really well organised and fun with lots of enthusiastic marshalls and good signposting. A fast road/trail course. Very good value for money. We’ll be back for 2024! Nick C

A wonderful event - so friendly and well organised. The atmosphere was great. made to feel so welcome. Marshalls exceptional - even a violinist - such nice touch. THANKYOU - will be back. Janet C

I’ve done quite a few races this year but this ticked all the boxes and a perfect mix of terrain, fabulous atmosphere and a good sized race will definitely be back next year. Carissa J

Brilliantly organised from start to finish. Fantastic marshalls. Thank you everyone involved. April C

The course was really well thought out, well flagged with top rate marshalls. The course was challenging with some off road sections and undulating throughout, but very runnable. The 'river' crossings were a fun splash in the warm conditions. The feel and organization of the whole event was first class - to the point that post race there was potential to win excellent spot prizes which kept you engaged to celebrate the winners of the fastest categories. The Marshalls were absolutely fantastic, always encouraging as well ensuring you stayed on route. Hard to say what can be improved as it is probably more about maintaining the high standards set. Definitely hope to be back next year. James H