Will Ramsbotham Badger Stone fell relays

The Badger Stone Relays have been run annually on Ilkley Moor since 1992. In 1994 they were renamed the Will Ramsbotham Badger Stone Relays after the young athlete Will Ramsbotham (see the October 1993 Fellrunner article). In 2010, Ilkley Harriers took on the organisation of the Relays. As the venue moved up to White Wells, the legs were shortened slightly to 2 miles and a 1 mile leg was introduced for younger runners.

The Badger Stone, photo Paul Wood Will Ramsbotham, photo Dave Woodhead

2013 Details

  • Wednesday 22nd May 2013
  • 7.30pm mass start, registration opens 6.30pm at White Wells
  • Venue: White Wells (Spa Cottage), Ilkley Moor (info)
  • Parking: on Wells Rd or in the Car Park on the NW (downhill) side of Wells Rd. 5 minutes walk uphill to White Wells.
  • £2.50/runner seniors, £1.50/runner juniors, EOD only
  • Open Relay: 3 legs of 2 miles/400' (3.2km/120m), U14 and above
  • Junior Relay: first leg 2m as for the Open Relay, U14 and U16 only;
    2nd and 3rd legs are 1 mile (1.6km) for U12*, U14 only, *extended to include age 10 on the day
  • Family Relays: various combinations but parent or U14/U16 sibling on 2 mile leg(s); U12*, U14 on 1 mile leg
  • Route maps: 2 mile leg, 1 mile leg
  • Fully flagged and marshalled, run clockwise starting and finishing just above White Wells. The course includes narrow and very rough paths, and steep ascents and descents.
  • Teams may contain runners from more than one club. All teams must have 3 different runners (it's a relay!). Runners may compete in more than one team (on different legs).
  • Entry on the night only using the official Badger Stone entry form (download from here, print, and complete it in advance if you like - but printed copies available on the nigt)
  • Prizes: 1st team, 1st ladies team, 1st junior team (boys, girls, mixed), 1st family team, fastest 2m leg (male, female), fastest 1m leg (boy, girl), and more (incl. by popular demand one or more prizes for best fancy dress)
    Fabulous carved trophies made by Shane Green with Full Badger Stone Relay history to 1st team and fastest runner, male and female
    Prizes to include beer, chocs, biscuits, etc.
  • Refreshments: every team will receive three 50p vouchers to spend in White Wells cafe, which will be open specially for us and serving light refreshments (please bring a little extra cash).
  • The famous White Wells plunge pool will be open for our use (bring a towel).
  • Limited public toilets near White Wells
  • Junior age categories are defined as per FRA Guidelines, e.g. an U14 is someone who was 12 or 13 on the day of the race. Note the organisers have decided to make the age requirements for the 1 mile leg stricter than the FRA Guidelines and you will have to be over 10 on the day to do this leg.
  • Safety kit and experience. The race is run under FRA Rules and these make special stipulations for relays, here, section 14. The race organiser has been granted excemption from the FRA requirements for vetting (not practicable as the race is EOD only); distributing Rules and safety procedures before the race (as on this page, and on display at the race); runner's equipment (given the time of year, and short fully marked and marshalled courses, the organiser will be waiving the mandatory full kit requirements in Section 9 but if the weather is very poor you may be required to carry a windproof/waterproof top - please bring one to the race).
  • For 2013 we have had to obtain SSSI consent from Natural England for the event to proceed: one of the conditions set by them is that a no smoking policy is introduced for spectators, event organisers and participants.

    • The 2 mile leg visits the Badger Stone, more info on this interesting site here.

    2012

    2011

    2011 results We had 44 teams this year, including 16 junior and family teams. Tom Adams shattered the record for the 2 mile (3.2km) leg in 13:07, and received the newly carved Fastest Leg trophy. A class team from Leeds City set a new course record of 41:19. Wharfedale retained the Ladies team trophy. Thanks to everyone who helped and Anne Buckley, our 'celebrity starter'. There was a great atmosphere once again - see you next year!

    Dave Woodhead's photos

    2010

    2010 results. We had 51 teams incl. 14 junior and family teams. First team was Pudsey & Bramley, first ladies team Wharfedale Harriers. The weather was cold and wet at times, so thanks to everyone for coming and to especially to the many Harriers helping with marshalling and official duties. The celebrity race starter was Karen Darke who knew Will Ramsbotham.

    Paul Sugden's photos

    Dave Woodhead's photos

    Past results

    Help! We would like to show all results on the previous course 1992-2009 here. Can you help fill the gaps below? PDF or other files, or a printed copy that we can scan - anything would be appreciated. Contact us.