Darbyshire and Rickman head fields for 300km SILVA Northern Traverse

A star-studded elite field is set to line up for this year’s edition of the SILVA Northern Traverse which starts this Saturday.

Organised by Kendal based company Ourea Events, it’s a continuous 300km footrace from St Bees on the west coast of England to Robin Hood’s Bay on the east.

The race, which has to be completed within five days, follows the well-established coast-to-coast route created by Alfred Wainwright, through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

Eoin Keith back to extend record

Mark Darbyshire, record holder for the Arc of Attrition race and joint winner (and record holder) of the 2023 Lakes Traverse is among those lining up this year.

He’ll be joined by Eoin Keith, who has taken part in every edition of the race, winning the first two, and who has also won the Spine Race three times.

Paul Tierney, former fastest known time holder for a Wainwrights round and multiple Tor des Géants finisher is there as is David Parrish, winner of the 2023 Cape Wrath Ultra.

And on the women’s side, Hannah Rickman – who was second to Claire Bannwarth at the Montane Winter Spine Race in January – heads the field.

Edwina Sutton, former Ironman triathlete and now a Spine Race podium finisher herself, will be looking to challenge her as will a host of other contenders.

Dale looking to bag Dales Traverse

Meanwhile, it’s not just about the Northern Traverse as there will be four races in total taking place.

The SILVA Lakes Traverse returns and participants have 30 hours to finish the 100km route across the Lake District National Park fells to the finish in Shap.

And this year, two new races have been introduced to the SILVA Traverse series, both of which offer entry points into ultra running. The Dales Traverse will take place on Sunday 7 April. Its distance of 55km will trace the section of Wainwright’s coast-to-coast route from Kirkby Stephen to Richmond.

On the same day, the 80km SILVA Moors Traverse will follow Wainwright’s route from Ingleby Cross to Robin Hood’s Bay, hugging the spectacular northern edge of the North York Moors National Park, before winding through eastern Yorkshire to the finish.

Author and ultra runner Allie Bailey will take on the Lakes Traverse, while Gavin Dale, last year’s other joint winner of that event, will shift his attention to the Dales Traverse.

Click here for our full guide to following and participating in the Northern Traverse.