Haworth Hobble 2025

It’s a weekend that in the past has attracted rain, gales and even a snowstorm – but this year’s Haworth Hobble saw sun, blue skies and unseasonably warm weather greet the hundreds of competitors who toed the start line of this year’s Haworth Hobble.

The Hobble, a mainstay in the local running calendar, was celebrating its 44th edition and once again saw a big Tod turnout, with no doubt any thoughts about whether to pull out at the last minute discouraged by the 16C, sunny spells and the prospect of wearing just a vest for the first time in 2025.

The 31.7mile route with around 5,000ft of climbing takes runners up to Top Withins, across to Widdop Reservoir and onto Long Causeway before descending into Todmorden.

Depending on whether you are feeling fresh-faced or have gone out way too hard and are blowing up (speaking from direct experience here), runners then enjoyed a trot/slog up to Stoodley Pike, down into Hebden Bridge and back up to Heptonstall, before the long push from Hardcastle Crags over the moors and into Haworth, all fuelled by the chip butties, beer and whisky on offer at the various checkpoints throughout.

In total, 16 Toddies managed to get to the finish line in relatively one piece despite a couple of DNFs, with the race won by Andy Worster of Calder Valley (but also a Toddie) in 4:05. As the results show there were a couple of close inter-Tod Harriers battles throughout, the highlight of which saw Stu Hyslop beat Tom Saunders to the line by 12 seconds after over 6 hours of running – showing no mercy to pass him when Tom started to cramp on the final mile into Penistone Country Park. Huge kudos to Tom and Becca for completing their first ultra-marathons, cheered on by the support of Toddies who were out in force and stationed throughout the route.

Finishers

Report by Ben Blosse