If you’ve ever fancied splashing through a river, scrambling up a muddy hillside and hurtling back down a technical descent — all for the price of a coffee — then the Trunce is calling your name.
The Trunce is a long-running offroad race series based at Oxspring, near Penistone, and it forms one of the jewels in ARR’s Trail Series crown for 2026. The series runs across nine races from 30th March through to 7th September, with races spaced roughly three weeks apart and all starting at 6:45pm from the Trans Pennine Trail above Oxspring playing fields. And the cost? Just £3 for seniors, £1 for juniors — making it one of the best-value evenings out in Yorkshire running.
What to Expect on the Course
Don’t let the modest entry fee fool you — the Trunce is a proper fell race in every sense. The route features river crossings, tough climbs and technical descents, all packed into an evening-length outing. Starting from the Trans Pennine Trail, the course winds past farmland on often-flooded tracks, descends steeply through kissing gates to reach the river, and then climbs again past the old California quarry along narrow paths above particularly steep ground.
The river crossings are something of a Trunce institution. You can attempt the stepping stones — which can be slippery — or just plough straight through the water. Tradition strongly suggests the latter is the preferred option. The course is run under the rules and regulations of the Fell Runners Association (FRA), so you know you’re getting an authentic fell race experience.
The Series Structure
Each season consists of nine races, with Race 9 being a standalone fancy dress event that doesn’t contribute points to the series — which means the series itself is an 8-race competition. The presentation evening typically follows Race 9, held in the Rafters Bar.
Points are awarded to the first 20 finishers in each age category, with the first runner receiving 20 points, the second 19, and so on. Runners can earn up to an additional 10 bonus points for beating their personal best time — one point for every 3 seconds knocked off — rewarding effort as much as outright speed. This means even if you’re not competing at the sharp end of the field, chasing down your own PB keeps every race meaningful.
Age categories cover a wide range, from Juniors through to Veterans in decade brackets up to Vet 80, so there really is a competitive category for everyone.
Juniors Are Welcome Too
The Trunce isn’t just for adults. Juniors must be at least 10 years old on race day and compete on a shorter course that avoids the river crossings, with dedicated marshals ensuring their safety throughout. Junior numbers are written in red, seniors in black — look out for them at the finish.
How It Fits Into ARR’s Trail Series
The Trunce counts as part of ARR’s brand-new Trail Series for 2026 — a mini series designed to give members the chance to sample local off-road races in a low-pressure, sociable way. Your best Trunce time across the season will count towards the ARR Trail Series scoring. Whether you’re a seasoned fell runner or just trail-curious, the Trunce is a perfect way to get started: the atmosphere is relaxed, the route is spectacular in its own muddy way, and the marshals are legendary. Keep an ear out for the dulcet tones of Andy Plummer on the start line — and don’t let Sir Keith Binney catch you with earphones in.
How to Enter
You can register online as a new Trunce competitor via the Trunce website. Once registered, you’ll be allocated a permanent race number which you use for every race throughout the season. On race night, you’ll need to check in and pay your £3 fee at the venue.
2026 Race Dates
- Race 1 — Monday 30th March
- Race 2 — Monday 20th April
- Race 3 — Monday 11th May
- Race 4 — Monday 1st June
- Race 5 — Monday 22nd June
- Race 6 — Monday 13th July
- Race 7 — Monday 3rd August
- Race 8 — Monday 24th August
- Race 9 — Monday 7th September (fancy dress — standalone event, series presentation after)
Full details, results and registration at trunce.org.
