Tour of Pendle Fell Race, live.

The last long fell race of the season

The Tour of Pendle is a 27 km category AL fell race that loops in a figure of 8 around Pendle Hill in Lancashire, starting and finishing in Barley.

The 42nd Tour of Pendle starts at 10:15 on Saturday 21 November 2026 near Barley Village Hall, with a head count from about 10:00. The organiser calls it the last AL of the season. Pre-entry for 2026 has closed, and entry on the day is by prior arrangement only. It is organised by Will Herman, an associate member of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, and registered with the Fell Runners Association under its rules.

The course is 16.8 miles (27 km) with 4,833 ft (1,473 m) of climb. After a first visit to the trig there is a long fast descent along Pendle to the Nick and Churn Clough, a steep climb up Spence Moor and the notorious Geronimo descent into Ogden Valley. Back on the plateau come three major climbs, each steeper and longer than the last, before a second visit to the trig and a long run off back to Barley.

Experience is required and local knowledge helps, because the race is often run in difficult and sometimes full winter conditions. Full waterproof body cover with a taped, hooded jacket, a hat, gloves, a map of the route, a compass, a whistle and emergency food are compulsory. Cut-offs apply at CP4 after 1 hour 50 minutes and at CP6 after 2 hours 45 minutes, and those who cannot finish within about five hours in normal November conditions are unlikely to make CP6.

Race maps from Pete Bland Sports, made with Harvey Maps, are on sale, with the newest version at the Pete Bland Sports van on race day. The records are 2:17:35 by Grant Cunliffe in 2025 and 2:23:25 by Victoria Wilkinson in 2017.

Livebib lets family and friends follow a participant live if that person chooses to share the position of the phone they carry. It is not the organiser's timing system, and official results always come from the organiser.