Great Owl Running
Station Top, LS21 3BN
Station Top, LS21 3BN
This isn't just a tour of Otley Chevin, it’s the worst case scenario. You’re thrown straight into the fire with a relentless vertical interrogation climbing the 217 steps to Surprise View. From there it's quad-burning descents and punishing ascents. You’ll plummet to West Gate, grind up the infamous Danefield Climb, and dive into Poolscar Wood, scale the Power Lines at Fells Plantation, and you’ll face the final sting of Miller Lane before a flat-out, gravity-fueled sprint back down to the finish.
We Need To Talk About Chevin is classed as a Category BM fell race with 14km / 9 mi and 650m / 2130ft of elevation. Not for the faint-hearted!
Race HQ / Parking / Registration / Race Start / Finish Station Top, East Chevin Road, Otley (opposite Wharfedale Farmers Market) LS21 3BD
Terrain Public Footpaths / Trail
Distance 14km / 9 miles
CAT BM Fell Race
Elevation 650m / 2130ft
Terrain dirt / rocky ground / grass / footpaths
Route Map PDF (note: for info and recces only - under FRA rules you may not use the GPX on race day.)
Registration 9:30
Race Start 11:00 / 10:45 (early start)
Entry Limit 200
Chevin's younger sibling is classed as a Category BS fell race with 9km / 5.5 mi and 390m / 1279ft of elevation. Still not to be taken lightly!
Distance 9km / 5.5 miles
CAT BS Fell Race
Elevation 390m / 1279ft
Terrain dirt / rocky ground/grass / footpaths
Route Map PDF (note: for info and recces only - under FRA rules you may not use the GPX on race day.)
Registration 9:30
Race Start 11:00 / 10:45 (early start)
Entry Limit 200
All finishers receive a complimentary bottle / or can of ale at the end of the race (non alc available).
All medals and tees are sold as optional extras upon entry, this is to to reduce our impact on our environment, and to make our races more affordable for everyone.
There will be an a designated space near the finish area.
There will be a water refill station you pass at 6km. We do not provide cups.
Race Map (provided)
Suitable footwear for off-road running
Water Container (if you wish to drink)
A call as to whether mandatory gear will be required will always be made close to race day. In the instance of bad weather all / some of the following kit will be made mandatory...
Hat or buff
Gloves
Waterproof full body cover with taped seams
Compass
Emergency Food
To take part you must be confident you can complete the race within the cut-off times.
Checkpoint 5 = 70 mins
Runners reaching CP5 (6.5km) after 70 mins will be sent back to the start via the return route.
We have brought these very generous cut-offs in to make sure our marshals can get to their other commitments in good time and that our tail runners do not stray too far from the rest of the pack.
There are no cut offs for Chevin is BS
Early Start at 10:45 is reserved for those worried about meeting the cut offs.
Traditionally fell races are not marked, but due to the many paths on the chevin our course will be partially marked, however in many cases more than one path may get you to your destination, this means basic navigational skills are a requirement.
As of all FRA-licensed races the use of digital navigation equipment is not allowed.
It is ultimately the runners responsibility to navigate the course using the resources given to them by the organiser.
The Course heads straight up Jonny Lane and onto the infamous Chevin Steps all the way to Surprise View, you run to every checkpoint.
CP 1 Surprise View
CP 2 West Chevin Road
CP 3 East Chevin Car Park
CP 4 Danefield Bottom
CP 5 Danefield (Water / Cut off 70 Mins)
CP 6 Top of the Poolscar Wood
CP 7 Leeds Road
CP 8 Top of the Poolscar Wood
CP 9 Fells Plantation
CP 10 Chevin Top
The Course heads straight up Jonny Lane and onto the infamous Chevin Steps all the way to Surprise View, you run to the checkpoints listed below.
CP 3 East Chevin Car Park
CP 4 Danefield Bottom
CP 5 Danefield (Water / Cut off 70 Mins)
CP 6 / 8 Top of the Poolscar Wood
CP 9 Fells Plantation
CP 10 Chevin Top
We have medals and treats to hand out for 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall and each age category V45, V55, V65 and under 23s
BM
Daniel Haworth 01:03:39 (2026)
Emma Moran 01:15:52 (2025)
BS
Charlotte Rawstron 00:44:31 (2026)
Nicolas Battarbee 00:47:49 (2026)
GETTING THERE / PARKING
We have permission to use the station top area where the race start is. Please avoid residential streets.
THERE IS A BARRIER at the top of Station Road, you can only access Station Top from East Chevin Road.
We will have signage out on the day.