Announcing the first ever “ThruDark Mountain Marathons”
Combining the gruelling demands of ultramarathon running in terrain and conditions equally as unforgiving as the Yorkshire Dales, the inaugural “ThruDark Mountain Marathons” are set to be a true test of “Endeavour Through Adversity”. June 2025 will offer seasoned and amateur runners alike the opportunity to take part in Thrudark's first ever trail running events at the Yomp Mountain Challenge.
ABOUT YOMP MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE
The Yomp Mountain challenge is a three day event celebrating all things running, walking and outdoors.
Located in the quaint, Cumbrian market town of Kirkby Stephen, entrants should be under no illusions as to the challenges that await them out in the hills. Wind and rain batters the grass and gravel of the trails as uncertainty hampers every step. Conditions on the fell tops are ever changing and can quickly turn the course from friend to foe.
Originally run in 1983 as a homage to the Royal Marines’ yomp from San Carlos Water to liberate Stanley during the Falklands Campaign, the course has since been known as “the Yomp,” a slang term used by the armed forces to denote "a long march over open terrain." It was here that ThruDark Co-Founder Louis, alongside his older brother Frankie, spent their younger years training to join the military.
The Yomp has a proud history of fundraising for good causes with money raised previously donated to local charities from the Great North Air Ambulance to the Northern Viaduct Trust.
DETAILS
LOCATION
All the races and base camp will be at The Engine Shed, Pennine View Park, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4SZ.
BASE CAMP
Basecamp will include food vendors, beer tent, family activities and live music. Accommodation options for the weekend can be found here.
PARKING
Free event parking will available at Station Yard, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4LA. This is just a short walk across the road.
All races timetable & pricing
If the ThruDark Marathon or Ultra feels like too much, don’t worry! The Yomp Mountain Challenge offers shorter races on the same day and in similar settings, so you can challenge yourself and still be part of this unique festival experience.
LA SPORTIVA SUNSET YOMP
Date: Fri 13th Jun
Time: 7pm
Price: £15 per entrant
THRUDARK ULTRA
Date: Sat 14th Jun
Time: 8am
Price: £60 per entrant
THRUDARK MOUNTAIN MARATHON
Date: Sat 14th Jun
Time: 9am
Price: £40 per entrant
JT ATKINSON 20K
Date: Sat 14th Jun
Time: 11am
Price: £20 per entrant
ALDERSONS 10K
Date: Sat 14th Jun
Time: 12pm
Price: £10 per entrant
OUT OF EDEN 5K
Date: Sun 15th Jun
Time: 11am
Price: £5 per entrant
MORE DETAILS
The sign up for all races will be open via SiEntries. Entries for the Sunset Yomp and 5k will open on SiEntries week commencing 7th of April. Online registration will close on the following dates:
- ThruDark Mountain Marathon & Ultra races: 1st June
- 5k, 10k, 20k and Sunset Yomp: 11th June
Please note, there is no on the day entry for the ThruDark Mountain Marathon & Ultra. However, on the day entries will be available for the 10k, 20k and 5k.
Registration times:
- ThruDark Ultra Registration & Kit check: 6.00am-7.40am
- ThruDark Mountain Marathon Registration & Kit: check - 6.00am - 8.30am
- 20k Registration & Entries: 9.30am-10.30am
- 10k Registration & Entries: 9.30am-11.30am
- Sunset Registration & Entries: 5pm - 6:30pm
- 5k Registration & Entries: 9.00am - 10.30am
All races will be fully directed where appropriate with a sweeper at the back.
The Yomps will be fully way marked with flags at regular intervals.
There are regular marshalled checkpoints on all the courses.
The ThruDark Mountain Marathon & ThruDark Ultra will be GPS tracked.
All entrants will be timed via open tracking or GPS tracking.
Entrants in all events can run, walk or both - it is your Yomp, your challenge.
All finishers will receive a medal.
Medals/prizes will be awarded to winners in the various categories.
All Saturday race competitors will receive post race hot food.
Participants are required to:
- Carry a map of the route. Provided at the start of the race.
- Carry compass and whistle.
- Wear suitable clothing for the day and carry spare clothing including full body waterproofs. Checks may be carried out before and during the race.
- Carry emergency food.
- Observe the country code.
- Carry a fully charged mobile phone with its number logged at registration & the event HQ number stored in it.
- Carry a Foil/Emergency Blanket - (ThruDark Ultra Only)
- Carry a head torch (ThruDark Ultra only)
ORYON 72HR MERINO T-SHIRT
$180 AUD
NEW
FORCE ACTIVE CAP
$100 AUD
FORCE VELOCITY MOTION SHORTS
$130 AUD
VELES JACKET
$330 AUD
NEW - selling fast!
FORCE LIGHTWEIGHT RUNNING CAP
$100 AUD
FORCE ACTIVE DRIRELEASE® TSHIRT
$130 AUD
FAQs
The event is open to everyone who is fit enough to complete the chosen route and meets the minimum age requirements.
- Ultra & Mountain Marathon: 18 and over
- 20k Yomp & Sunset Stroll: 16 and over
- 10k Yomp: 5 and over
Yes, but all participants under 16 must:
- Obtain written permission from their parent or guardian.
- Be accompanied throughout the event by a responsible adult authorised by their parent or guardian.
- One adult can accompany a maximum of four children.
No, accompanying dogs are not allowed.
No, bikes or powered vehicles are not permitted.
Yes, all checkpoints must be visited in the correct sequence.
You must inform the race organiser if you decide to retire from the event.
Yes, race numbers must be worn visibly throughout the race.
More information about the Yomp Mountain Marathon can be found here.
