BURNSALL CLASSIC

Burnsall Classic 

The Burnsall Classic is not only one of the oldest fell races in the history books, but is held in one of the most picture perfect villages in the Yorkshire Dales.

“Burnsall has all the hallmarks of a classic fell race, with a very steep climb and a very difficult and precarious rocky descent, with rocks hidden in the heather. There is always a good crowd and if you move about a bit you can watch the whole course…”

Dave Hodgson, two times winner and former race commentator - pictured winning in 1958

The Burnsall Classic is a fell race for everyone. Short at just 1.5 miles, it is simply a race to the top of the 386m Burnsall Fell and back. The fell race is also the highlight of the ancient Burnsall Feast Sports which since the 16th century have taken place on the village green alongside the River Wharfe in front of the Red Lion pub. Puppet theatre, children’s sports, adult novelty races and a pet show topped off with a village sing-a-long makes this a fun and relaxed day out in the Dales. 


Official race records started in 1903, with the race catapulted to the headlines in 1910 following Ernest Dalzell’s legendary win in 12 minutes, 59.8 seconds in the ‘special race’ organised to test the authenticity of the existing record. 


Fell running superstar, Bill Teasdale MBE attempted to break Dalzell’s record in 1953 in another special race, but television cameras and demands for pre-race interviews hampered his warm up, resulting in his winning time being just over a minute outside the record.

Former sportsman John F Bell recalls the 1953 special race:


“Bill and I set off in this race and Bill used to talk to you a bit, even in a fell race. He always had words with me because I could always lead him out, but I never beat him – ever. I remember the race at Burnsall in 1953 and there was a little hole in the wall just before you got onto the fell with some barbed wire over, and he went under it and got his vest caught on the barbed wire, oh I gave him such a mouthful as I went over the top and left him. That was when Bill went for Dalzell’s record, he wasn’t caught very long, it was a laugh though. Bill was the best nonetheless, he was a terrific sportsman and fearless coming down.”

Olympian Derek Ibbotson MBE won the Burnsall Classic in 1953, just four years ahead of setting the world mile record at White City Stadium in London in 1957 – the last time a world mile record was set on British soil. Ibbotson’s sub four minute mile record time was three minutes, 57.2 seconds.


Fred Reeves finally broke Ernest Dalzell’s  record in 1977 in another special race, this time for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Ironically the 1970 European Indoor Athletics gold medallist Ricky Wilde could have briefly claimed this accolade for himself as he too eclipsed Dalzell’s record that year in the actual Classic race in a time of 12 minutes, 50 seconds, just three seconds adrift of Reeves’ time of 12 minutes, 47.2 seconds which to this day remains the fastest ever time for the Burnsall Classic route. 


Former RAF Flight Sergeant John Wild holds the Classic Race record of 12 minutes 48 seconds, set in 1983. Other notable runners to come close to breaking Reeves' record include Stephen Hawkins who achieved the winning times of 12 minutes, 51 seconds in 1993 and Andy Peace who achieved 12 minutes, 52 seconds in 1994.


“The first race that really grabbed my attention was Burnsall, that long first stretch going up the hill, with the runners like this huge snake going up the fell. I remember thinking ‘wow, look at that! Yes, I’d like some of that!’” 

Stephen Hawkins, four times winner and former Great British fell and mountain running champion

Listen to Stephen’s story below.
Share by: