Canal barges aren’t known for their speed, but when pitted against runners in a 5 miles (ish) course, organisers of the Wo(Man) V Barge event say there is plenty of cause for excitement. 

Taking place on 7 August, this fun and exciting trail run will test runners’ speed against a canal barge along the Standedge Canal Tunnel Loop. The challenge is to beat the canal barge as it travels between Marsden and Diggle. The barge will leave between 10:55 and 11:05 and when it does runners have 1 hour 45 minutes to reach the finish line in Diggle.

The trail route is approximately 5 miles long and will be well marked as it heads up and over Marsden Moor. It will be challenging in parts, but manageable for runners of all abilities. You can run, jog or walk your way to Diggle, as long as you beat the barge!

And there is even more reason to sign up with  organisers of this ‘back-to-basics’ trail race promising everyone a well-earned post race chip buttie and bottle of beer at the Diggle hotel. 

Previous participants have lots of great things to say about this unique West Yorkshire event with Kim McGrath commenting: “I personally thought it was fab, bit tough at the start waiting in line for getting over the fences, but really was fab!! Was a bit of a mission getting to the train station after though it was 2 n a half miles! So we got another beer... haha! Fab event guys defo see you next year an maybe I'll even beat the barge.”

Organiser of the event, Run Able, is a friendly trail and road races operator based in and around West Yorkshire. Offering everything from 3km fun runs to 300 mile ultra-marathons and a whole lot more in between. 

There is still time to enter WoMan V Barge, and you can do so here.