Race Date: Thursday 8th August 2024
Race Report by Martin Downham

The Silkstone Shuffle is run 3 times a year. This was the third and final run of 2024 (and my third running of the year). Where does the time go?

Silkstone is located between Barnsley and Peniston. It is close to Junction 37 on the M1 so if the traffic is light, journey times can be quite favourable. The long running road works on the M1 (and now at the top of The Parkway – for the new Service Station) can add quite a lot to estimated journey times. Scenic, more direct cross country routes are also available.

Vital race information:
Race organisers: Barnsley Harriers
Event description: A hilly off-road trail course of around 4.5miles.
Registration: Behind Dearnside Petrol Station at the Silkstone Sports Pavilion (Post Code S75 4LX).
The route can be seen at: – Route: Silkstone Shuffle

The route includes an interesting mix of single track road, footpaths, farm tracks, woodland trails, meadows, ploughed fields and stiles. For this edition it was breezy and damp. The intermittent ongoing drizzle had made the stones and rocks on the path quite slippery.

Strava stats: Distance 7.45km. Elevation gain 149m

The start point is a 2 minute walk from the clubhouse through a wooded area to a single track country lane. Most of the event’s climbing is up this lane (which gradually turns into a lumpy un-metalled farm track). After about 2km of steady climbing the route reaches its summit opening into some fantastic views of the surrounding countryside (including the Pennine foothills – they say). The third km is on the footpath along Jockey Road, to another marshal point where the route turns a corner on to another uneven farm track. From here the running is “mostly” downhill, through some wooded areas and on to some narrow paths across various farmlands (including wheat fields and stiles).

Skilled marshals were keeping the cattle in the final field off the direct route, which was greatly appreciated. The finish line is back near the clubhouse and this requires a short sharp climb onto the playing field followed by a “swift sprint” around half the perimeter to the finish funnel.

This race offeres a delightful opportunity to enjoy the varied countryside around Silkstone.

Thanks go to the organisers (Barnsley Harriers)  who put on a well marshaled, welcoming event (with prizes and photos on facebook).

I’m delighted to say I took the first VM60 prize. As all the chocolate had already been picked, I opted for a bottle of (nice) Merlot wine. So given this rare success, I should be back. My result: