Halifax Urban Trail

It's returning! Easter Monday 2027 (Monday March 29th) will see the staging once again of the second Halifax Urban Trail, a trail race of just over 10K with a real difference.

The first Halifax Urban Trail, held on Easter Monday this year, attracted almost five hundred runners, a news story in The Guardian ("UK's first urban trail hits Halifax"), and some amazing feedback ("Honestly, one of the best races I have ever done….and I've done a fair few!!"). So what could we do but agree to put on this unique race all over again?

Want to take part? You'll be running from Shibden Park (the home of Anne Lister – 'Gentleman Jack') along tracks and paths to Beacon Hill, the viewpoint high over the town of Halifax. And then, having descended into the heart of the town, you'll discover some of Halifax's most iconic landmark buildings… by actually running through them.

You'll experience a subterranean passage under Shibden Hall, Halifax Minster, the magnificent Piece Hall, the town's Borough Market and Dean Clough Mills, once a carpet factory and now an art gallery, performance space and much more. Oh, and we'll also be allowing you inside Halifax Town Hall (designed by the architect of the Houses of Parliament). Several of the places on our race route aren't normally open to the public.

We copied shamelessly the idea of our urban trail from across the Channel, where trails urbains regularly take place in many French towns and cities, with runners given the chance to run through their town halls, churches and chateaux. Urban trails are now extremely popular in France and after our 2026 race we think other cities and towns in Britain may also want to copy Halifax's lead. We promise that you'll find our event an exceptionally memorable experience.

Once again we're staging the event to help raise funds for our local Calderdale hospice, Overgate. We managed to raise £10,000 in 2026. Who knows what we'll manage in 2027?