South Yorkshire · Est. 1983
Rowbotham’s
Round Rotherham
50 miles · 80 km · South Yorkshire · Est. 1983
The Race
South Yorkshire’s most-loved ultra
Rowbotham’s Round Rotherham is a 50-mile (80 km) trail race that circumnavigates the entire Rotherham borough perimeter. Devised by RHAC secretary Ralph Rowbotham during the steel strike of 1980 and first run in 1983, it is one of the longest-running ultra events in northern England.
Don’t be put off by the postcode — the route is genuinely beautiful. Canals, rivers, wetlands, ancient woodland, Roche Abbey ruins, and the open moorland above Maltby make for a surprisingly varied 50 miles. Despite a modest total climb of around 800 m the course earns its reputation for breaking people at mile 40.
The event is run by volunteers for the love of it. Entry fees remain among the lowest for a 50-mile race in the UK. Back-of-pack finishers are as welcome as podium contenders, and the post-race shepherd’s pie has legendary status.
Next event: Saturday 3 October 2026 — Manvers Waterfront Boat Club, Wath upon Dearne, S63 7DG.
2025 Winners
History made at the 42nd edition
Emily Cowper-Coles (Dark Peak Fell Runners) crossed the finish line in 7:18:03 to become the first woman in 42 years to win the race outright — ahead of Kevin Hoult by just 24 seconds. Kevin Hoult claimed his fifth men’s victory, cementing his status as the event’s most successful individual runner.
Men’s course record: Ben Hague, 5:57:18 (2019) — the only sub-6-hour finish in race history.
Women’s course record: Emily Cowper-Coles, 7:18:03 (2025).