The UERC Yomp Mountain Challenge
An Historical Record

The UERC Yomp Mountain Challenge

The Upper Eden Rotary Club Yomp Mountain Challenge was an annual race or walk on the fells around Kirkby Stephen to raise money for charities. It was conceived and organised by the Upper Eden Rotary Club, with the event running for 40 years from 1983 to 2022. From 2023 it was continued by a new team of volunteers, not connected to the Upper Eden Rotary Club. Details about current events can be viewed on their new website.

The Yomp is a term originating from the British Forces to describe a long march over open terrain. It was famously used in the Falklands War in 1982 to describe the trek by Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment over 56 miles from San Carlos, where they landed on the island, to Stanley, the capital. Participants in the UERC Yomp Mountain Challenge similarly attempted to complete a marked course on the fells around Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria, taking in famous landmarks such as the Nine Standards. The Full UERC Yomp Mountain Challenge was originally set at 23 miles, half the distance of the Falklands Yomp. The significance of starting the Yomp Mountain Challenge in 1983 was that it was the year after the Falklands war.

Entrants could partake as individuals or as part of a team. They could run or walk, strive to break records or just chill out on the fells. There were 3 courses, each designed to match the aspirations of those taking part...

Full Yomp 23 miles (from 2022 20k)
Half Yomp 11.5 miles (from 2022 10k)
Short Yomp 6.5 miles (from 2022 discontinued)

All entrants were timed, with individual and team records recognised. Trophies and cash prizes were awarded to those with the fastest times around each course. Everyone competing in the Upper Eden Yomp Mountain Challenge received a certificate, medal and refreshments.

Yomp Mountain Challenge Website (yomp.org)

From 2005 to 2022 the UERC Yomp Mountain Challenge was promoted by a UERC website on yomp.org. In 2023, when a new management team took over, the website was amended to showcase 40 years of history of the event. This website is set to close in July 2024.

Yomp Mountain Challenge Routes

Routes varied slightly over the years, starting and finishing at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School. The 20k and 10k routes in 2022 are shown on the map below.

Yomp Mountain Challenge All-time Record Times

From 1983 to 2022 times were recorded for all UERC Yomp Mountain Challenge entrants and all-time records were continually adjusted. These records can be viewed here - Yomp All-time Records

Yomp Yearly Results

From 2012 results were reported off-site at sportident.co.uk. In 2020 and 2021 the Yomp was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. In 2022 the Yomp Mountain Challenge was re-organised into 20k and 10k routes. From 2023 the Yomp Mountain Challenge was no longer a Rotary event.

Yomp Mountain Challenge - The Future

In 2023 a new team of volunteers from Kirkby Stephen took over management of the Yomp Mountain Challenge. The new organisers continue to run the Yomp Mountain Challenge in aid of charities, as did Rotary. After 40 years of running the Yomp Mountain Challenge the Upper Eden Rotary Club is pleased that volunteers have stepped in to continue the event and are fully supportive of the new management team. We wish them every success. Long live the Yomp Mountain Challenge!