Whinberry Naze fell run to return to Rawtenstall on Boxing Day

The Whinberry Naze festivities see runners dress-up in colourful and original costumes to take on a tough four-mile course and help burn off the turkey and Christmas pudding.

To celebrate its return, here is a round-up of some of the best costumes seen from participants over the years.

We also have all the information you need to take place in this year’s event.

Participants will be gathering at Marl Pits Sports Centre, on Newchurch Road in Rawtenstall, on December 26.

The event is set to start at around 11.30am and registration begins at 9am.

Participants can pay for entry on the day and the admission fee is £4.

Steve Duxbury, one of the organisers, is expecting around 150 people this year.

He said: “I'm expecting around 150 participants on Boxing Day in some very creative fancy dress outfits. The race is open to anyone over 14-years-old and is 6.4 kilometres in length and with 229 metres of ascent so it's a real challenge for the front runners.”

Rossendale Harriers runner, Joe Hopley, has won the event for the last two years and is hoping for a hat-trick this year.

10 fantastic costumes from Whinberry Naze fell races in recent years

1. Andrew Corbishley, from Water, dressed as Darcy Bussell in the 2018 race. 

Andrew Corbishley, from Water, dressed as Darcy Bussell in the 2018 race (Image: Liz McInnes)

2. Ken and Barbie, still boxed took second prize in the costume contest, in 2021.

Ken and Barbie at the Whinberry Naze race (Image: Liz McInnes)

3. Runners dress up as Father Christmas and a Pfizer injection - a topical costume in 2021. 

Runners dress up as Father Christmas and a Pfizer jab in 2021 (Image: Liz McInnes)

4. Haslingden's Alan Lundberg-Bury, as Tom Cruise, with Sissel and Emma Smith, of the Rossendale Harriers.Haslingden's Alan Lundberg-Bury, as Tom Cruise, with wife Sissel and Emma Smith, of Rossendale Harriers (Image: NQ)

5. Mervyn Keys, Claire Jacobs, Gill Simpson and Lorna Holt dressed as The Wombles, fictional characters created by Elisabeth Beresford. Picture taken at the the 2019 Whinberry Naze raceMervyn Keys, Claire Jacobs, Gill Simpson and Lorna Holt dressed as Wombles in the 2019 Whinberry Naze race (Image: NQ)

6. Louise Preston and Rachel Gilmore dressed as the Queen and Paddington Bear.Louise Preston & Rachel Gilmore dressed as The Queen and Paddington Bear (Image: Liz McInnes)

7.  A storm trooper at the race in 2021.A storm trooper at the Whinberry Naze race in 2021 (Image: Liz McInnes)

8. Hena Chaudry dressed as Frida Kahlo in 2022.Hena Chaudry dressed as Frida Kahlo in the 2022 Whinberry Naze race (Image: Liz McInnes)

9. First responder Dawn Taylor in a Christmas Tree outfit, at the 2022 race.First responder Dawn Taylor in a Christmas Tree outfit (Image: Liz McInnes)

10. Neil and Graham as Peel Tower, a monument in Bury, in the 2022 race. Neil and Graham as Peel Tower at the Whinberry Naze race (Image: Liz McInnes)