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14
Nov
Long Course Weekend set for 2026 return?
Council officials are working with the organisers behind the Long Course Weekend back a live event next year.
North Yorkshire Council agreed to pay £75,000 over three years to organisers Activity Wales Events to host Long Course Weekend Yorkshire in 2023.
The first event took place to a mixed reaction in Masham last year. But the Stray Ferret revealed in June a return to the town had been scrapped due to “operational reasons”.
Instead, this year’s event, which is loosely based on triathlon and includes swimming, cycling and running options, was held virtually.
Council officials confirmed that no money was paid to organisers Activity Wales Events this year as the event was not held in North Yorkshire.
The Long Course Weekend took over Masham last year. Credit: Black Sheep Brewery Facebook
However, Cllr Mark Crane, executive councillor for open to business at the council, said that the authority was now working with the Long Course Weekend on an event for 2026 — but stopped short of revealing any locations.
He told a full council meeting in Northallerton:
The organisers decided not to go ahead with the event this year and we did not give them any money.
They are looking at holding one again next year and they are looking at a couple of locations in North Yorkshire. We are working with them and if it comes off and they do it again, clearly we will continue to support it in the financial aspect because it is good news for the tourist economy of North Yorkshire.
The Long Course was inititally due to make its Yorkshire debut in Pateley Bridge, but the venue was switched to Masham.
Plans to return to Masham this year were scrapped due to a “lack of community buy-in”, according to an email from Scott Powell, of Activity Wales Events.
The inaugural event in 2024 proved controversial due to road closures and residents' concern over a lack of communication from event organisers.
In addition, the organisers had advertised that “5,000 athletes and 20,000 supporters” would come to Masham, but in the event just 1,500 took part, and some local hospitality providers said they had experienced a drop-off in business due to road closures, rather than a boost.
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