Handsworth Roadhogs

Handsworth Roadhogs - Running Club-Sheffield

The Handsworth Hobble

Click here for the 2022 Hobble Results

Click here for the 2023 Hobble Results

Handsworth Hobble First staged in 2013 as an invitation only event for local running clubs, the Handsworth Hobble has since been organised annually by the Roadhogs as a public event with a trail race permit authorised by UK Athletics. It is normally held on an evening in June when lighter nights mean the event can easily be completed in daylight hours. We now have a good number of runners (usually around 150 if the weather is decent) from many local clubs taking part along with some unattached runners who do not belong to a club.

The Hobble uses the well established two lap course in Shirtcliffe Woods that the Roadhogs have used since the late 1980s for the Club’s leg of the inter club winter cross country series. The two laps only add up to 5.25 miles/8.5 kilometres in length but the hills make it a challenging run, the climb on the second lap from the stream crossing near Beaver Hill Road up to the finish in the field behind Handsworth Church is particularly challenging! However the Hobble is well marshalled by the Roadhogs and can be tackled by both faster and slower runners even if the underfoot conditions in wetter weather can make it a bit more difficult. The course is all off road so can be run in trail or spike shoes.

Shirtcliffe Woods is a very pleasant area that has been kept in its natural state but is well maintained and managed by Rangers from Sheffield City Council’s Countryside Service and the local Friends group. It makes the Hobble quite a scenic run.

The Roadhogs normally use the Old Crown pub as the base for the Hobble and we are grateful to have the very welcome support of the staff at the pub. It is ideal as the pub is close by the start and finish. Many runners pop into the pub afterwards for a drink and to await the race results. We also give some prizes to the race and age category winners along with some spot prizes.

Before each annual Hobble the Club will distribute race flyers with details of the date and to confirm all the arrangements.

Tony Weightman
Secretary of Handsworth Roadhogs Running Club