Horbury Railway and River 5

This is a flat 5km loop around Horbury, split almost evenly between paved surfaces and unpaved riverside paths. With only 10m of total ascent, it's a good option for a tempo run or any steady effort where you don't want to think about hills. As a circular route you can join it at any point, but running it clockwise provides a logical sequence from the built-up areas out to the river.

Following the clockwise direction, the first half uses pavements and a path along Green Lane. This section takes you under the railway line before connecting you to the River Calder. The footing here is predictable and even, typical of an urban training run, though you may have to cross a few minor roads depending on where you begin the loop.

The character of the run changes once you reach the river. The surface becomes an unpaved dirt path that follows the water for about two kilometres. In dry conditions, standard road shoes are fine as the ground is generally firm. After prolonged rain, however, this section will get muddy and slippery, making trail shoes a better choice. The loop finishes by turning away from the water and rejoining the local streets.