Fitness enthusiasts and puzzle lovers in York have a brand-new reason to lace up their trainers.
Puzzlerun, a new hybrid event that blends a 5km run with the mental gymnastics of an escape room is coming to the city on Sunday 29 March 2026.
Designed for teams of one to four people, the event breaks the 5km distance into 500-metre segments. At each interval, participants arrive at a puzzle station where they must solve a physical or logic-based challenge before moving on.
The event is powered by a dedicated webapp that tracks ‘running time’ and ‘puzzling time’ separately. This allows teams to enjoy a brisk walk or an athletic sprint between stations without the pressure of the puzzles affecting their physical pace.
Each of the ten puzzles is connected by an unfolding narrative, with each challenge taking approximately 2–5 minutes to solve.
The concept was founded by Chris Backe, who wanted to create an accessible, social event that exercises both the body and the mind.
“We wanted to take the community spirit of something like Parkrun and inject it with the excitement and storytelling of an escape room,” said founder Chris Backe.
“It’s not just about how fast you can run; it’s about how well you can think while you’re out in the fresh air.
“Whether you’re a serious runner looking for a fun recovery day or a family looking for a unique Sunday morning activity, Puzzlerun is designed for everyone.”
Puzzlerun emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging walkers, joggers, and seasoned runners alike to participate.
Tickets for this unique event are currently on sale, with early access tickets available for £19. Standard tickets are then £25. For more information and to book your tickets, visit the Puzzlerun website.
