The Joust 6hr, 12hr & 24hr

The route is on private farm land and only available once the races get underway. The race will be run over a looped course circa 5.35 miles (due to course being on private farm land the route changes slightly each year).

The course follows parts of the Severn Way along the river until Grimley then returning back to the camp site through a mixture of fields, footpaths and very quiet lanes.

The course is well marked and marshalled, easily navigable and relatively flat

Camping is included within your entry fee for both Friday and Saturday night, at Top Barn Camp Site. Electrical Hookup is Extra.

For the benefit of Solo runners only, the Campsite Checkpoint Station will have some complimentary nibbles available.

Example of items (which may change) on offer previous years:

Sweets, jelly babies
Cake or similar
Squash and Cola
The 'complimentary' supplies are limited, so please don't rely on these for your full nutrition, as they are not offered on that basis. The event benefits from excellent outside catering where you can purchase, burgers, breakfast baps, hot drinks, etc.

Please remember that the Joust races are cup-free so competitors must bring their own re-usable cup. See our "merchandise section" if you need to buy one.

We would ask however that you do not rely on these alone and take only what you need with consideration for the other runners still to come in to the checkpoints.

You can enter the J24 either as a solo runner, a pair, a team of 3-5, or a team of 6-8. You can only enter the J12 as a solo competitor.

J24 Competitors:

The J24 competitors will start their race at 10:00 Saturday, and will proceed to run as many laps as they can in 24 hours.

The Soloists have preferential camping pitches which are very close to the course itself. They will also be allowed to have a support crew should they wish, although separate pitch costs must be purchased and are available through the booking system as 'non-competitor pitches'.

For the J24 Pairs, Teams of 3-5 and Teams of 6-8, competitors must complete one full lap of the course before switching over with their team mate and passing on the joust (relay batten).

Once the event has begun teams cannot change the members of their team but they may change the order in which they run.

Should one member wish to do several laps in a row this will be allowed.

J12 Solo Runners:

The J12 event also starts at 10:00 on the Saturday, and will conclude at 22:00 giving a race duration of 12 hours.

The J12 event is only for competitors wishing to achieve the accolade of completing 50 miles within a twelve hour period. In order to achieve this accolade you must have completed the 50 miles before 22:00.

Once you have completed the 50 miles you have finished your race.

Kiddies Joust:

Always popular, the Kiddies Joust consists of a shorter fun course within the campsite where children can run/walk/jog over a 1 hour period. Also part of the course is a run through where the kids can get water squirted with a Nerf Gun and also an inflatable obstacle course.

The Kiddies Joust will be Saturday afternoon only (14:00 – 15:00). Each team member can run/walk/jog as little or as much of the course as they like. For each lap run the kids will collect a ‘lap band’. Once they have finished running we just add up the lap bands to confirm distance run.

The Medals: The Kiddies medals are the same quality as the main event (only smaller), so it is imperative that places are booked early to ensure medal availability.

All children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times whilst they take part.

Running through the hours of darkness:

It is compulsory for all runners to wear a head torch or carry a hand torch from 20:00, runners will also be expected to carry a switched on mobile phone and a whistle.

The course will not be lit but the way will be well marked with yellow direction signs and temporary spray paint.

It is very much encouraged that during the hours of darkness competitors run together with either support crew or other competitors – this isn’t a mandatory requirement, just a recommendation, and the decision rests with each individual competitor.

The Knights of Worcester:

Also during the hours of darkness, the race will benefit from several non-competitive runners who will run loops of the course and they will happily join any Solo competitor (subject to availability) along the route purely on a support basis. Team runners - it is expected that if one of your team runners requires company throughout the hours of darkness then another member of your team will run with them. It is also acceptable that you bring your own night support crew who can take part on a non-competative basis.

The number of Knights are limited, hence why they are only available for Solo runners. Therefore all knight must take a mandatory break after each lap of fifteen minutes. This is to allow for a rest period and also offer a fair spread of Knight availability throughout all the competitors. It is not accepted that a Knight should just support one runner throughout the entire night period - any competitor requiring that should source their own companion before the event.

If you fancy being a “Knight” please message us to note your interest.

Each Knight will receive a Knights of Worcester tech t-shirt and a Knights of Worcester bespoke medal as a thank you.

Joust medals, t-shirts & trophies:

The Joust T-Shirt:

When you arrive at the race campsite, you will collect your running Bib, timing chip, and you will also be presented with your Technical Joust T-Shirt / or Joust Mug.

The Joust Medals:

All you need to do is complete a single lap to be entitled to your J24hr medal.

To be awarded a J12 medals you must complete the 50 mile challenge with the 12hr period. The Joust 12hr medals are given out as you complete the race - so no waiting.

The J24 medals are given out at the end of the main race during Presentation, which we try our best to do within 10 minutes of the clock going over 24 hours. For anybody who needs to leave earlier, you can locate the RD who will happily award you the medal at that time - that said, if the RD is busy, please show a little patience.

The Kiddies Joust medals are given out at the conclusion of the childrens race.

Trophies:

Trophy presentations will also be given out at the end of the race during Presentation. But again, if you do need to leave early, please seek out the RD who will do his best to accommodate you.

J24 trophies - Awarded to each of the top 6 male and female, plus male and female Vet (over 55's).
J12 trophies - Awarded to both male and female finishers of the 50 mile challenge.
Team of 6-8 - Individual awards to each of the winning team members
Team of 3-5 - Individual awards to each of the winning team members
Team of 2 - Individual awards to each of the winning team members

Buckles:

For Solo runners of the J24 who achieve the 100 mile distance - in addition to the standard J24 medal, you will also be awarded the 100 mile buckle.

For Teams of the J24, if you manage to break the 200 mile barrier - each member will be awarded the 200 mile buckle.

Facilities:

Top Barn Camping has several showers and toilets - please keep the facilties clean and tidy.

There are also several drinking water points for you to use throughout the event.

Electrical hook-up:

For those requiring electrical hook-up, this is available at £15.00 per night per socket. This is payable on arrival and will be collected from you by a URL member of staff.

Tent Hire:

Ultra Running will have thirty solo tents available for hire. These tents will take prime positioning – right next to the course! They are for Solo hire only and will be erected prior to your arrival and packed away by Ultra Running staff, so you simply turn up and forget about the hassles of setting up. Simply choose this option through the booking system.

As a competitor, your pitch cost is included within your entry fee for Friday & Saturday night. Any supporters, friends etc. (non-competators) can also buy a pitch through our booking system for both the Friday and Saturday nights.

For non-competator pitches - the camping location provided may be in a different location to the competitor camping areas.

There will be a quiet time on the campsite between the hours of 22:30 – 07:00 - please respect this.

Catering:

Onsite catering is provided by Natalie Guy of Food Court who will be providing a selection of food for the duration of the event for those not wishing to bring their own food. This will be individually priced by the catering company. Should you wish to bring your own food/BBQ you are welcome to but disposable BBQ’s are not allowed. All litter must be taken with you at the end of the event, so please bring your own black bag.

Massage:

A massage service will be provided throughout the event, previously by Jim Wallis & his team of Blind Masseuse's.

Water Stations:

Please remember that the Joust is a cup-free event, and you need to bring your own reuseable cup. Please see our 'Merchandise' section if you need to buy one.

The Campsite benefits from several water stations. There are two more on the course, one at The Wagon Wheel pub and another midway on the course.

First Aid:

We have several first-aiders at the event. If you need their assistance please ask any of the URL marshall's to get a first-aider. If that isn't possible then let another competitor know. On each competitor's Bib is the RD mobile number.

If for any reason you decide to withdraw from the event, it is very important that you let the RD know. If you have difficulty contacting the RD, simply send a text together with your reasons for departure.

By signing up to one of Ultra Running Ltd events you agree to abide by our general race rules;

The following are the race rules that apply to all Ultra Running Ltd events and should be adhered to by all race participants.

Each participant will be given a race number which must be clearly attached by safety pins to the front chest. If this is not clearly visible you may be delayed at checkpoints.
Teams must have pre-registered before the day and consist of at least three competitors who will also count as individual competitors amongst the rankings. For a Team to successfully complete the race, a minimum of three members of that Team must finish.

Each participant must make sure he/she is carrying all items detailed in the mandatory kit list

You cannot change your race entry category or team once the race has started.

Relay team members: All originally designated members of a team must complete the leg they have chosen, and the following team member must not start the race until the person they are handing over from has arrived at that CP, otherwise automatic disqualification will apply. Changes to the team members and/or race order can only be made up until the team has signed in on the day of the race.

Competitors must go through all check points and it is their sole responsibility to ensure that the check point attendant has recorded their race number and entry/exit time along with any injuries; failure to do so at any check point will mean the competitor has failed to complete the race and will be disqualified.

All entrants must be 20 years or over on the start day of the race.

Mandatory Kit List

Competitors must carry the following items. Random bag checks will be made on registration. Anyone found not to have the correct kit will not be allowed to start the race

Backpack or equivalent
Head Torch with spare batteries
Whistle
Mobile phone

Competitor Retirement

If any competitor has to retire for whatever reason they must contact the race organisers immediately, either by advising a checkpoint attendant or by telephoning the emergency number which will be written on the race numbers of each competitor.

Time Constraints

The only time retraints are the 12 hour period for the J12 event and the 24 hour period for the J24 event. You can run or walk at whatever pace you choose, but your completion of your final lap must be within either the 12 hour or 24 hour period.

Cancellation

In the event of Ultra Running Ltd. having to cancel the event, an alternative date will be provided. If re-scheduling of the event isn’t possible, or a competitor cannot make the revised date. URL undertakes to refund payments received, less any out of pocket expenses which are determined at 25%.

For all other circumstances, including Competitor cancellations due to personal reasons, refunds are not allowed. But at the discretion of the organisers an entry may be transferred to the following years race providing the request is within four weeks of the event date.

Any ‘transferred races’ or ‘reduced rate races’ are not refundable or transferable in any respect.

Race Photography

Ultra Running Ltd. reserve all exclusive rights relating to photographic coverage of their races. By entering an event, participants agree that Ultra Running Ltd may exclusively use any photographic or textual content captured during the event for advertisement purposes.

HOLT HEATH, WORCESTER, WR6 6NH

Message from Top Barn Camping:

We thought it might be useful to put together information on the farm, the local area and site safety to ensure that you have an enjoyable stay! Top Barn is a working farm with lots of other activities taking place, please note the following:

BE AWARE OF OVERHEAD CABLES – DO NOT PITCH BELOW THEM, FLY FLAGS OR KITES NEAR THEM – VERY DANGEROUS!

There is no lighting on the fields other than in the toilets so please use a torch at night when walking as the ground is uneven.

BE AWARE: ELECTRIC CABLES RUN UNDERGROUND AT 600mm – PEGS MUST BE LESS THAN 400mm .

Please ensure that caravans/tents have at least a 5m gap between them to reduce the risk of fire spreading and for the same reasons please site caravans/tents at least 10m away from the marquee. Please do not site caravans/tents by entrances to fields in case access needed by emergency vehicles.

Please report any faults with hookups/toilets/elsan point to us before you leave.

Fire extinguishers are in every field and fresh water taps are in each field too.

If using the marquee – please note that there is no smoking/candles/naked flames allowed in the marquee and ensure that there is at least one set of doors open in case a quick exit is needed eg fire.

The marquee can be used for gatherings but we cannot allow any form of entertainment to be used eg band, duo, comedian, karaoke, disco. A stereo/Ipod may be used as long as noise levels are low and it is switched off by 11pm weekends and 10.30pm week days.

Please be aware this is a working farm with lots of traffic.

Please do not let your children wander around unaccompanied due to the traffic at the business centre/farm shop and farm and please do not let them play on machinery, with farm animals or in buildings.

Please be aware of deep fishing pools around they are not fenced off – no swimming allowed.

Please shut gates behind you – we have livestock – and keep dogs on leads.

Please take rubbish home with you and clear up any dog mess.

When driving around the farm – please be aware of pedestrians and children playing.

Please note that toilets and showers will be cleaned for your arrival and then cleaning materials will be left for your convenience to maintain them during your stay.

www.topbarn.co.uk

On-site there is a well stocked farm shop, deli and butchery (great homemade burgers and award winning sausages!) at the entrance to the farm. During May/June there is strawberry and raspberry picking and farm park open from April – details at the Harvest Shop (01905 621954).

There is also a lovely function room and kitchen to hire on-site: 01905 620386.

The Severn Way – a public footpath – runs through our farm – you can walk in parts along the River Severn into Worcester itself.

We hope you have a lovely time – please call us if you have any problems – our phone is on 24 hours.