City Scramble Christmas

Is this an organised event with a mass start like typical events from The Race Organiser?

No, absolutely not. Our responsibility for participant and public safety means that we're not holding any events where groups of people will participate together. This event has been planned with all public health guidance in mind, but in response to many runners who have been in touch with us to see if there are ways we can help motivate and inspire their running during COVID-19 restrictions.

City Scramble Christmas requires all runners to observe all physical distancing rules and health advice, with no timed start, finish or requirement to gather anywhere on run routes. Participant numbers are strictly limited to ensure no noticeable presence of additional runners on the streets nor at the secret finish points. If your home city is sold out, consider running in a neighbouring city if it's within reach.

Where do we run?

Choose from any one of the 19 UK towns and cities – either the one you live in, or any that you can get to easily on foot, by bicycle or by car. Each borough and route has a set of 6-10 clue spots that you must connect with your run.

With our recommended routes, we’ve worked out the shortest and fastest possible distance between the clue spots in each borough. All routes are complete loops with no official start point, so you can pick up the route wherever is convenient. The all-important final black coloured clue pin is always the closest to the finish location, so you can plan strategically to finish with the shortest distance.

Routes will cover a combination of city centre and inner suburbs to get you a quieter, enjoyable run route with interesting clue spots to find. The name of each location indicates the areas the provisional route will cover. Once entered, your final map will be issued by email on Monday 7 December. If you need more details before then, just get in touch.

On the streets, routes will be unmarked - without signage or marshals, you should ensure you are able to access your route map throughout your run.

You can take a scenic route going any way you like, as long as you hit all of the clue spots and complete a loop between the start and finish, before reaching the secret finish point.

Routes that do not go by all clue spots and reach the secret finish point will not eligible for the official results board.

The UK towns and cities where we have 5K and 10K route options:

Who can we run with?

Run solo, with members of the same household or genuinely and safely socially distanced with a running buddy.

When do we start?

You can start any time between 09:00 - 12:00 on the day and have to complete your route before 13:00. You can submit your run to the results platform once you've got back home and recovered. Submit anytime from 09:00 Saturday to 09:00 Monday. Details of how to submit your result will be given in your information email on Monday 7 December.

When do we get the clues?

Clues for each route will be sent by text to your phone at 09:00 on race day. You will need a smartphone to be able to view your clues. North Pole HQ will be available to help if you are struggling to find any of the locations or clues on the day - details of how you can communicate on the day will sent in your final instructions email on Monday 7 December . Each clue will only be solvable by reaching the clue spot.

When do we get the medal?

Medals will be posted out shortly after the event to the address you provide at registration.