Heyford Airbase Duathlon & Runway Races

Race at the base in summer 2022 and take on one of the longest runways in Europe!

Set in Oxfordshire's beautiful Cherwell Valley, this deserted Cold War airbase opens its gates for a challenging weekend of running and cycling.

Enter the duathlon on Saturday 18th June and ‘run, bike, run’ your way to the finish line over the Standard, Sprint, or Super Sprint distance.

On Sunday 19th June, the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Family Mile will see you flying around the airfield like the buzzards that now rule the idle landing strips.

With over 100 years of history, this formidable site will capture your imagination. Look out for props from Hollywood blockbuster World War Z, which was filmed at the base; an encounter with an escaped zombie is sure to get you a PB!

Pancake-flat, traffic-free and with the wind at your back, you’ll bomb along the runways and taxiways of one of the oldest airfields in the world at the Heyford Airbase Duathlon and Runway Races.

 

T-shirts are available for purchase during registration for delivery in the week leading up to the event.

 

The Family Mile will finish prior to the start of the main categories. Children must be aged 5 or over to participate but buggies (or similar) are permitted for children under 5. Children under 11 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

 

Entry on the day will be available, subject to availability and a £5 surcharge.

 

For event updates and future promotions, follow Purple Patch Running on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

If you’re participating this year, please consider running for Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise vital funds for dementia research. As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK is dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and cure. Their mission is to bring about the first life-changing treatment for dementia by 2025 and they need your support! Join #TeamARUK

 

 

Event Details

 

Licensing

The Runway Races (with the exception of the Family Mile) will be licensed with UK Athletics (UKA) and the results published by Run Britain shortly after the event.

The Duathlon events are draft-illegal (TT bikes permitted) and will be licensed with the British Triathlon Federation (BTF), the competition rules of which can be found here. We recommend participants familiarise themselves with the information therein, specifically sections­­ 5 (Cycling), 6 (Running) & 7 (Transition) for details on equipment and their expected conduct during the event. Entry includes day membership for non-BTF members which will be provided on event day.

 

Bib Numbers

Bib numbers (and bike stickers where applicable) are available for collection at the event only, participants should not expect to receive anything by mail.

 

Results

Results will be uploaded live to our website (internet connection permitting) and communicated to all pre-registered participants within 24 hours of each event.

 

Rewards

All finishers will receive a medal on completing their event and, subject to a competitive field of participants, prizes may be available for the top three places overall - and the top place in each of the veteran categories (V40/V50/V60/V70) - for both females and males at each distance. Winners will be notified via email by the end of the following week once results are considered final. No prizes will be offered for the Family Mile.

 

Facilities

 

Medical Cover

Suitable medical cover is provided at our events in case of a medical emergency.

 

Bag Drop

Whilst we recommend bringing as little as possible, participants can leave essential belongings with us using the tear-off baggage strip on their bib.

 

Photography

Event images will be available, usually within 24 hours of each event.

 

Water Stations

Water will be available on the run routes approximately every 5K.

 

Toilets

Toilets will be available around the start/finish area for use throughout each event.

 

Changing Rooms/Showers 

There are no dedicated changing rooms/showers.

 

Other Information

 

Wheelchairs

These events are suitable for wheelchair users. Any participants wishing to compete with specialised equipment are asked to contact us before entering to ensure we can accommodate any additional requirements.

 

Buggies, Pushchairs and Strollers

As UK Athletics licensed events, the pushing of persons in any device in the Runway Races is prohibited under the UKA Rules of Competition - including, but not limited to - buggies, pushchairs, strollers (or similar) and wheelchairs. Such devices are permitted in the Family Mile only.

 

Spectators

Spectators are permitted at these events.

 

Earphones/Headphones 

Noise-cancelling earphones/headphones are prohibited and, whilst we discourage the use of other earphones/headphones in running events, participants choosing to use them should ensure they are set to a low enough volume that instructions from event officials can be clearly understood.

The use of earphones/headphones is prohibited throughout the Duathlon.

 

Dogs

Participants must not be accompanied by a personally owned or controlled dog during an event. Entries may be accepted from participants with medical assistance dogs, subject to them being correctly registered and identifiable as such, and subject to prior approval by the Event Director.