Knacker Cracker
12
From 1m2go
- Date Thu 1st January 2026
- Time 11:00
- Location Denbies Vineyard, London Road, Dorking RH5 6AA
- Price £47.97
- Races 1 race
- Distances 10km
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Event summary
Get ready for a thrilling start to the New Year at the Knacker Cracker, taking place on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in the picturesque town of Dorking, Surrey! Organized by 1m2go, this race is renowned as "Britain's toughest 10k," featuring a challenging course that will push even the most seasoned runners to their limits. The revamped route now spans exactly 10.000km with a demanding ascent of 473 meters and a descent of 335 meters, navigating through the stunning landscapes of Box Hill and the North Downs.
Participants can look forward to several exciting race categories, including the Nipper Knacker for kids, the ladies' Knicker Knacker, and the main event, the Knacker Cracker, which promises a unique mix of scenic views and heart-pounding challenges. With its historical acclaim as Britain’s best trail race, this event has captured the hearts of runners since 2008. Whether you're a competitor or a spectator, join us for an unforgettable day filled with camaraderie and breathtaking views. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to kick off the year in style!
Participants can look forward to several exciting race categories, including the Nipper Knacker for kids, the ladies' Knicker Knacker, and the main event, the Knacker Cracker, which promises a unique mix of scenic views and heart-pounding challenges. With its historical acclaim as Britain’s best trail race, this event has captured the hearts of runners since 2008. Whether you're a competitor or a spectator, join us for an unforgettable day filled with camaraderie and breathtaking views. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to kick off the year in style!
Knacker Cracker
Thu 1st January 2026
Organiser's Description
'Britain's toughest 10k'!
The 'substantially harder' route for the Knacker Cracker race, from 1 January 2025.. not running down the Burford Spur slope, but instead using the old military road. Also, this now does not run up to Juniper Top (too ecologically sensitive) - but instead goes up the bottom of Happy Valley (which should perhaps be renamed 'Unhappy Valley.' It just gets steeper and steeper!
Kids' fun run, the Nipper Knacker; Ladies most welcome for the ladies' race - the Knicker Knacker, while men will feel a punishment in their gonads, during the Knacker Cracker!
The route is exactly 10.000km and includes ascent of 473m and descent of 335m.
Sorry, earphones/headphones not allowed on the course - don't run in a bubble!
If Box Hill is not available for any reason, we will be using the Knacker Cracker 'B' Course, around Denbies Vineyard. Still a tough course!
The Knacker Cracker was voted Britain's best trail race in 2012 and 2013 and was voted Britain's best 10k in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by runners voting at Runner's World
Entries after 8pm on 1 December will not have their names on the race t-shirts, due to production deadlines - sorry!
Parking and registration area at Denbies Wine Estate, and race start at the BOTTOM of Box Hill. NO PARKING AT THE TOP OF BOX HILL! After the race, you will need to walk back to your car at Denbies.
Knacker Cracker Panorama at Box Hill Lookout (Solomon's Memorial), by Brian Barton, on a sunny day!
(normally...) A run for hearty man fellows and lady fellows, mostly on rough tracks, and including superb views over the North Downs, the Mole Gap, Denbies Vineyard, and Dorking.
Wishful thinking weather forecast: warm and sunny. (actual weather forecast)
Historic Box Hill by Turner and by George Lambert (both paintings at the Tate)
New-new Course records (2022 onwards): Male: Steve Winder (50, Epsom & Ewell Harriers) 49:15 (2022); Female: Katie Lysons (29, Clapham Chasers) 56:00 (2022)
New (2015-onwards) Course records: Male: Rhys Gillard (24, Southend AC/Leigh-on-Sea Striders) 50:15 (2019); Female: Carla Molinaro (34, Clapham Chasers) 55:50 (2019)
(Old-New) Course records: Male: Sylvain Garde 45:51 (2011); Female: Carla Molinaro 52:44 (2011)
(Old-old) Course records: Male: Darren Treadaway 43:43 (2009); Female: Sarah Rollins 48:26 (2009)
Marshals
Marshals are needed for car parking help, start help, course signalling, finish help and goodie bag delivery. All marshals get soup and rolls, and a hearty pat on the back - and a free place in a future race of your choice! Marshals will be needed from 09.45am onwards on 1 January.
Please contact us for further information.
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Spectators
Best places to see the runners are as follows:
11.00-11.30am - (Start) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble
11.30-12.00 - National Trust Lookout, top of Box Hill (up the Zig Zag Road)
12.00-12:15 - Stepping stones, River Mole
12.15-12.45 (Finish) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble
All times are approximate!
----------
The 'substantially harder' route for the Knacker Cracker race, from 1 January 2025.. not running down the Burford Spur slope, but instead using the old military road. Also, this now does not run up to Juniper Top (too ecologically sensitive) - but instead goes up the bottom of Happy Valley (which should perhaps be renamed 'Unhappy Valley.' It just gets steeper and steeper!
Kids' fun run, the Nipper Knacker; Ladies most welcome for the ladies' race - the Knicker Knacker, while men will feel a punishment in their gonads, during the Knacker Cracker!
The route is exactly 10.000km and includes ascent of 473m and descent of 335m.
Sorry, earphones/headphones not allowed on the course - don't run in a bubble!
If Box Hill is not available for any reason, we will be using the Knacker Cracker 'B' Course, around Denbies Vineyard. Still a tough course!
The Knacker Cracker was voted Britain's best trail race in 2012 and 2013 and was voted Britain's best 10k in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by runners voting at Runner's World
Entries after 8pm on 1 December will not have their names on the race t-shirts, due to production deadlines - sorry!
Parking and registration area at Denbies Wine Estate, and race start at the BOTTOM of Box Hill. NO PARKING AT THE TOP OF BOX HILL! After the race, you will need to walk back to your car at Denbies.
Knacker Cracker Panorama at Box Hill Lookout (Solomon's Memorial), by Brian Barton, on a sunny day!
(normally...) A run for hearty man fellows and lady fellows, mostly on rough tracks, and including superb views over the North Downs, the Mole Gap, Denbies Vineyard, and Dorking.
Wishful thinking weather forecast: warm and sunny. (actual weather forecast)
Historic Box Hill by Turner and by George Lambert (both paintings at the Tate)
New-new Course records (2022 onwards): Male: Steve Winder (50, Epsom & Ewell Harriers) 49:15 (2022); Female: Katie Lysons (29, Clapham Chasers) 56:00 (2022)
New (2015-onwards) Course records: Male: Rhys Gillard (24, Southend AC/Leigh-on-Sea Striders) 50:15 (2019); Female: Carla Molinaro (34, Clapham Chasers) 55:50 (2019)
(Old-New) Course records: Male: Sylvain Garde 45:51 (2011); Female: Carla Molinaro 52:44 (2011)
(Old-old) Course records: Male: Darren Treadaway 43:43 (2009); Female: Sarah Rollins 48:26 (2009)
Marshals
Marshals are needed for car parking help, start help, course signalling, finish help and goodie bag delivery. All marshals get soup and rolls, and a hearty pat on the back - and a free place in a future race of your choice! Marshals will be needed from 09.45am onwards on 1 January.
Please contact us for further information.
----------
Spectators
Best places to see the runners are as follows:
11.00-11.30am - (Start) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble
11.30-12.00 - National Trust Lookout, top of Box Hill (up the Zig Zag Road)
12.00-12:15 - Stepping stones, River Mole
12.15-12.45 (Finish) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble
All times are approximate!
----------
Races
-
22nd Knacker Cracker
Thu 1st January 2026 (11:00)
£47.97
Association of Running Clubs (ARC) save £2.00
Booking for more than 1?
Knacker Cracker
