Northants Shires & Spires Event
GB
From Go Beyond
4.9 ·
9 reviews
Sunday 14th May 2023
Past event
08:30
Northampton
£25.20–£57.75 · 4 races
10km, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of running at the Northants Shires & Spires Event, organized by Go Beyond! Taking place on Sunday, May 14, 2023, in the picturesque village of Naseby, Northamptonshire, this event offers a scenic and challenging experience for runners of all levels. Participants can choose from four exhilarating distances: a 10k, half marathon, full marathon, and an impressive 35-mile Ultra Marathon.
The Ultra Marathon is a circular route that showcases the breathtaking Northamptonshire countryside, taking runners past stunning country houses including Holdenby, Althorp—the final resting place of Princess Diana—and Cottesbrooke. This year, the event will be run in an exciting anti-clockwise direction, making it a fantastic opportunity for first-time ultra runners and seasoned athletes alike. With its central location near major motorways, Naseby Village Hall serves as the perfect starting and finishing point for this unforgettable day of athletic achievement. Join us for an inspiring event that celebrates the beauty of nature and the spirit of endurance!
The Ultra Marathon is a circular route that showcases the breathtaking Northamptonshire countryside, taking runners past stunning country houses including Holdenby, Althorp—the final resting place of Princess Diana—and Cottesbrooke. This year, the event will be run in an exciting anti-clockwise direction, making it a fantastic opportunity for first-time ultra runners and seasoned athletes alike. With its central location near major motorways, Naseby Village Hall serves as the perfect starting and finishing point for this unforgettable day of athletic achievement. Join us for an inspiring event that celebrates the beauty of nature and the spirit of endurance!
Northants Shires & Spires Event
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Previous editions
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Reviews
4.99 reviews
SM
Sean Mountcastle-Evans
Verified entrant
This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2025 edition · 1 year ago
Such a beautiful route with some really challenging hills. Great route if you want to get out and enjoy the scenery. Not great if you want to be breaking PBs as some of it is really difficult.
SA
Sara Abreu
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This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2025 edition · 1 year ago
It was my first ever half marathon and what a great one it was. No, it was not easy, the last 4km of the course (anti-clockwise) are brutal as it's basically all up hill. Up until then, the course is lovely, quite a lot of it on the road, but some sections are over fields off road which amazing - beautiful views of the country side. The event itself was very well organised - car parking was easy and free, collecting the pack was easy and there were plenty of toilets too! It wasn't the busiest or loudest ambiance at the end - could have done with some music, but overall, extremely well organised and I highly recommend.
LT
Lisa Thompson
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This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2024 edition · 2 years ago
Great course. Well organsied. Friendly race organisers. Beautiful villages that you run through. Good challenge on an
undulating course. Pick from various distances too. Would do again.
undulating course. Pick from various distances too. Would do again.
AC
Alana Crooks
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This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2024 edition · 2 years ago
Was an amazing race! Like people say, don’t expect to go in for a pb because the hills are difficult. Staff are lovely and would definitely recommend to people who want a challenge!
ZV
Zoe Van Den Burg
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This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2024 edition · 2 years ago
Brilliant, my first 10k and we did it as a family - it definitively wasn't easy but we all really enjoyed it and will do it next year. The race was very well organised and everyone was so helpful.
KL
kevin lewis
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This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2023 edition · 3 years ago
100% doing this every year. really nice run, yes it’s hilly and don’t expect to get a pb, but i just really enjoyed it. great views and nicely organised. if i was to criticise one thing i would say that it could have done with one more drink station for the half marathoners. see you next year.
EI
Emma Izzles
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This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2023 edition · 3 years ago
It was really well organised and we really enjoyed it. My first 10K, thank you! 😊
SR
Simon Reynolds
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This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2022 edition · 4 years ago
A well-organised event for a beautiful route around Naseby. It would be even better if there was more trail than road for the half marathon.
IC
Ian Cathcart
Verified entrant
This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2022 edition · 4 years ago
Great Route, Good Value for Money, & Very Well Organised!!!
I think I'll be back next year!
I think I'll be back next year!
Races
-
Ultra 35
Entries closed£57.75
-
Marathon
Entries closed£47.25
-
Half Marathon
Entries closed£36.75
-
10k
Entries closed£25.20
Event information
TERRAIN MIX
The 10K is road, the half marathon is 11 miles of road and 2 miles of hard packed trail.
The ultra route is 20.2 miles of cross country trails; and 14.3 miles of roads (the marathon shares all but two segments of this. Elevation is +2052 ft and -2052 ft.
COURSE MARKING
The course follows a waymarked route but requires some navigation. We provide a map book and various resources to keep you on track. The course is covered by OS Maps 223
The 10K is road, the half marathon is 11 miles of road and 2 miles of hard packed trail.
The ultra route is 20.2 miles of cross country trails; and 14.3 miles of roads (the marathon shares all but two segments of this. Elevation is +2052 ft and -2052 ft.
COURSE MARKING
The course follows a waymarked route but requires some navigation. We provide a map book and various resources to keep you on track. The course is covered by OS Maps 223
The course follows a waymarked route but requires some navigation.
Prizes
Finishers Medal and T-Shirt
Checkpoints & Aid stations
Baggae drop
Prizes
Finishers Medal and T-Shirt
Checkpoints & Aid stations
Baggae drop
Naseby Village Hall, Sports Court & Recreation Ground
Naseby Rd, Haselbech, Naseby NN6 6DE
Naseby Rd, Haselbech, Naseby NN6 6DE
For anyone wanting to stay overnight locally either before or after the event there is Airbnb or Northampton offers a wealth of hotels to suit all budgets
Arrival by car – If you are planning to drive then there is ample free parking at the village hall complex. Please allow adequate time to park and register.
Arrival by car – If you are planning to drive then there is ample free parking at the village hall complex. Please allow adequate time to park and register.
There are 5 check points, each will have water, and a selection of supplementary energy gels, and snacks, (currently we are not permitted to have loose food due to COVID19). A drink will be available for all athletes at the finish.
As the event is a loop then most competitors will have their kit in their cars. For everyone else we will store your bag at the finish, so you have warm, dry clothes waiting for you . Your bag should be no larger than a UK airport carry-on bag size (56 x 45 x 25 cm).
Stay on track during the Shires and Spires Ultra. The Geo Tracks GPS Tracker is lightweight and easily fits in a small pocket in your rucksack. Let family and friends track your progress in real-time and use the Geo Tracks app combined with the tracker as an accurate tool for navigation during the event. The GPS Tracking units upload their position every 10 seconds to the live view tracking map and are accurate to 5 metres. Batteries last for 70 hours . Pre-order your GPS tracker and collect at the event registration and drop off at the finish.
To find out more and book your tracker please visit the Geo Tracks website.
Trail shoes are advised. There are sections of trail which can become very muddy in wet conditions. It is essential to carry the items below. There will be random kit checks prior to the race . Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times.
Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Director and Assistant Race Director (shown on your map book given at registration)
Map Book (provided)
Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.
Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
Waterproof Jacket
Whistle
Long sleeved base layer or fleece top
Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Director and Assistant Race Director (shown on your map book given at registration)
Map Book (provided)
Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.
Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
Waterproof Jacket
Whistle
Long sleeved base layer or fleece top
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female Competitors. All finishers will receive a medal and T-shirt. There is a special Team Trophy for the fastest team of four (one of which must be female)
Event video
Organiser's description
This event is based in the village of Naseby and offers four distances - 10k, half and full marathon, and ultra. This year we are back to running in an anti-clockwise direction.
Shires and Spires is a 35 mile circular Ultra Marathon with a mixture of trails and roads. It starts and finishes at Naseby Village Hall which is a great central location close to the A14, M1 and M6 motorways. The route takes in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside and country houses, Holdenby, Althorp (home of the Spencer family and final resting place of Princess Diana), and Cottesbrooke. At 35 miles it is ideal for first time Ultra Runners or those looking for a shorter challenge
The 10k, half and full marathon all take in some of the Ultra route, and of course amazing country houses and stunning countryside
We are proud to be an index race for Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
Shires and Spires is a 35 mile circular Ultra Marathon with a mixture of trails and roads. It starts and finishes at Naseby Village Hall which is a great central location close to the A14, M1 and M6 motorways. The route takes in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside and country houses, Holdenby, Althorp (home of the Spencer family and final resting place of Princess Diana), and Cottesbrooke. At 35 miles it is ideal for first time Ultra Runners or those looking for a shorter challenge
The 10k, half and full marathon all take in some of the Ultra route, and of course amazing country houses and stunning countryside
We are proud to be an index race for Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
Location
Naseby Village Hall, Newlands, Naseby, Northampton NN6 6DE
Northants Shires & Spires Event
