The Drop - Darlington

Welcome to The Drop

Welcome to The Drop — a stripped-back navigation challenge where uncertainty is deliberate and every decision matters.

This is not a race with a route.
There are no markers, no directions, and no reassurance.

You will be taken to an unknown location and your only objective is simple:
find your own way back to the event centre.

How you do that is entirely up to you.

Choose Your Challenge

The Drop – 10 & 15 Mile

The core Drop challenge.

You will be dropped at an undisclosed location 10 or 15 miles (as the crow flies) from the event centre and required to find your own way back with no maps, no GPS, and no navigation aids.

The 15-mile Drop is the original and toughest version of the event — longer distance, extended decision-making, and sustained fatigue.
The 10-mile Drop delivers the same rules, pressure, and experience in a shorter, sharper format.

Same deployment.
Same restrictions.
Same consequences.

Distances are measured as the crow flies. Your actual route will be significantly longer.

The Drop 6 – Non-Locals Only

A shorter distance, with one critical rule.

Dropped 6 miles (as the crow flies) from the finish, The Drop 6 is strictly open to non-locals only.

If you live locally, regularly train in the area, or have strong local route knowledge, this option is not for you.

The Drop 6 exists to keep the challenge fair.
Local knowledge removes uncertainty — and uncertainty is the point.

This version is designed for:

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- First-time Dropsters travelling from outside the area
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- Participants unfamiliar with the local geography
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- Anyone wanting the Drop experience without local advantage
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Same rules.
Same blindfolded deployment.
Same responsibility.

Entries may be checked, and local participants may be moved to the 10 or 15-mile options.

How It Works

Registration

At registration you will hand over:

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- All electronic devices
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- Watches
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- Navigational aids
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In return, you will receive:

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- Your race number
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- A sealed emergency bag (carried with you for the duration)
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Deployment

You will board the bus, don blackout blindfolds (or approved alternatives if required), and be driven to an unknown drop location.

You will not know where you are.
You will not know which direction you are facing.

The Challenge

When the blindfolds come off, your time starts.

From that moment, every decision is yours.
Run, walk, or crawl — just get yourself back.

What You’ll Have

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- No map
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- No GPS
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- No route
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- No help
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- No compass
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Once you step off the bus, you are on your own.

Important Notes

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- Distances are measured as the crow flies — the distance you actually travel will be longer.
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- Blindfolds can be replaced with blackout safety goggles if required. If you have concerns, speak to the team — alternatives are available.
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Rules

(Break them and you’re out)

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- No GPS: Devices may record activity only if sealed inside the emergency bag.
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- No unauthorised maps: You may only use maps we provide — if we choose to provide any at all.
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- On foot only: No transport, no shortcuts.
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- Emergency bag integrity: Breaking the seal results in disqualification.
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FAQs

It is your responsibility to have read the FAQs ahead of event day.
This includes start times, cut-off times, required kit, and safety information.

Are You Ready?

The Drop is not about following a line on a map.
It’s about staying calm when certainty disappears.

Whether you choose 6, 10, or 15 miles, the question is the same:

Can you find your way home?

Live GPS Tracking

Our live GPS tracking system is provided as an optional feature for your convenience and safety. While it’s not included in your entry fee, you’ll have access to it and can share your progress with others using a password we’ll send a few days before the event.

Key Information:

- Accuracy: The GPS trackers are accurate within 5 metres but can be affected by tall buildings and black spots. There may also be a slight delay between your actual location and what appears on the map. You might notice your position "catching up" after a gap.
- Placement Matters: For the best performance, place the tracker in an outside pocket with a clear view of the sky. Poor placement can weaken the signal, resulting in less reliable tracking – this applies to all GPS systems.

Sharing Your Location:

To share your tracking:

- Send friends or family the event website link.
- Provide them with the login details we’ll send you via email.
- They can use your bib or tracker number to view your progress.
- Viewers can customise the map, showing only your tracker or including others for extra fun. (We’ve heard it’s entertaining to see someone take a wrong turn!)

Important Notes:

- Tracker Returns: All trackers must be returned to a staff member at the end of the event. If not, a £175 replacement fee will apply.
- Features for Safety: As organisers, we have access to additional safety features not available to participants.

Enjoy the thrill of the race and the excitement of being tracked in real-time!