It’s got it all. There are stretches of crushed stone pathways, grass paths, single track woodland, thick forest and a small section of grassland. The ground conditions are very dependent on the winter we’ve experienced before. 2022 was glorious soft trail in perfect conditions. After the wettest March for 40 years, 2023 was a bit of a mudfest! However so were 99% of other trails in the UK.
When does it start?
Registration Open – 06:00
Event Start – 06:30
Can I have a crew?
Of course, it's an ultra and crews are important. That said you need to understand they are your responsibility. If your crew misbehave, cause parking issues, are rude to our team or others involved in the race then you will be DQ'd. We know you're a highly trained athlete and must have your Jam Tarts at exactly the time you said (!!) but they need to act responsibly.
Crew instructions are simple, no littering, be polite and stay out of the aid station area.
We get a lot of first time runners, and as such first time crew/support. If your parents or loved ones are crewing you for the first time please try to prepare them for the mess you might be in! I’ve had lots of conversations with parents and partners who think we’ll be sending in an air ambulance because your leg hurts a bit (or to that effect!). Tell them beforehand what you’ll be like so it’s not a shock to them. 50 miles is a long way, it hurts, you’ll hurt, but the reward and satisfaction is proportional to the effort!
Are there cut offs?
Yes - 12 hours for the 50 mile.
That is roughly 14.5 minute miles, 4.1mph. This may seem easy but consider the course, time of year and terrain. It’s by no means an easy cut off but also shouldn’t be a barrier to the vast majority (the limit is to allow all but the very last to finish in daylight.
This might rule some people out, I apologies, sort of! We host many events that are truly inclusive in terms of pace, speed and distance. However, we have lots of moving parts with an event like this and so a cut off will be in place and enforced. We know the enforcement doesn't always happen at some events, to be clear, it will here. There will be cut offs for starting the last lap only. You must leave the HQ for the last lap by 16:30 (10 hours on the race clock)
Anyone leaving HQ who is likely to finish after 5pm will be required to have a head torch and back up light too. Light fades quickly and early in the woods.
We'll confirm these details on emails sent out in the last 4 weeks before the event.
Can I change distance after I’ve entered?
Yes. As the 50 miler is longest distance event you can only change to shorter distances. The difference in your price will not be refunded but you can change. If you let me know more than 3 weeks before the event you’re bib will be changed to the corresponding event too. However if the bibs have been ordered then you’ll have to run with the “wrong” colour bib on.
If you wish to change from 50 miles to 50k on the day, or even during the event, you can do. If you decide after 4 complete laps you wish to stop you can do and you’ll be a 50k finisher. You are not eligible for overall prizes however (if you had the fastest time on the day for example). If you start lap 5 you cannot decide to stop and get your 50k medal, you’ll be a 50 mile DNF. The end of lap 4 is stick or twist!
As the other distances use a different course it is not possible to switch distances to any other distance if you start as a 50 mile runner.
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