Famous Autumn half-marathon trail race
Join us for our award-winning Dirt Half Challenge on Saturday, 8th November 2025.
EVENT DATE: Saturday 8th November 2025
RACE START: 10:00
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ENTRY COST:
- £31:00 General Entry
- £29:00 UKA Affiliated Runner
- Affiliation means a member of a club affiliated with a National Association (e.g. England Athletics, Scottish Athletics, etc.)
- The price will increase by £2 on 15th September
REGISTRATION:
- Enter before 20th October at midnight to receive your running number in the post.
- Entries close on November 3rd at midnight. Your race number will be available for collection at the Race headquarters.
- Enter on the day @ £35.00 (cash only). Subject to availability
MINIMUM AGE: The minimum age for participants is 17 on the day of the race.
RACE INSTRUCTIONS: You can download the instructions [ HERE ]
PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT: Can be downloaded [ HERE ]
HQ: Cedars Upper School, Mentmore Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2AE.
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- The Race HQ opens at 08:00
RACE VIDEO
BEAUTIFUL COURSE
The race starts in the historic market town of Leighton Buzzard and follows the picturesque autumnal canal towpath north to Stoke Hammond, which has stunning views. The route then climbs through the beautiful countryside to Great Brickhill. It passes through the scenic Rushmere Country Park before following the Greensand Ridge back to the start via the canal towpath.
TIMING
This event will be chip-timed using state-of-the-art disposable timing chips attached to the reverse of your running number. Sorry, no late starters.
TIME LIMIT
The time limit is 3 hours and 30 minutes
RACE PERMIT
TRA/ 7416. The race will be run under UKA rules
CAR PARKING
1. FREE PARKING – LIMITED SPACES
Parking is available at the school; please carpool where possible. Use postcode: LU7 2AE. You may park behind the school, in front of the school, at Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, or along Mentmore Road (excluding areas with double yellow lines). All parking is free of charge; please be considerate to residents if you park at the roadside.
2. ALTERNATIVE PAID PARKING – PLENTY OF SPACES
Approximately 700 parking spaces are available at Leighton Buzzard train station, which is operated by SABA UK. Parking charges apply. The school is a 10-minute walk away.
BAGGAGE
Please leave your bag in your vehicle. If you are coming by public transport, you can leave a small bag at the Race HQ at your own risk. Alternatively, you can pay to use a secure locker in the Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre next door.
FOOTWEAR
Mixed surfaces: This race is mostly on canal towpaths and woodland paths. It is not a road race, and runners are to expect uneven paths. We recommend trail shoes or your regular running shoes for this event.
CHANGING
We recommend that you arrive in your running clothes. You can pay to enter the Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre, located next door, to use their shower facilities.
SPORTS MASSAGE
The Sports Therapy Room will be providing massages for a small fee. Proceeds go to charity.
REFRESHMENTS
A coffee van outside the Race HQ will sell hot drinks and snacks.
WATER STOPS
Water will be available in cups at approximately mile markers 3, 7, and 10, as well as at the finish line.
MERCHANDISE
You will be able to purchase merchandise upon entering the event. Merchandise purchased will be posted monthly.
You can also buy a T-shirt, hoodie, or bobble hat at the Race HQ on Race Day.
iTAB
iTab purchases will automatically be posted a few days after the event. You do not need to do anything.
EVENT REGISTRATION
Do you need to update your registration, check your entry, change your address, or purchase merchandise after entering? Then, visit the My Events page on https://myevents.active.com/ to manage your event registration.
MEDAL
The Medal for 2025!
AWARDS
- The first three Men will be awarded from 11:45
- The first three Ladies will be awarded from 12:00
- Certificates for the first male and female Senior, Vet40, Vet50, Vet60, Vet70, and Vet80 will be posted after the event.
Runners may win more than one award.
NUMBER TRANSFERS
Please see the FAQS
SPECTATORS
Spectators are welcome, but they are reminded to stay off the route at all times. A couple of excellent pubs on the course offer a relaxed view of the runners.
REFUNDABLE BOOKING
We recommend selecting a Refundable Booking Option during the registration process. Refundable Booking covers…
- COVID-19 infection, see details
- Sickness, Accident, Injury
- Public transport failure
- Private vehicle failure
- Emergency services recall
- Home emergency
- Immediate relative sickness
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- And many more…
Upgrade your booking and receive a 100% refund if you cannot attend, provided you provide evidence of one of the reasons outlined in our Terms and Conditions, which you accept when selecting a Refundable Booking.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
All runners must be medically fit to compete and enter at their own risk. The organisers will not be held responsible for any injury, accident, loss, or damage arising from participation in this race, whether before, during, or after the event. We do not offer refunds or deferrals under any circumstances. You can transfer your place; please see the FAQs. No dogs or pushchairs are allowed.
IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY
The race director and the emergency services reserve the right to stop the race at any time. In the event of circumstances beyond our control, no refunds will be issued.