Popular Autumn trail race half marathon
Join us for our award-winning Dirt Half Challenge on Saturday, 16th November 2024.
EVENT DATE: Saturday 16th November 2024
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 on16th September
REGISTRATION:
- Enter before 31st October at midnight to receive your running number in the post.
- Enter before 13th November at midnight to have your number ready for collection at the Race HQ.
- Enter on the day @ £35.00 (cash only). Subject to availability
MINIMUM AGE: The minimum age for participants is 17 on race day.
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.
- What3Words: windmills.thinking.factor
- Map Reference – Latitude: 51.90791, Longitude: -0.67391
- 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/ 6224. The race will be run under UKA rules
CAR PARKING
1. FREE PARKING – LIMITED SPACES
There is limited parking available at the school, so please car share 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 (not on double yellow lines). All car parking is free of charge; please be considerate to residents if you are parking at the roadside.
2. PAID PARKING – PLENTY OF SPACES
There are close to 700 parking spaces available at Leighton Buzzard train station, which is operated by SABA UK. Parking charges apply. It is a 10-minute walk to the school.
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 normal running shoes for this event.
CHANGING
We recommend that you arrive in your running clothes. You can pay to enter the Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre next door to use their showering 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 miles 3, 7, and 10 and again at the finish.
MERCHANDISE
You will be able to purchase merchandise when you enter the event. Merchandise purchased will be posted monthly.
You can also buy a T-shirt, hoodie, or bobblehat 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.
PACE POCKET
Your Pace Pocket will be sent to you 10-12 days before the race. Should you change your target time between now and the race and want to swap for a different time, please email info@pacepockets.run at least two weeks before race day to advise on your new target time.
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 2024 !
AWARDS
The race awards will be presented after the race at the Race HQ.
- 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 and Vet70 will be posted after the event.
Runners may win more than one award.
NUMBER TRANSFERS
Please see FAQS
SPECTATORS
Spectators are welcome but are reminded to always stay off the route. A couple of nice pubs on the course offer a relaxed view of the runners.
REFUNDABLE BOOKING
We recommend that you take out Refundable Booking 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 and can evidence one of the many reasons in our Terms and Conditions, which you accept when you select 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 that may arise before, during, or after the event due to their participation in this race. We do not offer refunds or deferrals under any circumstances. You can transfer your place – please see 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, if necessary. In circumstances beyond our control, no refunds will be given.