| layout | title | permalink |
|---|---|---|
page |
Race Information |
/raceinformation/ |
Date of Sunday 6th October 2024 has been confirmed for this year's event. Enter at SI Entries!
The Charnwood Challenge is an off-road event for runners and walkers and covers approximately 10 miles route through the Charnwood countryside, to see route click here
The route is as per previous years (details on the website), other than some minor changes to the start and finish locations to accommodate the change in Event HQ venue. The course will still be approximately the same length (~10 miles), so any records should still stand! Entrants are reminded of the hazards inherent in off-road/trail running and acknowledge that they are entering and running/walking this race at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. These hazards include rough and uneven ground, such as rocks, mud, tree roots, and wet grass, together with steep climbs and descents, and that some sections are rural and remote from road access. In particular, this year we are aware that some sections of the permissive path alongside the stream after the Dean’s Lane road crossing are quite eroded in places, so please watch your footing (as on the rest of course). Although some parts of the course have been quite overgrown over the summer, hopefully these will have died down by the date of the event. (In addition, there are a couple of low tree branches on the permissive path which we hope will be removed before the day, and will confirm this during the pre-race briefing.) Participants are reminded of the Event Disclaimer which they will have accepted as part of the entry process. Ideally we would like all participants to be safely back at the Event HQ by 1pm so we can stand down the marshal team, who will have been out on the course since early that morning. While we would like everyone to be able to enjoy the event and take on the challenge at their level, please bear this in mind (and we kindly request that you wait until after you have finished before stopping for lunch!).
The provisional route can be found here:
Sorry, but as the route passes through several fields where livestock may be present, including private land, unfortunately dogs are not permitted to accompany runners or walkers competing in the event.
Main event entry fee is £15 (affiliated) for runners and walkers, or £17 (unaffiliated). Junior Challenge is £4 and entry on the day at the event headquarters.
As we are now in a position to start work on the replacement of the group’s ageing headquarters building, this year we are unable to use the scout hut or its grounds for the event. However, due to the kind support of the local landowner whose fields the race usually passes through in the final half mile, we will be using these as the location for the Event HQ. Registration, bag drop and refreshments etc. will therefore be situated outside in tents / event shelters so please be prepared in case the weather is forecast to be wet, cold and/or windy. Should the weather forecast for the day of the event be particularly bad then we may have a marquee available, but this isn't guaranteed. Any running clubs are welcome to bring club tents for their members to use for getting changed etc. and marshals will point you to the designated area for these, close to the race start and finish.
Registration will open at 8:30 for collection of race numbers and any last-minute queries. Please pin your number to your front and make sure it can be clearly seen by the marshals. All walkers will be asked to provide the number of a mobile phone which they will be carrying and which could be used to contact them during the event, if required. Any Junior Walkers (under 16) must remain with their parent/guardian for the duration of the event. Note that there may be photographs taken by the marshals or members of the scout group during the event which may be used for future publicity of the event. If you do not wish your photograph to be used for this purpose then please make this known at Registration so your race number can be noted.
The start times for the event are as follows:
9:00 Walkers
10:00 Runners Both will be a mass start, with a short briefing 5 minutes beforehand.
10:15 Fun Run
Both will be a mass start, with a short briefing 5 minutes beforehand.
There will be a water station just over halfway round the course (at approximately 5.5 miles / 9 km) on the approach to the Broombriggs carpark. If you think you may need more that what will be provided at this stop then we suggest you carry a bottle or similar for the event. Water will also be available at the finish. Although this may be using disposable cups, if you are able to bring your own reusable water bottle then we will happily refill it for you.
Refreshments will be available to purchase at the Event HQ, including tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, and a selection of other snacks.
Toilets will be provided at the Event HQ, however no separate changing facilities are available. During the event itself, please note that there are public toilets at several points close to the route (i.e. top or bottom of Beacon Hill, Woodhouse Eaves village), although a short detour may be needed – please ask a marshal for directions if necessary and advise them of your race number and that you need to deviate from the event route so we can track your location.
Secure bag storage will be situated in the Event HQ building, manned by members of the scout group. You will need to show your race number to pick up your bag after the race.
Prizes will be awarded in categories to include: Runners – 1 st man, 1 st lady, 2 nd man; 2 nd lady, 3 rd man, 3 rd lady Walkers – 1 st man, 1 st lady, 1st junior (Please be aware that any walkers observed running, or admitting to (!), will be reclassified.)
Please car share if driving to the event, where possible. There will be no parking for competitors on the road immediately outside the Event HQ for safety reasons and to ensure access is clear for race organisers and first aid etc. As Nanpantan Road can be fairly busy there is the option to park at the nearby Nanpantan sports ground off Watermead Lane (LE11 3TN). However, please be aware that this is a public carpark shared with several sports groups, and there may not be much free space, so please park considerately. If you do park on local streets to attend the event, then please make sure not to create a traffic hazard, or to block the access for any local residents. For those competitors with the energy to cycle to/from the event (!) there is space at the HQ for cycles to be parked, and although there will be members of the event team around during the day this will be at the owner’s risk.
For any first aid or other emergencies experienced while at the Event HQ, please inform a marshal. First aid cover on the course and at the event HQ will be provided by experienced first aiders. As sections of the route are rural, rough underfoot, and remote from the road, in the event of an accident or a runner becoming unwell please stop to provide assistance if necessary, and ensure that a marshal located at one of the road crossings is informed of the situation as soon as possible. In the unfortunate situation that you are unable to finish the event and need to retire, please make your way to the nearest road crossing, and inform the marshal located there, who will be able to provide assistance. We also ask that you report to the finish before you leave the event.
This year we are once again organising a 1 mile (1.6 km) ‘fun run’ on a cross-country type route for children, any parents who are accompanying them, and anyone else who fancies a shorter challenge. Please note that all children under 8 must be accompanied around the course by a parent or responsible person aged 18 or over. The fun run route is entirely off-road, on paths and tracks which are quite rough underfoot and may be muddy, and includes a small stream crossing. Entry will be on the day (or via OSM for Nanpantan Scout Group members) at a cost of £4 per person (adults accompanying children: free) The fun run start will be at 10.15am. There will be a badge for all finishers, and prizes for the 1 st boy and 1 st girl in each age category: Under 8 (Beavers); 8 to 10 (Cubs); 11 to 14 (Scouts)
ARC Permit applied for – details to be confirmed.