SVN Club
Fair Runner Policy
The Olympic Run Challenge...
2021 is Olympic Year again so we'll celebrate with the return of our Olympic Run! We'll have Olympic sized bling! Seriously, it's huge!
Complete as many loops as you wish within the time limit, consume as many goodies as you wish within the time limit. Run a marathon, run an ultra, run less, as long as you complete one loop you're a finisher! We do warn you though,as with many of our events, you may consume more calories than you burn off, but just in case you don't the goody bags will contain a decent amount of chocolate!
Following the huge sucess of our runs in Kent we are now having to expand to cope with the demand and the number one request we've had is can there be more outside of Kent, so here it is. Middle of England, Northampton! We've very kindly been offered to take over the route from the excellent Madeyarun folk and jumped at the opportunity to add an SVN twist to this excellent route and venue!
The course is a mix of very high quality bike paths and grassy trails along the River Nene and around several flood reservoirs, so plenty of wildlife and views to be seen. It's pretty flat, only about 40' of climb per lap.
The event will have a six hour time limit for you to run as many, or as few laps as you wish. With a timed event, as long as you complete one lap, you are an official finisher!
As usual we'll have a well stocked aid station which you'll pass every 5.17 miles, a unique custom made medal and a goody bag that actually contains goodies which will make the undulations and any mud more than worth it.
Please explore the race and consider joining us!
The course runs from the Northampton Holiday Inn in a 5.17 mile loop along the River Nene and around several flood storage reservoirs. It's 100% off road. 45% tarmac, 55% grassy trails. For those who want to complete a marathon distance we'll have a 0.35 mile out and back near the base camp to make up the full 26.2 mile distance. (If you want to complete a half marathon then it's two full laps and a 2.78 mile short lap which you can view here.)
You can view the route on MapMyRun here
If you want to complete a half marathon then it's two full laps and a 2.78 mile short lap which you can view here.
The total elevation gain is about 40' per loop.
1) A really special finishers medal, custom made and designed, not a generic one.
2) A goody bag at the finish, which has goodies in, not a bunch of adverts.
3) A well stocked base camp with plenty of nibbles and refreshments for post race replenishment. Again there is nothing healthy here, no isotonic drinks or fruit. But biscuits, crisps, nuts, cakes, rocky road, M&Ms and those sorts of things!
There is a large car park a few yards from the start/finish. Parking is free and included as part of your entry fee. Please only park in the rear and side car parks, there is a small one right by base camp but please don't park here as this is to be kept free for locals and isn't part of the hotel's parking. Holiday Inn Northampton (Website), Bedford Rd, Northampton NN4 7YF (Map)
You need to register your car number plate in hotel reception. They're using a new "magic eye" parking system and whilst the parking is paid for as part of your entry you need to register when you arrive!
When do I get my race number?
You'll pick this up on race day morning from a meeting room in the hotel, there are only two, just past reception, we'll be in one of those although if the weather is fine we'll have registration outside at base camp. It's all very compact so we won't be hard to find!
Are there time limits?
Yes, six hours to run as many laps as you can. You can finish at any time within the 6 hours and your final distance will be recorded along with your finishing time. Only complete laps within the 6 hours will be recorded or you must have left the aid station for your last lap by 6.00 after race start (even if you finish that final lap after the six hours it'll count, you just have to have left for the final lap 6:00 after the start, and these time limits are hard, 6:00:01 and that's too late as is the custom with ultra endurance events (which this technically is, though there is absolutely no requirement to run an ultra!)).
Any runner completing 26.2 miles will have completed an official marathon (by 100 Marathon Club standards) of about 26.2 miles, 27+ miles will have completed an ultra. As long as you finish one lap then you'll receive an official finish time, medal and goody bag. With timed events there are no DNFs.
How are laps counted?
At race registration you'll be given a lap counting card. Attach this to yourself with a safety pin or cable tie. At the end of each lap get this punched by one of the card punchers, this keeps track of the distance that you've done so keep it safe!. So basically at the end of each lap, either get your card punched, or ring the bell! Ringing the bell signifies you are "ringing out" and have stopped running for the day.
Do I have to run for the whole time?
No! You can stop at any time you wish, just as long as you complete one lap you are an official finisher, ring the finishers bell and you're done, medal and goody bag will be yours!
Can I stop at marathon distance?
Yes. If you complete 26.2 miles it will count as a marathon finish by 100 Marathon Club standards and we'll even give you a little badge to pin to your medal ribbon to signify the distance you ran! (There is an ultra badge too if you complete 27+ miles)
Do you have secure baggage facilities
No. But you're free to leave bags at the start/finish. There will always be someone around but we can't guarantee their security. You'll be able to park close to the start/finish don't forget.
Can I leave my own drinks/food at the aid station?
Yes no problem at all, we have a dedicated table for runners own supplies if they have anything special that they'd like to bring along.
Trail shoes? Road Shoes?
Road shoes should be fine if its dry. Otherwise possibly trail or hybrid as a fair bit is on tarmac, and also a fair bit on grassy trails.
Is the course closed to the public?
No. We are on a public nature reserve and bike paths. Runners do not have the right of way and need to be considerate of other users of the land, there may be dog walkers, ramblers or cyclists on any part of the course. Please don't litter. We'll have a bin at the base camp, please use this and there are several bins on the route too.
What on course facilities do you provide?
Water, squash, nibbles, starter, timekeeper and encouragement every lap! Base station will be well stocked for all runners. This is a typical example of the picnics, sorry aid station, we have...
Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?
Yes there are toilets inside the hotel, a bar and restaurant.
Can I use an ipod or mp3 player on the course?
Yes. Though please be aware that you are running on public footpaths with the general public so make sure that you pay attention to traffic, people, children on bikes, wildlife and so on.
The nearest train station is Northampton and is 2.8 miles away.
Date Saturday 1st May 2021
Timings Location Opens: 07:00
Registration Opens: 08:00
Race Briefing: 08:50
Event Start: 09:00
Location Holiday Inn Northampton, Bedford Rd, Northampton NN4 7YF (Map)
Entry £39.95
Course 5.17 mile loops.
Complete as many or as few as you wish within the 6 hour time limit. (There will be a "mini-lap" to make up marathon distance for those who want to complete 26.2 miles)
Changes The cut off for requests to changes to entries is 25th April 2021
Waitlist There will be no waitlist for this event.
Runners Name
Email (if different from Paypal)
As is the norm with running events there are no cancellations, refunds or transfers, however if in the event of cancellation of the event due to unforseen circumstances, snow, adverse weather or similar then we'll offer a free transfer to a re-arranged date or the following years event. Please see our "Fair Runner Policy" for more information.
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