The main race route is around 10km (6 miles) and with about 340m (1000') of ascent.
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The race is run under FRA regulations as a Category B Medium event.
Under these regulations, the main race is open to people aged 18 or over. Under 18s please check the 'juniors' page.
The regulations include a safety requirement that competitors arrive at the event ready to carry full kit, comprising full waterproof body cover, a map and compass suitable for navigating the course and a whistle.
So far, the weather for the event has always been sufficiently good to allow the race organiser to waive the kit requirement. But this is England so one thing that cannot be counted on is the weather. Please bring full kit and a means of carrying it with you, as you will not be allowed to compete, or disqualifed, if the race organiser decides kit must be carried and you do not have it.
If kit is to be carried, there will be signs at and around registration.
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The route is unique, varied and challenging. Most of the first km is downhill, through the village before taking off down a track. Right off the track and through a small pond to head over some fields and a gentle start to climbing before the first and biggest climb makes itself felt, up to the Abney Moor trig point on Durham Edge (so you get to bag an Ethel on this route). From there it is on to Abney Moor with a descent over rough ground to a small reservoir before heading up to the highest point on the Moor. From there a fast descent to the road, a short stretch of tarmac before heading down the renowned hidden clough into Breton Clough. Another foot wetting guaranteed. Find your way through the bumps and hillocks of the Clough before climbing out the top end of it toward Abney Grange. Over some fields before dropping down through the woods to the finish, back at the school. Look out for slippy gravel on steep tarmac as you take the turn from the woodland track onto school lane.
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Please do not train on or recconoitre the route. The route uses a lot of private land away from rights of way, and includes sections through protected areas (we need permission from Natural England to run the event through SSSIs on the route). The event depends on continued goodwill from more than 10 different landowners. Please do not jeopardise the event by trespassing.
Please note, Abney Moor access land is a dog exclusion zone (other than on footpaths) , and the Moor is closed (other than footpaths) from Mid May to end of June to protect ground nesting birds.
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