Dorset Hillfort Ultra
01 November 2020
Enjoy the history and hills of West Dorset as you run from one ancient hillfort to another in our 35 mile running event. It’s not flat, but it is exceedingly pretty – which is good as there will be plenty of cake to keep you going.
We offer a Coronavirus Guarantee so you can enter with peace of mind (see T&Cs).
Route:
Starting in the pretty Dorset village of Cattistock, the route takes you up hill to Eggardon Hillfort (10km / 6.2 miles), with its fantastic views over the Marshwood Vale and Lyme Bay. This will be the first Cake Stop. As well as filling you up with goodies we use these to check you are safely through, give you an intermediate time, provide you with water and stuff some cake into your hand. You will need to ensure that we check off your number here, even if you don’t stop for fuel. If you’re running in the team event these are where the handover points are too.
Plunging down from Eggardon you then climb up to cross – with the greatest of care - the Bridport road and pass another fort (15 km / 9.3 miles) on the way. It’s then down again and up to Abbotsbury Castle (22 km / 13.7 miles) with its splendiferous views of the sea and Portland Bill, with St Catherine’s chapel in the foreground (perhaps one of the most famous views on the Jurassic Coast).
From here we have put in an easy section (I must be getting soft) along the ridge following the inland route of the South West Coast Path, again with great views out to sea. Hardy Monument (28 km / 17.5 miles) is not a full Cake Stop but a drinks station and is soon passed, after which there is a long gentle downhill section to Maiden Castle (36 km / 22.5 miles). As well as cake there will be sandwiches here.
The next section has a few small lumps before (after another drinks stop at 42 km / 26 miles) you tackle the gentle but rising ridge up the ridge between Sydling St Nicholas and Maiden Newton, from whence you descend past Castle Hill into Cattistock and your triumphal arrival at the finish. (57 km / 35.6 miles).
The route is all on public rights of way with a small amount on quiet roads. The majority of the route is off road on old turf and on tracks, which may or may not be uneven, muddy or hard-baked. There are a couple of busy road crossings, but no running along busy roads. All runners must ensure that gates are closed behind them, even if another runner is just behind you. Failure to close gates may lead to disqualification. Abiding by The Countryside Code is an integral part of our terms and conditions.
Navigation:
- - GPX files will be available.
- - Maps and turn-by-turn notes will be available for each section. The next section will be handed out at each control so you don’t have to worry about carrying too many bits of paper.
- - Marshalls will be positioned on busy crossings (but it is still your responsibility to cross only when it is safe).
Equipment (this bit is serious so please take note):
This event is not only a test of stamina. You should also have a degree of self-sufficiency. Cake Stops and those places mentioned in the route description will have water and food and there will be a doctor at one of the later controls to asses you if you are, or appear, to be having trouble. However you need to have the following minimum kit on you:
- - Emergency Mars Bar or similar
- - Charged mobile phone with data and wifi turned off to preserve battery life
- - Waterproof jacket & hat
- - Water bottle / Camelback (we do not provide plastic bottles or cups, you will be filling your own receptacles at the intermediate points)
- - A sense of humour. There will be times you feel cream crackered and will wonder why you’re not sitting in a pub beer garden on such a lovely day. Most people will have a dark moment or two. Push on and you will come out the other end and it will get better, but it’s easier if you can laugh about it. Mental strength is as important as physical strength in long distance events.
- - All of the above should fit into what our American cousins call a fanny pack / dedicated endurance racepack – apart from your humungous sense of humour which will be on display for everyone to enjoy.
Control Points aka Cake Stops:
You will be given a card to get stamped at each control. This is our way of knowing where you are on the route, and it makes a nice momento for you to keep of a splendid day in West Dorset. It will also have your emergency contact details on it so look after it. No card = no cake as sadly some people ‘tag along’ at events like these without entering.
At the control point a marshall will stamp your card and record your time on our master sheet. There will be cut-off times based on a 10 hour finish.
Water & squash (excellent in warm weather as it takes away the boring taste of tepid water) are available at all controls. You must fill up your drinks container at each station.
Cake and flapjack etc are available at each control. Gluten free and vegan versions will also be on hand but these are reserved for those who alert us to their dietary requirements in advance. At the Maiden Castle control there will also be sandwiches.
You should bring your own tried and tested sports gels etc as we cannot cater for all brands and you should not try something new on an event like this.
Teams:
Can number from 2 to 4 people. Changeovers must occur at one of our official Control Points but it is up to you as a team to decide who runs which legs and how many legs they run. All team captains will be asked to fill in a schedule in advance saying who is running which leg and giving the runner's contact number. Only one team member may run each leg: each team member must complete 1 leg but there is no maximum number of legs that each team member must complete. Team members' legs do not need to be consecutive.
In its simplest arrangement, 4 runners would complete 2 consecutive legs each, making each runner's effort equal 8 - 10 miles.
Leg 1: 6.25 miles
Leg 2: 3.2 miles
Leg 3: 4.3 miles
Leg 4: 3.75 miles
Leg 5: 5 miles
Leg 6: 3.75 miles
Leg 7: 6.25 miles
Leg 8: 3.2 miles
Start and Finish:
There is on-street parking near the start and finish. Tea and coffee are available at both, plus something to eat at the finish. You should ensure you have eaten an adequate breakfast before starting. There will be two start times with slower runners welcome to begin at 7 am and faster ones at 8 am. Please gauge your effort and select the correct start time for your ability – it will make the event more fun as you will have more support from other runners for more of the day. Placings will be done on times, not finishing position.
Cut-off time:
The event cut off time will be calculated on a 9.5 hour finish for the 7 am start (8.5 hours for the 8 am start. If you are concerned about the cut-off time you should ensure you start in the first wave. This will ensure that the event can be completed entirely in the light.
Questions?
Please email us at takepart@gjevents.co.uk
Not up to it in 2020? Volunteer and get a free entry for a friend this year, or for you next year!
The aim of the event is to have fun, to provide a challenge, to look after you superbly, and to have you coming back for more!
Dorchester
Dorchester
DT2 0JH
Registration open from: 06:00:00
Organiser: Green Jersey Events
Race Director:Charlie Bladon
Tel:07974 148229
Email:takepart@gjevents.co.uk
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