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Hardmoors 30

01-Jan-2019 Whitby, including Robin Hoods Bay, Ravenscar, and Cloughton., Yorkshire & the Humber, UK (England)

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7 REVIEWS

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Trail Race Race Terrain

48KM / 30Miles
1 Day

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Intermediate

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The race starts at Robin Hoods Bay and follows old railways lines in a circular route to return to the same spot. It includes: Whitby, Cleveland Way, Ravenscar and Hayburn Wyke.

The route is fully marshalled and there are 6 checkpoints along the route and the cut-off is 9 hours. Mandatory kit spot checks will be in place.

Event Organiser
Shirley Steele

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Beginner

Elevation: Very little change < 500 metres. Benign running terrain, not technical.

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Endurance - Multi-activity

Type: An ultra distance race including at least two of the following activities such as running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, skiing and climbing. It may also include different climatic conditions (eg ice, snow, humidity, cold water, mud or heat).

Suitable for: Experienced multi-skilled athletes who have trained for the different activities included in this event. Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements and any specialist equipment required such as a wetsuit, skis or a mountain bike.

Global - Virtual

Type: A virtual race which can be run at any time shown on the dates shown, on any type of terrain in any country.

Suitable for: For runners from beginners to experienced as you choose your own course and challenge based on the guidelines and options set by the virtual race organiser.

Review Hardmoors 30

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SarahCrunning

09:45 01-01-19

I ran this in 2019 and can honestly say that it’s the best New Year I’ve had in a very long time. If you’re willing to delay your celebrations for 24 hours, then I highly recommend kicking off the year with this race.

If you have run Hardmoors 60, then about half of the route will be familiar to you as it is on the Cleveland Way. The other half is on the Cinder Track. I prefer the scenery and hills of the Cleveland Way, but the Cinder Track adds some variety. It is very runnable whilst being varied and undulating enough not to be boring.

In a nutshell, the route takes you from Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby on the Cinder Track. You then climb the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey and join the Cleveland Way to run back to Robin Hood’s Bay. The views from the clifftops are stunning. From Robin Hood’s Bay, you pick up the Cinder Track to run in the opposite direction to Hayburn Wyke before joining the Cleveland Way back to Robin Hood’s Bay. Both the Cleveland Way and Cinder Track are well signed and easy to follow. Any diversions or tricky areas are taped for the race. Navigation is not difficult.

This race is often a mudbath and the route can be very slippy in winter. We were lucky with the conditions this year - sunshine and a breeze for the first 4 hours and not too much mud. There was a strong headwind and some light rain thereafter. The exposed areas of the coast can get very windy.

As is usual for a Hardmoors race, organisation was impeccable, marshals fantastic and checkpoints excellent. The race has a friendly feel, and it being New Year’s Day adds to this.

I think this event would suit anyone used to trail running. It could be a good first ultra if you are familiar with the terrain - some steep climbs, a lot of steps, potentially muddy exposed coastal paths, a few rocky sections etc. It is challenging enough to also appeal to experienced ultra runners. If you haven’t had much experience of this kind of terrain, then it might be helpful to do a shorter event on similar trails first or to do some recce runs. There is nothing overly technical and it is mostly runnable unless you are climbing.

This is such a stunning part of the world, and I will definitely be back.

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Paintedrunner

10:16 14-02-17

01/01/2017.
Well organised race, from Robin Hoods Bay along the cinder path to Whitby, back to Robin Hoods Bay by the Cleveland Way coastal path, then out on the cinderpath beyond Ravenscar before heading back to the finish at Robin Hoods Bay. It was a windy day which added to the challenge, but views were stunning. This is a great way to start the year

lizzierunning

01:42 30-01-17

As with all the Hardmoors series, this is a superbly welcoming and friendly event. I am such a fan that I am attempting the Grand Slam of all their ultras this year! Navigation is straightforward on well marked paths and with a comprehensive route description to follow - any tricky bits are taped by the organisers.

The terrain is a mix of easy running on hard packed trail and slippery, muddy sections on the coastal part of the Cleveland Way. These coastal sections are very exposed, so suitable kit for winter conditions is needed. Lots of cheery marshals provide great support and there are well stocked checkpoints as well as pasta and cake at the finish!

All in all a fantastic start to the year. You can read my full race report here: https://lizzierunning.wordpress.com/2017/01/11/hardmoors-30/

UKRunCat

12:16 10-01-16

This was my first time at a Hardmoors event & it was a cracking introduction to their races. The route includes a mix of easy tracks & more technical, muddy trails along the cliffs but none of it is on particularly challenging terrain making it accessible to all who are considering the step up in distance from marathons.

A comprehensive route description is provided, but with markings for the first half & then clear & easy paths to follow for the remainder I never needed to use it, giving more time to enjoy the beautiful North Yorkshire coastal scenery.

I can't think of a better way to bring in the New Year! You can read my full report & how not to run it here: https://ukruncat.wordpress.com/2016/01/07/hardmoors-30/

chrismusther

09:11 06-01-16

Having run the Hardmoors 30 in 2016 - I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in giving trail marathons and/or ultras a go.

The figure-8 course is approximately half on the Cinder Path and half on the Cleveland Way, with the outer points being Whitby and Hayburn Wyke. This means half is easily runnable, and the other half slightly more undulating on the cloastal paths.

Because it is based on the clearly marked existing trails, navigiation is minimal - needed only to link up bits of the existing trails, and is taped by the race organisers. The simple navigation, minimal mandatory kit, and fact that it's only a small step-up from marathon distance make a great start to the year, a great introduction to ultras, and a whole lot of fun for seasoned ultra-runners.

The organisation is great, with the organisers themselves (and many of the team) having completed many fell/ultra races. Standing out in the cold on New Years Day they still have enthusiasm and encouragement at each checkpoint, as well as well-stocked aid-stations with a good variety of sweet/savoury and water/coke. The soup/quiche/cake laid on at the end of the race at HQ was fantastic! Clearly the folks around the area, and the tourists too, are familiar with the race also: They are encouraging and helpful as you meet them on the trails and in the towns - share a few "Happy New Years" on your way around!

All-in-all, a massive thanks to Jon and Shirley for running the Hardmoors. I'll be back for the 55 in 2016, and hopefully for the 30 in 2017!

2007potton

05:30 05-01-16

The hardmoors 30 is a brilliant way to start the year off and not only that it's an ideal introduction to ultras. The first 6 or 7 mile are nice and flat to warm the legs and lungs up then you hit whitbys 199 steps to get you on the Cleveland way and this is were the fun starts with all the mud hills and steps but even with all that it's still very runnable all the way back to robin hoods bay to where I called it a day with IT band problems. Up until then though it was a cracking race and I'll definitely be back to defeat it next year

shirleysteele

07:26 18-11-14

Fabulous way to start the year!

Hardmoors 30