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Hell On The Humber

16-Aug-2019 The Humber Bridge, Ferriby Road, Hessle, East Yorkshire, UK (England)

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7 REVIEWS

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Road Race

TIMED
2 Days - 200+ Runners

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Beginner

Entry From £37.5 GBP

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Hell On the Humber, or HOTH as it’s affectionately known by the competitors who return year after year to test themselves against this brutal event, takes place on the world famous Humber Bridge, and is truly an endurance race like no other.

Details

Competitors start the race on a Saturday in August and run, jog, walk or crawl their way through 6, 12, 24, or 36 hours of soul destroying and body breaking 4 mile laps of the bridge walkway, racking up as many miles as they can before crossing the finish line at 7am on Sunday. It’s tough, it’s challenging, and it hurts like nothing else you can imagine, and you will hate the race at some point.

We can guarantee that whether you’re a novice, or the most experienced of Ultra runners, you will hurt and you will want to quit. You’ll rationalise and reason to find a way out; or your body will simply start to fail. Have you got what it takes to keep going and join the small and exclusive group of HOTH finishers?

The Challenge

We don’t call HOTH an Ultra event as such, though it’s entirely possible that it could be for you, if that’s your choice. We prefer to refer to HOTH as an endurance race, as everybody is different and you don’t necessarily need to complete a distance over 26.2 miles to challenge your own endurance. As long as you meet the minimum requirements and follow the rules, you’re welcome to step forward and put your name on the list. Don’t let the enormity of the challenge intimidate you, with preparation and a positive mind you can achieve your goal and finish this most challenging of events. We’re also very nice to novices, so don’t feel you’ll be intimidated by serious runners only!

Do it on your own, or as a team of three, whichever race format you choose is equally as testing, just in different ways.

Read Helen Seymour's 2014 race review here.

Event Organiser
Karl Jackson

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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 Hell On The Humber

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siteatis

05:25 31-03-21

Good heavens. If there's one thing this event can do, it's get people of all abilities ultra running. You'd think running exactly 2 miles out and 2 miles back, along a suspension bridge, over and over again, completely exposed to wind and rain from every direction, would put people off but everyone's getting into the spirit and somehow the bizarre setting just seems to add to the fun. As a wicked extra twist, you have to complete your last lap within an hour of the final bell, so unlike other events you can't just bale out halfway through the 24 hours and still expect a medal...

Mandy Moo

01:15 25-08-16

First timer at the 12 hour event in August 2016. Cannot reccomend this highly enough. I'm not an ultra runner, I'm just a runner but this event enabled me to complete something I wouldn't believe possible. The event is very well organised, safety and welfare of the participants second to none. For me this event was perfect as it was at my own pace, regardless of how you complete it - you could even crawl! The best bit is the other participants, as it's a out and back you see the same faces all the time and have total respect for everyone out there. You feel like you know each one at the end. Open to all abilities.

Lee73

10:08 18-10-15

WOW!! I'd heard about this event & decided to give the 12hr event a go, & boy does it live up to its name!! Everyone from the organisers to the competitors were nothing but encouraging & supportive!! I'd highly recommend that if you want to challenge both your running ability & mental strength to give it a go. (I immediately entered next urs 24hr run!!

Doogle444

11:58 19-08-15

a great event for the novice or experienced ultra runner alike. with the multi lap course and base camp set up, along with the friendliest group of nutters you can meet it is accesible and non intimidating. the timed format means there is no set distance so as long as you hit the minimum of one lap per segment (3 hours) you will finish. Done the 6 hr in 2013 and the 12 this year. will be back again but not sure on the 24 hour

McC

12:40 18-08-15

What a fantastically brutal event. Such a simple concept; almost impossible for sane people to comprehend; yet wonderfully addictive to those of us who return each year. No egos. No BS. Just smile, and keep moving to the end. You WILL suffer......
and then come back the year after for more of the same.

nosbig007

09:12 17-08-15

If you want to challenge your body and mind this is the race for you. Starting from the competitor "campsite" you simply run to the south of the Humber Bridge and back again, and again, and again...
It's a steel bridge with a smidgeon of asphalt so it will be tough on your body, but if it was easy it would be no fun at all! The team behind the race, the supporters and crews and all the other runners create an amazing atmosphere, even in the dead of night there is always someone to give you some encouragement.
You can choose 24, 12 or 6 hours with the 12 and 6 hours joining in at 7pm. I completed the 24 hour race in 2015 with a game plan that changed every hour but in the end to finish was a big enough reward.
It is very easy to see why people return every year for this race and I'm sure it won't be my last.

Shazzert

07:12 19-02-15

Fantastic Event ... Taken part since it's very launch bar a couple of times due to working ! Fantastic camaraderie race with no pressure! And the sunset and sunrise over the Humber is awesome. I competed in the 24 hour event in August and am looking forward to competing again this year :)

Hell On The Humber

16-Aug-2019 The Humber Bridge, Ferriby Road, Hessle, East Yorkshire, UK (England)

Details