We will be back again for the fourth annual running of this challenging, friendly but fun......don't forget it's fun, event. Some say they perhaps glimpsed a bit of mud and a slight mound or three in the ground on previous outings...but we just think it was a trick of the light.
So what is the challenge?
That's easy (to explain...not the challenge itself...that's not easy!!). You will be running in a part of the Wiltshire countryside encompassing the edge of Salisbury Plain.
The route covers approximately 5.30 miles with an overall elevation of 850ft per circuit. You can complete a solitary slightly extended lap as a 10k, or as many circuits as you can within your chosen time, be that 6, 12, or 24 hours. Sounds straight forward, doesn't it?
Oh, hang on...there is more. Each circuit will consist of 3 descents from the Plain back down to civilisation.
"Not bad" I hear you say. Well...it kinda is really, because after 2 of these descents you have to turn around and go straight back up the hill that you have just run down. Fun or evil...you decide.
You will meet runners on the way down as you are coming back up the same hills. You will also rub shoulders with runners as they are outward bound and you are heading homewards.
"Rubbing shoulders" is not a euphuism either...some of the tracks are quite narrow.
For those that elect to take the 24 hrs option we will also be introducing the 'BTFS 24 hrs Holy Grail'...24 laps in 24 hrs. That is 127.2 miles and 20,400 ft elevation in 24 hrs!!! It's a tall order. A really tall order. A really really tall order. Can it be done? Will take a special kind of nutter we feel.
So with that in mind anyone who completes the Holy Grail will have their entry fee refunded and automatically have free entry to the following year's event. You can of course just enter the 24 hrs and NOT do 24 laps...just like every other kind of regular, every day, nutter...we aren't gonna ask you to pay again or anything 'cos of that...hmmm...but then again.
You will find a fully stocked aid station in Race HQ where you can feast yourself as much as you wish. Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy Free and Gluten Free runners will also be fully catered for...you won't just find a handful of Twiglets as your only option!! A bean hotpot will also be provided from the 6 hour point onwards.
A unique and bespoke medal also awaits you...and in case you find yourself victim to a scary gang of badger hoodies (or twist an ankle etc.) then a fully equiped ambulance and medical team will also be present throughout the entire event.
Start times are as follows:
24 hrs - Fri 17 Jan 2020 - 2000 hrs (8pm)
12 hrs - Sat 18 Jan 2020 - 0700 hrs (7am)
6 hrs - Sat 18 Jan 2020 - 0700 hrs (7am)
10k - Sat 18 Jan 2020 - 0700 hrs (7am)
Cost per person 10K - £13
6 hrs - £35
12 hrs - £45
24 hrs - £65