These are the race instructions for the 41st Ridgeway Run which was held on Sunday 8 October 2023 at 10:00am.
Race instructions for the 2024 event will be posted here when entries are open. In the meantime, the details below will remain roughly the same for the next event.
Race day instructions
The event is held under UK Athletics rules (Trail Race), permit number 5807. Click here to see a copy of the permit.
RACE HQ: Tring Park Cricket Club (map). Postcode for car park: HP23 5NW.
START: Marshcroft Lane, which is a 10-15minute walk from the Cricket Club.
FINISH: Tring Park Cricket Club.
ROUTE: Want to see what you are letting yourself in for? See the route page.
ON ARRIVAL
- Race numbers will be available for collection at the Cricket Club from 8:30am on the morning of the race.
- Please allow at least 15 minutes to get to the start from the Cricket Club. The race will start at 10am sharp so if you arrive at the start after this time you will have a chip time but your gun time will be incorrect.
- Please do not park near the start as this causes problems for local residents. Parking should be available at the Cricket Club – marshals will direct you towards it.
- In the event of bad weather you will be directed to alternative car parks in Tring a short walk from the Cricket Club. Please note a charge may be made for these car parks.
ON SITE THIS YEAR:
- Changing facilities, showers (male/female) and toilets available at the Cricket Club, plus additional portable loos available outside the Cricket club.
- Runners’ Retreat stall. They are also providing vouchers for the winners.
- Coffee van by the registration area.
- Refreshments for sale in the Cricket Club pavilion, including bar, tea, bacon rolls etc
- Finishers’ t-shirts marking the 50th anniversary of the Ridgeway National Trail
- Snacks for finishers with contributions from Tring Running Club and Tesco Tring store.
- Presentation of prizes at the Cricket Club at approx 12 noon.
- A bib-number raffle to win Chimney Fire Coffee taster packs and 15% off their coffee from 2-16 October 2023 using the code RIDGEWAY15
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES
Runners’ Retreat vouchers as follows:
- 1st Man £70, 1st Woman £70
- 2nd Man £40, 2nd Woman £40
- 3rd Man £20, 3rd Woman £20
- 1st MV40 £20, 1st FV40 £20
- 1st MV50 £20, 1st FV50 £20
- 1st MV60 £20, 1st FV60 £20
- 1st MV70 £20, 1st FV70 £20
TEAM PRIZES
Team prizes are awarded to the runners from a club or team with the fastest aggregate gun time.
Mens teams, first 3. Ladies teams, first 3. £30 Runners’ Retreat voucher for each team member
NUMBER TRANSFERS
While we do not give refunds or allow the deferring of entries if you are unable to run, we are happy to allow you to transfer of your entry to another runner. Transfers are handled via Results Base. All transfers must be completed by 12 noon on Saturday 7th October 2023.
IMPORTANT: ROAD CROSSINGS, HAZARDS AND OTHER POINTS
- Please note that the race involves the crossing of several roads. The crossing points will be marshalled but marshals are NOT able to stop the traffic. It is YOUR responsibility to cross safely. Please take particular care especially when crossing into the finish. Losing a place is better then a life or a limb.
- The start is in the vicinity of houses on Marshcroft Lane. Be respectful to residents- stay out of gardens & driveways, leave no litter or worse, and keep the noise at a respectable level for a Sunday morning.
- The course passes through two stables- marshals will ask you to keep noise to a minimum and be mindful of any horses and riders.
- The course is multi-terrain. This means there are bumps and lumps and stumps and branches and all the hazards of the countryside. You know that, that’s why you are doing the race, but take care. The descent of Incombe Hole (a little before the second water station) can be very slippery when wet and Pitstone Hill (just after the second water station) has a lot of rabbit holes; don’t go down one.
- Please show consideration to other users of public footpaths and rights of way.
- Entrants are not permitted to wear headphones and anyone doing so may be disqualified.
- Please wear your number pinned to your chest, not on your back, shorts, socks, belt, hat or in your hair. It needs to be clearly visible as you cross the finish line.
- No dogs allowed.
- First aid will be available at the start and finish, at the Bridgewater Monument (approx 3 miles and the top of the big hill) and at Pitstone Hill car park (approx 6 miles). There will also be the water stations at these points.
- When leaving the car park if the race is still in progress you will be asked to turn RIGHT in order to avoid crossing the race route.
- Please keep an eye on the race Facebook page for any last minute instructions.
- Minimum entry age is 18 on the day of the race
2023 ENTRY FEES:
- £15- affiliated
- £17- unaffiliated
* As the Ridgeway Run has an EA permit, you can pay the affiliated fee if you are personally affiliated. There is an additional 6% fee payable to Resultsbase for each entry.
A new option this year will be to select “Trees not Tees” instead of a finisher’s t-shirt. A tree will be planted in your name and you’ll receive a certificate from Tees not Trees. As part of this, your contact details will be shared with THE (GLOBAL) FUTURE FOREST COMPANY LTD.
FAQs
- Is there a cut off time for completing the course?
– There is no official cut off, and ‘not fast’ runners are very welcome. Most runners complete the course in under 2 hours 15 mins. - Should I wear spikes?
– No. There are sections of road at the start / finish. Trail shoes are ideal, if you have them. - Will there be a bag drop facility at the Cricket Club?
– Bags can be left outside the cricket club, near the number collection desk. - I missed getting a place. How can I be sure of getting a place next year?
– The race sells out faster every year. If you ‘like’ the Ridgeway Run Facebook page you will be one of the first to hear when entries open in May. We only post about half a dozen times a year, so you won’t be inundated.