Hello Hurtlers
The Hurtle is less than a week away and we can’t wait to see you all! Here are your final race instructions.
Travel to Hathersage
We encourage you to car share or consider using public transport to the event. Both the bus stop and the train station in the village are only a 10-minute walk from Race HQ. Please see travel info with all the details of how to travel to the event sustainably including bus and train timetables.
Parking
Free car parking is available in the field opposite Race HQ which is at The Football Fields, Hathersage, Derbyshire, S32 1BA (next to The David Mellor Cutlery Factory). You are asked to use this field rather than parking in the village. Please park as close as possible in the field to maximise space.
Please could we ask that if you are just being dropped off do not use the parking field but ask to be dropped off in the village and then walk down. (10 mins walk). We do not want the field to get too churned up. For safety reasons the car park will be entry only up until 10.00. Then exit only from 1300. It will be locked in between these times.
If the field becomes too waterlogged (not looking likely at the moment!), alternative parking will be organised. Directions will be given on the morning of the event.
In order to mitigate our climate impact we have decided to introduce an optional suggested donation of £5 to MOORS FOR THE FUTURE for parking. Either pay cash when you arrive or by the link below.
This is an excellent way of offsetting the carbon impact of the event as the work they do is vital to improving the health, biodiversity and vitality of the moors and the carbon they can therefore retain. Please bring cash for this or donate via the QR codes around the field or on the above link. Thank you.
Registration
Registration opens at 7.30am. You will need to register and be issued with your race number and Racetek wristband before starting the event. You don’t need to bring your entry number or email confirmation; we’ll be able to find you on the system with just your name.
Please take care not to lose your wristband. Any lost bands will incur a £10 charge.
T-shirts and buffs
If you pre-ordered a T-shirt, it will be available for collection at Registration. We also have a small number of Hurtle T-shirts from last year (a rather fetching green, £12) and 2021 year (no year on the T-shirt, a flattering navy, £10) and lots of Hurtle buffs (this years sky blue, green AND navy available, £5) available to buy on the day. First come, first served. Card payments are accepted.
Kit Storage and Keys
Kit storage will be available at Race HQ in the changing rooms at the football pavilion. All kit is left at your own risk and the Hathersage Hurtle will have no liability towards any loss.
Car keys can be left at Registration at the owner’s risk. All keys MUST be clearly labelled with name and contact number.
Kit
Whilst the current forecast for next Saturday is pretty perfect for hurtling (13C-17C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze), the weather can be very changeable at this time of year. Whilst we don’t have a minimum kit list, we reserve the right to refuse entry on the day to any entrants that we don’t believe are adequately equipped. We recommend that you consider both the forecast and carrying the following kit: waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, hat, gloves, emergency food, sunscreen, sun hat.
We also recommend that you wear trail or fell shoes as road shoes are not appropriate for parts of this challenging course.
The Start
Walkers: When you are ready to start (any time between 8 and 9am), you will need to swipe the start checkpoint with your wristband. This will be on a stake next to a marshal at the exit gate of the football field and will record your exact start time. Walkers must have left the field by 9am. There will be a reminder at 8:55am.
Runners: Call up for the start will be at 9.45am from the football field. There is a mass start at 10am in the field on the opposite side of the road to the football pitch, approximately 200m away. Exit the football field, cross the road, turn left and take the first footpath on the right after crossing the river. Marshals will be there to direct you. Please take care when crossing the road.
Runners who start before 10am will be disqualified. Runners who start late will still have their start time recorded as 10am.
The Course
The course is detailed on the route page Hathersage Hurtle Route It remains the same as 2022.
The course is a fixed route which will be marked with orange or yellow (compostable!) tape. Entrants need to swipe their Racetek wristbands at each of the eight checkpoints on the course. Anyone found to be taking short cuts between checkpoints will be disqualified.
Landowners have provided consent for the course route. Please advise the nearest marshal if you cause damage to private property such as a fence or wall. We also ask that you don’t bring your dogs with you please.
Photographers
There will be some Hurtle photographers dotted around the course and at the Start and Finish (with special thanks to Phil Sproson Photography, Suzanne from Peaklass.com, Kirsty and Chris). The photographs will be free to download after the race from our facebook page. Don’t forget to smile and do approach one of our photographers at the Finish if you’d like a photo taking of your team or group of friends.
Other Race Event
Please also note there is another race taking place on the day organised by Maverick Race Series. There are some parts of their course that intersect with ours. They will have a tent and feed station in Burbage Car park, your checkpoint 6 will be on the Burbage path. Please make sure you go to the correct feedstation.
Please make sure you follow the orange or yellow tape and be extra vigilant when following the route signs and if in doubt please reference the route that we have provided on the website. You can download it onto your watch or phone as a GPX file.
Please do not assume that other runners using the trails are part of our event
Their Maverick runners number look like this
and this is their signage
Feed stations and hydration
There are three feed/water stations around the route where there will be plenty of water, bananas, jelly babies and lots and lots of cake. Vegan and gluten free options will be available. Please note that as the cakes are all homemade, we’re afraid that we cannot guarantee they will be allergen free.
We continue to try and reduce our use of plastic at the race and we will not be providing any plastic cups for water at the feed stations. You need to carry your own bottle or cup to fill up at the stations. We will have Hydrapak Speed Cups available for sale on the morning of the race. They normally retail at £8 (plus P&P) and we are selling them at £5 per cup thanks to generous sponsorship from Hamnett Wealth Management. The cups are 200ml, have a carrying loop, squish down into a pocket and can be used time and time again. We can accept payments by card or, if you can, please bring a fiver to speed up the process.
Please be patient and polite to our volunteers when filling up your water bottles and cups. They’ll be going as fast as they can!
For those of you who have entered as walkers but are planning on running some or all of the route, the timings for the check points and feed stations are based on a fast walker setting off at 8am. You may wish to set off towards the end of the window for walkers to be sure that the first few checkpoints and the first feed station will be open.
Please note the opening/closing times for the following checkpoints:
Checkpoint 3/Feed Station 1 (Shatton Road crossing) doesn’t open until 9.45am (PLEASE NOTE walkers who might be running!) and will close at 12.00pm
Checkpoint 5/Feed Station 2 (Dennis Knoll) will be open from 10.35am and closes at 1.30pm.
Checkpoint 7/Feed Station 3 (Burbage South) closes at 3.30pm.
If you arrive after these times the marshals are likely to have left and there won’t be any refreshments.
Please keep the Peak District beautiful and leave your litter in a bin (there is one at each of the three feed stations and there will be bins for both recycling and rubbish at Race HQ) or take it home with you.
The Finish
The event officially finishes at 5pm for both runners and walkers. If you believe you are going to finish after this time, please contact the organisers on the number emailed to you.
Refreshments and Activities at the Start/Finish
Tea, coffee and lots and lots of lovely cake (with gluten-free and vegan options) are available all day with no charge to Hurtle entrants. There will be burgers (again, with gluten-free and vegan options), beer and ice cream for sale from 12 noon.
Early Retirement
You MUST inform the nearest marshal or telephone the organisers on the emergency number on the number emailed to you if you retire for any reason including injury, getting lost or dropping out. We do not want to launch a rescue search for missing walkers/runners. If you do retire you MUST report to the finish to return your Racetek wristband.
Contacting the organisers on the day
If you need to contact the race organisers on the day you can reach them on the number emailed to you. This phone will be switched on at 6.30am on race day.
Results
The results will be displayed live on RaceTek and on the Hurtle website after the event.
Prizes
MONTANE with coordination from our amazing local outdoor clothing and equipment shop OUTSIDE are kindly providing the prizes for the overall winners and the first in each age category. We also have some spot prizes equally kindly provided by local businesses including COLEMAN’S DELI, HOPE VALLEY VETERINARY CLINIC, HOPE VALLEY VINEYARD and INTREPID BREWERY, PHIL SPROSON PHOTOGRAPHY and PEAK DESIGN.
We do not have a formal prize giving but will give the prizes out at the Finish.
We are so looking forward to welcoming you to Hathersage and hope that you have a fantastic day out in the beautiful Peak District countryside.
The Hathersage Hurtle Team 2023