Pennine Trail Marathon Event Guide

Welcome to the Pennine Trail Marathon Event Guide email!

Firstly, we'd like to say a massive thank you for joining us on our second running of the event. We're excited to bring you the trail marathon at the heart of the Pennines that one runner described as 'a bit cheeky'.

Onto the details, but first for a few updates!

Marked on the route are the 4 aid stations, information on these available below

COURSE MAPS

Course maps will be available for you to collect at registration. You must carry this with you as part of your mandatory kit.

The course will be marked the day before and we intend to have runners checking in the morning to ensure the flags and markers are still in place. However, arrows and flags can be moved despite our best efforts, so please if you can download and use the GPX file provided below on your watch or GPS device, this will also be useful and help ease the poor RO's nerves back at the finish.

GPX File

A3 Map

View Route on Strava

EVENT VILLAGE

We've a slightly different start and finish this year with a few changes occurring at Simply Fields this year which means the start and finish will be in a different field. You'll begin with a downhill to kick things off, which means there's a sting in the trail right at the end, so save something for the finish... (very good views up there though you'll be pleased to know!)

Please arrive for the race in plenty of time and car share where possible. Once you arrive at parking, you will be directed to park up in the parking field where you can walk up to registration where you can collect your race number and t-shirt.

Portaloos and a urinal block will be situated in the car parking field, please make use of this in plenty of time of the race so we can get you setting off as close to 8am as possible. 

With an early start this time, we are wary of the potential impact on local residents so please be respectful before the race by keeping volume levels down. (once you've set off, it's a different story..)

There will be pre race drinks available from Pendle Grill and post race drinks and food available from both Pendle Grill and Graft Pizza, (which I'm sure will go down a MASSIVE treat at the end). Our merchandise stand will also be open to purchase gear before and after the race too.

We want to create an epic day out for everyone, so please take advantage of the caterers to make their support of the event worth the trip. 

The start and finish will also be located here (you can't miss the gigantic race arch), which will have live chip timing provided by Timing Up North, which will be available here as soon as the race sets off.EVENT CATERERS

We have enlisted our friends at Graft Pizza and Pendle Grill to supply you with well earned post race pizzas once more. Both will have vegan friendly options too. 

Both suppliers should have card options available but please bring cash just in case.

Farmer Neil, of Simply Fields, will also be opening his bar for post race beers and soft drinks at the event marquee. This is payment by cash only.

RACE DAY TIMELINE:

Date: 

26th August 2023 

Parking: 

Simply Fields, Worsthorne, Burnley, BB10 3LF arrive via Hurstwood Lane and follow signs for parking. Arrive in plenty of time to collect your number and use toilet facilities.

Registration Location: 

Follow marshal direction and signs to the registration location.

Merchandise: 

Pennine Trails merch will be available before and after the race from the merch stand.

Registration Opens: 

6:00am - please collect your race number, free commemorative event t-shirt and/or pre-order t-shirts.

Registration Closes: 

7:45am

Race Brief: 

7:50am, from the start gantry at Race HQ - You should all know the information like the back of your hand after revising this race briefing, but please arrive in plenty of time to hear the information in case there are any new developments which need to be mentioned on the day.

Race Begins: 

8:00am 

Bag Drop:

Available at the Registration, goods left at your own risk. 

Race Goodies:

Collect as you cross that finish line!

Prize Giving:

Prize giving will take place around 2:00pm or once we have the age category winners in.

Don't forget, at Pennine Trails our team prize consists of 2 men and 2 women from the same team, so it's all to play for!

RACE DAY DETAILS:

Parking: 

Parking will be available for free in the field located on the event village map. There will be a marshal to direct you in and park you up. Please follow their instructions to get you parked up quickly.

Race HQ: 

Once you have parked, please make your way to Race HQ. You will collect your number, t-shirts (pre-order or free with entry) and can purchase coffee and food from our caterers. Merchandise will be available to purchase too. 

Portaloos will be located here as well, please arrive in plenty of time to ensure there's not a mad dash holding up the start of the event.

Course Information: 

The course will be flagged and marked at all crucial sections of the race. We will also have marshals staggered throughout the course in areas we feel it's needed. We are having runners check the course first thing in the morning to make sure all flags and markers are still in place.

However, if you are able to download the route GPX file to your device then please do so. Mandatory maps must also be carried.

Please ensure any and all gates are how you found them, especially keeping gates closed where sheep roam. Please also ensure no litter is dropped or left on the course to make sure we leave no trace of the event.

The course is shared with cyclists, walkers, horse riders and passes through farm lands, National Trust, United Utilities and Yorkshire Water areas and is all on public rights of way. Please be respectful of everyone you meet on the course to ensure future runnings of the event can go ahead.

There are a few brief road sections on route so please be mindful of this, keep your awareness and don't run in to moving traffic. Please.

Aid Stations & Cut Off Times:

There will be 4 aid stations on the course, which are roughly stationed at the below miles:

1st checkpoint = 5.2 miles / 8.3km
Cut off time = 1 hour 45 minutes (water available)

2nd checkpoint = 11 miles / 17.7km
Cut off time = 3 hours 20 minutes (water and food available)

3rd checkpoint = 14.4 miles / 23.7km
Cut off time =  4 hours 30 minutes (water available)

4th checkpoint = 19.8 miles / 31.8km
Cut off time = 6 hours (water and food available)

At checkpoints 2 and 4 there will be a wide range of food and fuel which will include flapjacks, cakes, jam and peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, soft drinks, flat coke, crisps, peanuts sweets and jelly babies.

We will not have cups available at aid stations to reduce waste and be as eco friendly as we can be, so you will be able to fill your mandatory collapsible cups or water bottles with jugs or taps on the containers of water.

Bringing your own fuel is also part of mandatory kit so please ensure you carry what you need for the event, but take advantage of all the food available when you reach the checkpoints.

If you fail to meet the cut offs listed above, you will be withdrawn from the event. This is for the safety of all runners and marshals on course, please respect the marshals decision. You will then be driven back from the checkpoint to the finish.

Event Safety:

We have professional event first aiders Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue stationed around the course and at the start and finish. 

If you need to withdraw, please let the nearest marshal know you are dropping out of the race. Make your way to the closest checkpoint (if you are able) at miles 5.2, 11, 14.4 and 19.8 and marshals stationed there will take you back to the start/finish. 

You MUST let us know if you are withdrawing from the event and come back to the start/finish to let us know you have returned for your safety.

In case of emergencies you must store our Event Safety Vehicle Phone Number (07736647719) to your mobile phone (which is part of your mandatory kit). 

Mandatory Kit:

We will keep you updated on this kit list, but as of now the weather is looking mixed. You must carry the following:

• Waterproof Jacket
• Waterproof Pants
• Hat
• Gloves
• Spare long sleeve base layer
• Mobile phone with saved number for emergencies (07736647719)
• 1L Liquid (recommended minimum)
• Fuel - both gels and food (e.g. flapjacks, chocolate bars) recommended
• Map of the route (provided at registration)
• Collapsible cup or refillable water bottle for aid stations. 

The course is mainly on gravel tracks, it is recommended you have cushioned shoes with some grip. An example of this is the inov-8 Trailfly G 280

If you are in need of any new kit, remember you have a special Pennine Trails 10% discount code for exclusive use on the inov-8 website – all you have to do is apply the code PENNINETRAILS10 whilst at the checkout.

After Race Food & Refreshments:

You can't run a marathon and not expect a good refuelling option available at the finish... Which is why we have arranged for hearty grilled food and pizzas available for you to purchase at the event village!

You will have the options of craft pizzas from Graft Pizzas (which went down a massive storm at last year's event), but also the fantastic options from Pendle Grill.

Once you have finished, collected your medal and changed into your comfiest garments, please stay to cheer on your fellow marathoners and take advantage of the food and pizzas available for you to purchase at the finish.

As previously mentioned, the bar will also be open at Race HQ for post race beverages as well.

Coffee will also be available to purchase before and after the race. Card options should be available but just in case, bring cash too.

Results & Photography:

You will be able to access live results at: 
http://www.timingupnorthresults.co.uk

Photos will be available shortly after the event at: 
https://mickhallphotos.photohawk.com/albums/events-2023

That's your lot in this bumper Race Day Details email for this year's inov-8 Pennine Trails Marathon! No deferrals, swaps or cancellations can be made at this late stage and we will do our best to get back to any queries throughout the week as we are busy away making this year's event as epic as can be.

See you bright and early next Saturday!