Hurtwood 50 - Race Detail & Info

Info about the Rolling Start option!

There is the option to start from 8.15am - 9.15am in a rolling start, before the mass race start at 9.30am.

This is to help ease any congestion along the first few miles of the route, plus give those expecting to be out longest a bit more daylight before it gets dark in the evening and is a more relaxed feeling to the start and registration process.

Once registered and you are ready to start you can simply go to the start / finish line, see our marshal to help you ‘dib’ your timing chip and set off! This can be done solo or with friends you are wanting to run with, and will be a relaxed, first come first served affair with no requirements for any set time or space between starters. (It will be safer to have the GPX file showing you the way if starting before the mass start as it can be easier to go the wrong way without lots of people around!)

Then at 9.30am the mass start to the race will take place. We would hope that the fastest runners expecting to be at the front of the race, start in the mass start so you know who you are racing, though we understand time commitments (eg public transport etc) may mean this doesn’t always happen.

- Venue - Dorking Sports Centre, Reigate Road, Dorking

- Parking - Is in both St Martins Walk Car Park, RH4 1UX and in High Street, Wathen Road car park RH4 1YA These are a short walk down the High Street to the sports centre and is a change from previous years, to accommodate the new community Dorking Christmas market event on the same day.

- Registration opens at 7.30am and is in the large sports hall inside Dorking Leisure Centre. Here you will receive your race number, timing chip and any event T-Shirts. Toilets and changing rooms are opposite the sports hall. There is plenty of space for you to leave a bag in the HQ area but it will be left AT YOUR OWN RISK, as we cannot guarantee there will be members of our race crew in the sports hall at all times throughout the day.

- Race Briefing for the mass start will take place at the start line, which is outside the front of the sports centre at 9.20am

- UTMB - Hurtwood 50k qualifies towards your runner performance index for UTMB

- Covid - There will be hand sanitiser throughout the event, in the venue and on arrival at checkpoints, please use it.

- Kit List for this race has been planned to keep you safe and comfortable for the December race date, but takes into account the regular support on the course and ease of access to the the route should there be an emergency.  This kit is mandatory and is to be carried by each participant at all times during the race.  

  • Waterproof Jacket (Windproof not sufficient, must be hooded jacket with taped seams)

  • Spare long sleeve baselayer (Waterproofed in plastic freezer bag or equivalent, spare means spare - not part of your general clothing but as an extra warm layer you have with you in case of emergency)

  • Hat (Buff style headwear not acceptable as your only hat, please bring something warmer in case of use in an emergency)

  • Gloves (Fingerless gloves not acceptable)

  • Foil space blanket (even better, one of these!)

  • First Aid Provision - Sterile dressing and bandage as a minimum

  • Charged mobile phone (Waterproofed in plastic freezer bag or equivalent)

  • Hydration system with minimum 500ml capacity

  • Folding Cup for hot and cold drinks in Checkpoints - there will NOT be plastic/paper cups for participants in this race. Bring a cup suitable for hot drinks if you intend on having any at the checkpoints. The thin, lightweight options aren't suitable for hot drinks but may be carried if you intend on having squash / coke / water only whilst in CP's (you may use your bottles in checkpoints instead of bringing a cup - that’s fine. The point is we will NOT have cups for you at checkpoints!)

  • Basic nutrition (to be supplemented via Checkpoints)

  • Headtorch You will need a headtorch if you expect to be out after dark. If you are expecting to be 6+ hours then bring a headtorch as part of your kit (there is 6.5 hours of daylight, with a total time limit for the race of 10 hours!)  This is NOT a mandatory piece of kit for the whole field, but be sensible and realistic and bring one if you are likely to be out over 6 hours.

  • Waterproof Trousers are highly recommended if the weather is bad and could make the difference between completing or not. Those taking longer to cover the distance should very much think of having them.

  • Spare leg wear is also recommended in case of bad weather / cold conditions.

- Support Crews and spectators are allowed to follow you and supply you with food and drink in addition to race checkpoint supplies.  We ask that they do not come to the checkpoint locations but meet you elsewhere.  There are many car parks on the Greensand Way in the Surrey Hills that can be used for this.

- Running poles and Headphones are allowed but please be aware and considerate to other participants and members of the public at all times.  Take headphones out when crossing / following any roads during the route.

- Time Limit is 10 hours, with last cut off for finishing at 7.30pm.   This event is purposefully accessible to people wishing to try an Ultra distance running race or for those wishing to walk the whole way. 

- Cut Off There are two cut offs in the race. 3.30pm at Checkpoint 3 which is 18 miles and 5pm at Checkpoint 4 which is at 24 miles. Anyone not reaching this checkpoint by this time will be transported back to the race venue.

- Course Records; Female, Julia Davis 4:12:00, 2022. Male, Kevin Quinn 3:44:23, 2022

- Total ascent is 4192 ft for the race.  Leith Hill is the highest point in the route and it is a gradual ascent to it from Dorking at the start of the race on the way out, but a nice few miles of slightly downhill running on the return at the end of the race.  Generally the hills are a mix of gentle ascent and short, sharp climbs - this applies to the downhills in the race too!

- Arrival & Departure  The venue opens at 7.30am on Sunday morning and closes at 7.30pm on Sunday evening. 

- 4 Checkpoints will have water, squash, coke and a mixture of sweet and savoury snacks such as sandwiches, crisps, Tom’s Mum’s flapjack (you’ll know it if you’ve had it before…), chocolate, sweets, bananas, nuts etc.  Tea and coffee will be available at checkpoint 1 & 4.

These are the Checkpoint locations;

- 1 - 7.5 miles - Leith Hill - what3words - minus.bills.wash

- 2 - 13.4 miles - Winterfold Hill - what3words - things.hiring.scorecard

- 3 - 18 miles - Winterfold Hill - what3words - things.hiring.scorecard

- 4 - 23.9 miles - Leith Hill - what3words - minus.bills.wash

- Route Map for the 50k race is HERE 

- Downloadable GPX FILE HERE - This is via OS Maps. OR for another file click the link below

GPX file from our 2023 route check run on 29.11.23

We recommend having a gps device as backup whilst you are running - many running watches allow you to upload the route onto them, or viewranger is a great free app to enable your smartphone to be used as a gps.

- Route Markings are small permanent discs that are generally fixed to posts with an obvious 'GW' (Greensand Way) on them in yellow.  The race route follows 12 miles of the Greensand Way from Dorking, then leaves the GW for the 5 mile loop before rejoining it and following it back to Dorking for the same 12 miles as earlier in the race.

We will also use plentiful Hurtwood 50k specific signage throughout the route.  These will be small arrow signs with the FR from our logo on them, stapled to posts to guide you.  These will have reflective tape on them so they are visible once it is dark.