CANARY TRAIL EVENTS
The Surrey Hills Marathon is a beautiful 26.2 mile trail race through the very heart of the Surrey Countryside.
Starting at 9am at Powell Corderoy School in Dorking, the route takes in 4,000ft of ascent including the fabulous Pitch Hill, Holmbury Hill and Leith Hill whilst traversing some of the very best trails in the country before returning to the finish at the school. With an 8 hour cut off and three generously stocked aid stations, this single loop fully marked course is an ideal race for those who want to race hard, are making the transition from road marathons to trail events or for those trying their very first trail marathon.
The race starts just behind the Powell Corderoy Primary School and heads out across The Nower along the Greensands Way and round the back of Westcott. You then head up Rookery Drive, past the picturesque Mill House and head up onto Wolvens Lane. A steady climb through the woods will take you just past the four mile point until you cut off right and head along the top if a ridge before dropping down to the Greensands Way and turning sharp left, heading up to the main junction below Leith Hill Tower. After climbing up and passing the tower, you take a right turn and follow the path gently downwards through the woods until you meet the road at Broadmoor. Turning left you take the trail to Friday Street, across the bridge by Mill Pond and then through the woods, past Abinger and through Pasture Wood. After crossing the road at Holmbury St Mary you head up into the woods and up Telegraph Row and then on up to Holmbory Camp. Heading down via Hurtwood Car Park you pick up the Greensands Way again past the Duke of Kent School and on to Pitch Hill, before looping round the Hurtwood trails and heading back across the road back towards Holmbury St Mary again. Following the Greensands Way again you cross the road before, head through Pasture wood and begin climbing back towards Leith Hill. After descending the slope after Leith Hill Tower to turn down the Greensands Way and enjoy a long slow decent before dropping down towards Westcott. Still following the Greensands Way for the final couple of miles you arrive back at The Nower and the finish just outside the school hall.
The Course
Photo gallery
Photos courtesy of Leonard Martin Photography.
Aid Stations
They will serve plain water along with a good array of foodstuffs & whilst we try to cater for everybody, please bring along any specific foodstuffs or drinks/energy powders you require.
We are a cupless event so please ensure you have a collapsible or plastic/enamel mug for any drinks you want at the checkpoints.
Aid Station 1
Sheephouse Lane 7.5 Miles
They will serve plain water along with a good array of foodstuffs & whilst we try to cater for everybody, please bring along any specific foodstuffs or drinks/energy powders you require.
We are a cupless event so please ensure you have a collapsible or plastic/enamel mug for any drinks you want at the checkpoints.
Aid Station 3
Leith Hill road car park 20miles
They will serve plain water along with a good array of foodstuffs & whilst we try to cater for everybody, please bring along any specific foodstuffs or drinks/energy powders you require.
We are a cupless event so please ensure you have a collapsible or plastic/enamel mug for any drinks you want at the checkpoints.
Aid Station 2
Holmbury Hill Car park 12.5miles
Course Records
Year
Time
Female Record Holder
Year
Time
Male Record Holder
Distance
2024
4:10:46
Lissie Henry
2024
3:22:40
Ed Knudsen
26.2
Mandatory Kit
• A Canary. No Canary, no run. (A fine is payable towards our charity if you wish to race without one).
For more information on canaries see below.
• Collapsible cup
ADVISORY KIT (NOT MANDATORY)
• Mobile/smart phone - fully charged
• Silver foil/survival blanket or survival bag
• Waterproof jacket (Taped seams preferable)
It was the idea of our Co_Founder, Mark Thornberry. It’s a bit of fun that makes our races a little different. Your canary can be as simple as a printed picture of Tweety-Pie pinned to your race pack, or a giant inflatable. They all count. If you choose not to and incur a fine - it all goes to the Kings College Hospital Liver Cancer Charity in Mark’s memory.
Why Carry a Canary?
Registration & Kit Check
Deferrals & Refunds
Registration for the runners will be available Powell Corderoy School from 7am until 8.30am on the 22nd March. Race Briefing will be at 8.40am after which, we will walk you to the start of the race. Please bring all mandatory kit when registering.
Please note, ALL MANDATORY KIT is to carried at all times through the race. Failure to do so will result in a DQ. Random kit checks will take place during the race.
Refunds of 50% of the race fee available up to 22nd February 2025, No refund will be available after that date.
All race entries are non transferable and no deferrals are offered unless covered by our female athletes policy here
https://canarytrailevents.com/championing-womens-running/
To register for this you must confirm that you agree to the Race Waiver.
Cut-Offs
Runners must complete the course within 8 hours (17.00 hours) to qualify as an official finisher
Race Rules
RULE VIOLATION PROCEDURE
Any protests to a ruling or of a runner to runner violation must be submitted by a registered entrant and must be lodged using the following procedure:
1. Report the alleged violation to the runner, his/her crew or pacer as the incident occurs. Enlist a fellow witness to the alleged violation if possible.
2. Report the alleged violation with the runner’s name and number to the next available aid station staff.
3. Report the alleged violation in writing at the finish line to the race director. All protests must be submitted within seven days following the race. Written protests must include the name of the person who lodged the complaint.
4. Decision on all violations and rules is at the final discretion of the Race Management ONLY. There will be no challenges after that decision.
Our race routes are used by, but not limited to, horse riders, walkers and mountain bikers. Please be aware of other people whilst you are running and be as polite and courteous as possible to them, making way when necessary, particularly to horses. We do not have priority over any other users out on the course, most will be unaware of the event taking place. All gates must be properly closed after you have gone through.
DQ and ban at race directors discretion
Not informing organisers of withdrawal from event
Any runner who is unable to finish the race must personally inform the aid station captain of the nearest checkpoint of their decision to withdraw. They must hand in their race number at that time to the CP Captain. This serves as official notice of a runner’s withdrawal from the race. Runners who leave the course without turning in their number or informing a Checkpoint or HQ will be classified as “lost,” which may initiate Search and Rescue, for which the runner will be charged.
DQ.
Runners deemed to be using a pacer or support runner.
No pacers or support runners are allowed on this race.
Minimum of 1 hour penalty per missing item
Missing Item of Mandatory Kit
Mandatory kit must be carried by the runner at all times.
DQ.
Refusal to have mandatory equipment checked
There will be mandatory kit checks at the start, random checks during the race and at the finish. Failure to comply with the kit checks will result in disqualification.
DQ.
Accompanied by dog/dogs
Runners are not to be accompanied by dogs at any time whilst on course.
DQ.
Being crewed on a no-crew race.
Runners must not be crewed in any way. Crewing is deemed as any physical assistance of any kind.
DQ.
Refusal to comply with an order from the race directors, race staff, doctors or rescue personnel.
Runners must at all times comply with any instruction given by race management, staff and volunteers.
DQ and Lifetime Ban.
Littering by competitor or crew
Littering of any kind will result in immediate disqualification. Runners caught littering will be banned from all future events. Please respect the beauty of our trails and leave nothing behind but footprints.
DQ and Lifetime Ban.
Injection of PEDs or Fluids/ IVs by non-official race medical personnel.
Injection of PEDs or Fluids/ IVs by non-official race medical personnel.
DQ.
Continuing/ leaving aid station after cut off.
Cut-off times will be strictly enforced. There are cut offs at EVERY aid station. Runners leaving any aid station after the cut off will not be listed as official finishers and will not be eligible for awards.
At the RD's Discretion.
Check In at All Aid Stations.
Each runner must attend or pass through all aid stations. You will be disqualified if your time is not registered at every aid station.
DQ and Lifetime Ban.
Receiving powered assistance from a vehicle, bike, horse, or short rope from pacer.
Runners must complete the entire course under their own power.
At the RD's Discretion.
Knowingly taking a short cut.
Runners must follow the marked trail/ course at all times.
One Hour Penalty.
Bib number not visible on front.
Bib numbers must be worn on the front of the body and be easily visible at all times.
Lifetime Ban at RD discretion.
Unofficial Runners/ Running without a registration or Running under another name.
No unofficial runners.
All rules are at the final discretion of the race director and race management team.
No challenges will be permitted.
Mandatory kit: Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times. A time penalty of one hour will be imposed for any item found to be missing at any point on course.
-
Canary
-
Our races are cupless so you must bring a cup with you to take a drink from the aid stations/checkpoints. Soft/collapsible cups are permitted
Advisory Kit
-
Mobile/smart phone - fully charged
-
Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
-
Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar & must have taped seams
Penalty
Runner Action
Rules