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CANARY TRAIL EVENTS

£62
ENTRY FEE
9 hours
CUT OFF
3
AID STATIONS
5780ft
ELEVATION
Yes
MEDICAL COVER
50km
DISTANCE

50km night time trail race

Saturday 28th September 2024 @ 20:00

The Two Towers

With a generous cut-off of nine hours, the Two Towers 50km race is a fully marked single loop course with three well stocked checkpoints and has been designed to not only appeal to the experienced racer who wants to race it hard, but also for the first time ultra runners who want to experience a night race with a headtorch.

The race start at Mickleham Village Hall (Race HQ). The 50km route will be fully marked on the night with signs, tape & glowsticks. GPX files are available to all entrants and can be downloaded below.

The race starts at Mickleham Village Hall and heads up onto Mickleham Downs before heading back down through Juniperhill Wood before crossing the A24 via the underpass at Burford Bridge. After that the route heads down the bottom of the Mole valley before climbing up into the woods around Norbury Park. From Norbury the route leads onto Fetcham Downs and then heading west towards Polesdon Lacey before climbing up onto Ranmore Common. There is a marshalled crossing of Ranmore Common Road where you reach Check Point 1. After the Check Point the route decends the North Downs before crossing the railway line and head towards Westcott and picking up the Greensands Way. After a short while the route diverts across a marshy area via a board walk and then heads uphill to Wolvens Lane. After a short distance you pick up a small track through a thick wood and heading up hill to pass Surrey’s highest cricket ground. The route skirts the high ground before you reach the base of Leith Hill, where you then drop down to hill before a lung busting climb that brings you out at Leith Hill Tower. This is your first tower. You then pick up the Greensands Way again descending to the road crossing, and then through the woods to the road at Holmbury St Mary. Still following the Greensands Way up into the Hurt Wood. From here you descend down Telegraph Road towards Check Point 2 at the car park by the Youth Hostel. After Check Point 2 you head north through Sutton Abinger before crossing the A24 just before Abinger Hammer and climbing up onto the Abinger Roughs. After this you cross the railway line again and climb up to pick up the North Downs Way for a short distance, before heading towards the Check Point 3 at the car park by Ranmore Common Road. Once across the road you head along the north side of Ranmore Common  before picking up the North Downs Way at Denbies and down to the A24. After crossing via the underpass you head along the river, past the bridge and over the stepping stones. Now comes the iconic climb up the Box Hill steps up the viewpoint, which even at night offers a stunning view. Heading across the Donkey Field you before picking up a wide gently descending trail towards the tower above Juniper Hall. This is your second tower. After taking a right turn you descend a set of steps into Juniper Bottom. Crossing Headley Lane you start the climb of Satan’s Staircase. Once at the top of the stairs you head across Mickleham Downs before descending to Mickleham village and back to finish line at the Village Hall via the church.

The Course

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. Cut off 10.15 pm (2 hours 15 min)

Aid Station 1

Ranmore 8.75 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. Cut off 3.00 am (7 hours)

Aid Station 3

Ranmore West 24.25 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. Cut off 12.45 am (4 hours 45 min)

Aid Station 2

Surrey 19 miles

Course Records

Year

Time

Female Record Holder

Year

Time

Male Record Holder

Distance

2023

5:47:46

Nerys Jones

2023

4:37:55

Nicholas Hales

50km

Mandatory Kit

  • Primary and secondary head torches or other light sources with sufficient spare battery packs/batteries.​

  • Mobile/smart phone with OS Locate installed. A free download from your app store  

  • Silver foil/survival blanket or survival bag

  • Waterproof jacket (Taped seams preferable)

  • Spare Long sleeved base layer

  • Hydration bladder or bottles capable of carrying at least 1lt of fluids

  • Most importantly of all, a Canary. No Canary, no run. (A fine is payable towards our charity if you wish to race without one)

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 at the village hall from 4pm to 7.30pm on the 28th September. 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 28th August 2024, No refund will be available after that date.

All race entries are non transferable & 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 reach checkpoint one in two hours fifteen minutes (10:15pm) checkpoint two in four hours 45mins (12:45am) & checkpoint three in seven hours (3am) to be allowed to continue with the race.

All racers to be finished in 9hrs (5am)
 

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.

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.

Being crewed on a no-crew race.

Runners must not be crewed in any way at races listed as no crew permitted. Crewing is deemed as any physical assistance of any kind.

DQ.

Accompanied by dog/dogs

Runners are not to be accompanied by dogs at any time whilst on course.

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.

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.

Pacers accompanying before the final lap/ not on foot/ more than one pacer

Pacers are only allowed on the final lap of the Copthorne Races or from Checkpoint 3 on the Winterfold 55. No pacers are permitted on any other of our races. No more than one pacer can accompany a runner at any time. Pacers may accompany runners on foot only. Pacers are not allowed to “mule” for their runner.

DQ.

Crew/Pacers who are found to be complicit in breaking rules and/or assisting runner in breaking rules.

Runners are responsible for the actions of their crews and pacers. If your crew or pacer are deemed to have broken any of the runner race rules the runner will be held accountable. Your crew act on YOUR behalf and based on YOUR instructions.

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 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. 

 

  • Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (on the number you have given at registration)

  • OS locate installed on your phone.

  • Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.

  • Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum.

  • Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar & must have taped seams. 

  • Whistle

  • Headtorch or Primary Light Source Minimum 75 lumens 

  • Back Up Light source - Minimum 25 Lumens 

  • Long sleeved base layer or fleece top - This must be carried separately from the start and kept dry, for use only in an emergency. Starting in 2 layers is not a substitute.

  • 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. 

  • Canary. 

Recommended but not mandatory: 

  • OS Explorer 146 Active Map - Should be a hard copy that you are able to navigate from and not a map on your phone.

  • Compass - This should be a separate physical compass and not electronic/ on your phone. 

Penalty

Runner Action

Rules

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