Ox Races
Next Race: 17/05/2024 + 2 others
Tollard Royal, Salisbury, Dorset, SP5 5QB
We return once again to Rushmore Estate in Wiltshire and its amazing countryside scenery to host the popular Ox Races weekend. This year we're back to earlier in May, avoiding the May Bank Holiday and half term, and running from the Friday to Sunday.
The Ox Races is a series of trail races held over a weekend that consists of daytime and nighttime 10.5Ks, a half-marathon, a 50-mile race and a ‘do-as-many-laps-as-you-fancy’ 12-hour Frolic event for teams and solo runners.
This event is far from flat, but it’s set in stunning forest and woodland, which provides the canvas for bluebells and wild garlic. This weekend has something that will appeal to all, from speedsters who want to test themselves at the front to a more relaxed, fun, everyone-welcome friendly party at the back.
The Ox Race weekend also offers you the special chance to get your hands on an Epic medal. Complete the 50-mile race and one other distance of your choice to earn your extra bling, or set yourself the monster of all challenges and complete all five races. See our 2023 Epic finishers here.
When you enter our races you will be able to opt out of receiving your finisher's goodies, which we usually hand out at the end of the race. Instead, the cost of your goody bag will be donated to the Wilder Dorset Appeal, and you can read more about that project here. If you don’t opt out, you will still get your goody bag, and you can optionally choose to make a personal contribution if you wish here. Every runner still gets a medal.
To keep up to date on all the information on the event, make sure you've followed the Facebook Event.
Ox Races no-group
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17/05/2024, 21:00
Dark Ox 2024
£26.00 - £28.00
Affiliated/ UnaffiliatedMore DetailsDescription
The Dark Ox is a quarter-marathon event (10.5K ish) that complements the other Ox races over the weekend, and gives you a chance to try your luck on the route in the dark! The course is on rough woodland trail and will be steep in some places, both up and down. The course around Cranbourne Chase woods will be marked and signposted. Once you've finished a bit of running and messing about in the dark, you’ll be rewarded with a medal and your goodies.
The race starts at 9pm, therefore all competitors must wear a head or chest torch to participate.
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18/05/2024, 17:00
Ox Calf 2024
£10.00
Kid's EntryMore DetailsDescription
Following its fantastic first running last year, the Ox Calf is making a welcome return – a 4km kids' race to complement the Ox Races over the weekend. This is their chance to have a run around Chase Woods to take in the bluebells and wild garlic.
Suggested age for kids' races is over 4 years, but any age can take part up to 16 years old. We ask an adult to run with children under 4 years old and if they wish for older children, but it's not a requirement as the course will be marshalled by the team. For general race questions, see our FAQs.
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18/05/2024, 07:30
Ox 50 Mile 2024
£50.00 - £52.00
Affiliated/ UnaffiliatedMore DetailsDescription
The Ox 50-mile race is a lapped race with a generous cut-off to help you hit that 50-mile milestone. The route is made up of a variety of off-road tracks through Cranborne Chase woods; see this review to get a feel for what it's like to complete. The route is made up of 9 laps, the first lap is 4 miles and then 8 laps of 5.75 mile loops to complete your 50 miles. You will be able to leave fuel/bags etc in the gazebos near to the start/finish line so you have everything you need close at hand.
Need more? Why not try the Epic Challenge at the Ox Races? Complete the 50-mile race plus any other race over the same weekend to earn an extra Epic medal!
There is a cut-off for this 50-mile event. You must start your final lap within 12 hours. As it's a tough challenge, we don't want anyone dropping out and walking away empty handed. If you're not out on your last lap by 19.59:59pm, you will be given an Ox Frolic time, distance and goody bag, with the relevant medal, although you will not be eligible for a 12-hour prize.
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18/05/2024, 07:45
Dog Solo Ox Frolic 2024
£42.00 - £44.00
Affiliated/ UnaffiliatedMore DetailsDescription
The Ox Frolic race is a lapped 12-hour race consisting of a looped course, made up of a variety of off-road tracks through Cranborne Chase woods. You will pass lovely smelling garlic in the woods and experience some fantastic views. The race has a fun atmosphere with lots of support at the changeover point, where you can also grab something to eat, have a rest and cheer on others once you've finished! If you're not sure what to expect, check out this review.
Canicross runners can also take part in this race. This race allows you to run with your canine companion and experience the route together, as part of our dog-friendly races. Each runner can have up to two dogs, and you will start approximately 15 minutes ahead of the main race. All dog runners are solo Frolic runners.
If you’re new to Canicross running, and even if you're not, please read our guide to running with your dog at our races.What is a Frolic?
Over a 12-hour period, you do as much running as you want. Complete at least one lap to get your medal and goody bag. Frolics are relaxed events with a fun atmosphere. As a solo runner, you can do as many laps as you want in the time limit. For more details see our dedicated Frolic page here.
Minimum age requirement for entry is 20 years old for solo runners.
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18/05/2024, 08:00 - 19:59
Solo Ox Frolic 2024
£40.00 - £42.00
Solo Affiliated/ UnaffiliatedMore DetailsDescription
The Ox Frolic race is a lapped 12-hour race consisting of a looped route, made up of a variety of off-road tracks through Cranborne Chase woods. You will pass lovely smelling garlic in the woods and experience some fantastic views. The race has a fun atmosphere with lots of support at the changeover point, where you can also grab something to eat, have a rest and cheer on others once you've finished! If you're not sure what to expect, check out this review.
What is a Frolic?
Over a 12-hour period, you do as much running as you want. Complete at least one lap to get your medal and goody bag. Frolics are relaxed events with a fun atmosphere. As a solo runner, you can do as many laps as you want in the time limit. For more details see our dedicated Frolic page here.
Minimum age requirement for entry is 20 years old for solo runners.
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18/05/2024, 08:15 - 22:12
Ox Frolic Teams 2024
£36.00 - £38.00
Team Frolic EntryMore DetailsDescription
The Ox Frolic Teams race is a looped relay race that takes on the trails around Chase woods. There are various terrains to navigate, including some tracks, fields and woodland areas, so it's a nice mix underfoot and is slightly technical in places.
When the first person enters and chooses a team name, we recommend you tick to 'Password Protect' your team and circulate it to your team mates so no one else can accidently join your team.
What is a Frolic?
Over a 12-hour period, you do as much running as you want. Complete at least one lap to get your medal and goody bag. Frolics are relaxed events with a fun atmosphere. You can run in teams of 4, 3 or 2. If you're in a team, only one of you runs at a time, then you swap over as and when you feel like it. To find out more visit our Frolic webpage.
Minimum age requirement for entry is 18 years old for team runners. For general race questions, see our FAQs.
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19/05/2024, 08:15
Dog Start Light Ox 2024
£28.00 - £30.00
Affiliated/ UnaffiliatedMore DetailsDescription
The Light Ox is a quarter-marathon event (10.5K ish) – many of our runners combine this with other race distances over the weekend! The course is on rough woodland trail and will be steep in some places, both up and down. The course around Cranbourne Chase woods will be marked and signposted.
This entry is for the Dog Start of the Light Ox race for canicross runners. This allows you to run with your canine companion and experience the route together, as part of our dog-friendly races. Each runner can have up to two dogs, and you will start approximately 15 minutes ahead of the main race.
If you’re new to Canicross running, and even if you're not, please read our guide to running with your dog at our races.
Minimum age requirement for entry is 16 years old. The race starts at 8:15am and the cut-off time for the Light Ox event is 2 hours. -
19/05/2024, 08:30
Light Ox 2024
£26.00 - £28.00
Affiliated/ UnaffiliatedMore DetailsDescription
The Light Ox is a quarter-marathon event (10.5K ish) – many of our runners combine this with other race distances over the weekend! The course is on rough woodland trail and will be steep in some places, both up and down. The course around Cranbourne Chase woods will be marked and signposted. If you're not sure what to expect then check out this review from last year.
Minimum age requirement for entry is 16 years old. The cut-off time for the Light Ox event is 2 hours.
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19/05/2024, 10:30
Ox Half Marathon 2024
£32.00 - £34.00
Affiliated/ UnaffiliatedMore DetailsDescription
The Ox half-marathon route takes in the Wiltshire Chalk Downs and Cranborne Chase woods, with spectacular views across the countryside. This is a tough race, with some steep climbs, sharp descents and the most amazing views to reward yourself with. All the paths we use are well maintained and the majority of the route is on trails owned by the Rushmore Estate and rights of way open to the public. There is a small section of road to link the valleys and the woods.
The race starts at 10.30am, so if you fancy a challenge you can complete the Light Ox first!
The cut-off time for the half-marathon race is 4 hours and our minimum age requirement for entry is 17 years old. For general race questions, see our FAQs.
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17/05/2024, 13:00 - 19/05/2024, 17:00
Camping Pitch 2024
£30.00
Camping PitchMore DetailsDescription
For all our events the campsites are huge and right in the centre of the race, a short walk from the start/finish and registration areas. We operate them on a very relaxed level, and ask that people behave responsibly and with others in mind when on and around the site.
Camping at the Ox Races £30 for a weekend pitch, Friday to Sunday, regardless of the number of people in the tent, caravan, camper, motorhome, etc. The price is fixed if you choose to stay for just one night or both nights, but it's still a great deal for a night in the heart of the Dorset Countryside.
This field, or as we like to call it ‘The Athletes’ Village’, usually has had all the cows, sheep and horses removed (there may be poo, it is the countryside, get over it) and you are able to drive your car onto the field. If you have a massive camper van or Winnebago it should fit in the gate. If it doesn't, come and find us we will work out a way of squeezing you in.
Portalavs will be onsite; there will not be any toilet paper provided. There will be drinking water supply. We will have showers and they are free to use.
If you bring your dog to camp, please, please, pick up any poos they will leave and dispose of them sensibly. The fields will be returned to the owners for their normal use, so we don't want any cows and their young picking up nasty infections from the dog poo. Please look after your dogs. That means control them; do not let them near any farm animals at any time. We don't want you to get in trouble and your dog or livestock hurt or distressed.
Our camping marshals will come aorund and check off your registration plate on our list so we know you've paid for your pitch. If you forget to purchase your camping pitch in advance, there will be an additional £5 admin charge for purchasing a pitch on the weekend of an event.
Location
Directions
By car: Use the postcode SP5 5QB in sat navs to navigate to Rushmore Park, which will lead you to our event field. When you get close you will be able to follow the brown Rushmore Golf Club and event signage.
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