The Hampshire Hoppit marathon and half marathon are both trail races, i.e. predominantly off-road. They use routes that will be clearly marked and marshalled, and including local sections of famous long distance footpaths, the Wayfarers Walk and (for the marathon) the Harrow Way. Both are scenic single-lap courses that will start and end at Kingsclere on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, reaching some of the highest points in Hampshire with views across the county. There are occasional quiet road sections or road crossings that will be marshalled.
The races will be held under UK Athletics rules. The permit from the Trail Running Association (TRA) for the Marathon is TRA 1243 and TRA 1244 for the Half.
Every finisher will receive a unique engraved beer glass and a thirst-quenching fill of ‘Hoppit’, a Classic Ale (3.9%AV) from the Loddon Brewery, available from the post-race bar at the Race HQ. The half marathon will receive a half pint engraved glass, and the full marathon will receive a full pint engraved glass. We have not left out the teetotallers as all finishers will also get a special engraved medal to commemorate their fine achievement.
There will be prizes for the first finishers, including age category awards.
There will be a maximum race cut-off time for the full marathon of 7-hours. Competitors that appear likely to exceed this time limit at (approximately) the 14-mile point will be requested to be withdrawn from the race. There is no race cut-off time for the half marathon.
Entry fees will be announced in due course.
Competitors must be 18 years old or over on race day.
Race parking will be in a large field signposted from the B3051, south of the village of Kingsclere.