Shires and Spires
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Shires and Spires : event overview
Shires and Spires is a multi-distance, multi-terrain running event organised by Go Beyond Events with start and finish at Naseby Village Hall, Haselbech Road, Northampton. The route passes through Northamptonshire countryside and includes landmarks such as Holdenby House, Althorp House and Cottesbrooke House.
The event alternates direction each year: in even years the course runs clockwise, and in odd years it runs anti-clockwise. Surfaces include road and trail sections, with varying elevation on several distances.
Distances
- Ultra Marathon: 35 miles
- Marathon: 26.6 miles
- Three-Quarter Marathon: 19.1 miles
- Half Marathon: 13.4 miles
- 10K: 10 kilometres
Navigation and support vary by distance. The ultra requires navigation and provides a GPS tracker and an app with voice cues; mandatory kit includes a fully charged mobile phone, at least 1 litre of water and trail shoes plus weather-appropriate clothing. The marathon and three-quarter marathon are waymarked with GPS tracking available for some sections. The half marathon and 10K are well marked and marshalled.
Aid stations and cut-off times differ by race: the ultra has five checkpoints and a 10 hour cut-off, the marathon four checkpoints and a 9 hour cut-off with progressive limits, the three-quarter marathon three stations and a 5 hour cut-off, the half two checkpoints and a 4 hour cut-off, and the 10K has one water station and no cut-off.
A charity entry option is available with a £10 admin fee and specified fundraising commitments by distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
