New Forest Xmas Trails

New Forest Xmas Trails

New Forest Xmas Trails is a trail running festival held in the New Forest National Park with a single lap, off-road format that begins at Holmesly Campsite in Bransgore and goes onto heathland and woodland terrain. Courses are fully marked and described as runnable while still presenting trail running conditions.

Distances offered:

• 15 km
• 30 km
• Marathon
• 50 km Ultramarathon

Parking is available on hard standing at Holmesly Campsite, the event start and finish location. Runners collect race bibs from the registration tent at the start area. Canicross entries are not accepted.

Mandatory kit requirements for longer distances include at least 500 ml of fluid for 30 km, marathon and 50 km entrants; a waterproof jacket; hat; gloves; buff; a foil blanket or orange survival bag; and a mobile phone. Organisers advise downloading the GPX route file to a wearable or mobile device because course arrows can be tampered with.

Bag drop tents are provided in the start/finish area for each distance. Cut off times are set for each distance: 15 km three hours, 30 km five hours, marathon eight hours and 50 km eight hours. The event works with Trees Not Tees so runners may choose a tree instead of a finishers medal. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.