Rose of the Shires Ultra

Rose of the Shires Ultra and Rosebud Marathon : event summary

The event includes a full 54-mile circular ultra marathon and shorter options that follow the same route through Northamptonshire countryside. The course starts and finishes at Brixworth Country Park and runs over footpaths, country trails, roads and canal towpath.

• Distances: 54 miles (full Ultra); 26.2 miles (Rosebud Marathon); relay legs 8.7, 7.1, 7.4, 6.8, 7.7, 8.0, 8.4 miles.

The route is waymarked but requires some navigation. The terrain mix is detailed as 36.4 miles of cross-country trails, 15.6 miles of roads and 1.8 miles of canal towpath, with total elevation gain and loss of about +706 / -706 metres. There are six checkpoints spaced roughly 6-8 miles apart; each checkpoint provides water, snacks and Go Beyond fruit cake. Cut-off times apply, including a 13.5 hour limit for the full Ultra and an 8 hour limit for the Rosebud Marathon.

Real-time tracking is provided via GeoTracks GPS trackers and a voice-navigation app is available as an additional resource. The event is restricted to competitors aged 18 and over. Practical details include parking at Brixworth Country Park, bag storage at the finish or in a competitor's car, a specified maximum bag size for stored items, mandatory kit requirements, and awards for the top three male and female finishers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.