Battle of the Brampton Valley Way

Battle of the Brampton Valley Way

The event on Sunday 11th April 2027 stages a Leicestershire versus Northamptonshire contest along the traffic-free Brampton Valley Way. Runners choose which end to start from and represent either Market Harborough/Leicestershire or Northampton/shire; 100 places are available from each end. Timing mats at both ends provide a halfway split and a mathematical model is used to compare performances across both fields to determine the county result.

Distances:

• 14 miles (22.5 km) one way
• 28 miles (45 km) out-and-back total

The surface is a hard packed track with occasional puddles and a small ford, making it suitable for road or trail shoes. Elevation gain is about 280 m. Competitors will pass through two very dark tunnels of 294 m and 422 m, so a head torch or small handheld torch is required. Runners must keep left; canicross is not permitted.

On-course support includes professional first aid at the start and finish with access to the course, volunteers at road crossings including the busier A508 crossing, and four feed stations spaced about every 4.5 miles. Toilets are available at both ends and at the turnaround. The race is cupless so participants must carry their own cup or hydration system.

Entries are priced at £35 with a minimum age of 18 on race day. Race bibs are not posted and must be collected on race day from Harborough Leisure Centre or from the desk beside the startline. The race has a 7 hour cut-off. Race t-shirts may be pre-ordered up to three weeks before the event. Free digital race photos will be available after the event. The event supports Jubilee Foodbank Market Harborough and Weston Favell Centre Foodbank Northampton. Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers and all finishers receive a medal. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.