The Rosebud Marathon

Rosebud Marathon : event overview

The Rosebud Marathon is the 26.2 mile section of the Rose of the Shires Ultra Marathon through Northamptonshire. The route is approximately 60% trail and 40% road, with a mileage breakdown of 14 miles of cross country trails, 10.4 miles of roads and 1.8 miles of canal tow path. Total elevation is listed as +1,241 ft (+378 m) and -1,308 ft (-399 m). The race finishes at Brixworth Country Park and starts on Ashton Road, Hartwell.

Course, support and logistics

The route follows footpaths, country trails, roads and canal towpath and is waymarked but requires some navigation; it is covered by OS Maps 207 and 224. There are two aid stations at about 9.5 miles and 17.7 miles, each offering water and snacks and staffed by local running clubs. The event provides a Geo Tracks GPS tracker for real-time tracking; the units upload positions every 10 seconds, are accurate to about 5 metres and have batteries that last about 70 hours. The organiser offers transport to the start for a fee or competitors may make their own way; registration and the finish are at Brixworth Country Park, which has parking. Entry fee information is published and includes a tracker. The race is restricted to competitors aged over 18 and has an overall cut-off of 8 hours. Mandatory kit items are required and include a fully charged mobile phone, power bank, minimum 1 litre water capacity, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, whistle, hat and gloves, and a long-sleeved base layer or fleece. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.