Licence no for 2024 race : S/DOR/0266
To all Hardy Half Runners,
Thank you for signing up to the second Hardy Half marathon trail race, we hope your training is going well.
The 2024 event is shaping up to be bigger than last year and thanks to your entries we are raising valuable funds for Dorset Search and Rescue (DORSAR) along with other local good causes. Don't forget that entries remain open all the way up to the race (subject to space) if your friends or club mates are yet to sign up!
We are also incredibly grateful to this years sponsors; Parkers Property, RMA Precision Engineering, Dorset Brewing Company, National Farmers Union and the National Grid. With their support we are able to divert more of the race funds to good causes.
With just two weeks to go until the event we are sending out these race instructions. There is a lot of information below but please do take the time to read through it. We are trying to minimise emails but keep an eye out on our social media feeds for more updates, however any significant changes will be communicated by email.
The Race
Here are the timings for the day:
08:00 - Registration Open
09:30 - Registration Closed
09:45 - Race Brief and Warm Up
10:00 - Race Start
12:30 - Presentations
13:30 - 11 mile Road Closure Cut Off
The event registration and finish is at Dorchester Rugby Football Club (DT1 2HX). Registration opens at 8am and is based in the marquee marked on the map below. Please collect your number and fill out the back with your details. If possible, bring your own safety pins or race clips, though we will have a small number available on the day.
The warm up and race briefing will be held at 9:45am, approximately five minutes walk away on The Centenary Field, you will be directed there by marshals.
The cut off time for 11 miles is 3.5 hours. The roads will be opened beyond that time and you will need to navigate them independently. The finish will remain open until the last runner and we will have tail runners.
If, for any reason, you wish to withdraw on the day then please let the tail runner or a marshal know your name and race number so we know not to expect you at the finish. First aid is available at the start and finish area and we have a roaming vehicle, please notify a marshal if this is required. Defibrillators are situated at the Rugby Club and at aid stations one and two.
We are lucky to be partnered with Timing Monkey who will be providing our race timing. This means there will be live race results on the day here: https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/signup/HardyHalf24/index.html.
We will present prizes to 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female at 12:30 after the race.
Parking
The event is hosted by Dorchester Rugby Football Club and we have limited parking a short walk away (see map above). Please note, vehicles are left at the owners own risk.
Parking Postcode: DT1 2EP
Parking What3Words: ///tilts.slumped.mimic
Parking instructions: Please drive to the end of Queen’s Avenue where a marshal will direct you to the car park. Once parked, take the path to Coburg Road. Walk past 1610 sports centre, turn left and you will see the rugby club gates and the event village.
Please do try to park in our designated area so we reduce the impact on local residents. As there is limited parking, we suggest car sharing or public transport.
The Route
The route will be fully signed and marshalled but if you wish to download it in advance then you can do so here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1812751.
The Hardy Half is a trail event and the route takes you across farmland, so don't be surprised if you come across cows, sheep and crop fields. Please be mindful not to stray off the marked route and if you go through a gate that should be shut then please do close it after you, if you're not sure then close it and notify the nearest marshal as they will be briefed. We are grateful to the local farmers for their support and would like it to continue.
Though we have road closures there may still be local traffic, especially around Martinstown. Please keep left, listen out for traffic and follow marshal instructions.
We will have three aid stations where a small selection of food and water is available and bin bags provided for rubbish. Please make sure no litter is left on the route, if you see any litter please do pick it up, used gel wrappers in particular can be fatal to livestock.
As this is a trail event you can expect the terrain to be uneven under foot and trail shoes are recommended. In the run up to the race please do keep an eye on the weather and dress appropriately. There is not much shade on the route if it is a sunny day but there are amazing views!
Sustainability
It is important to us to consider how we minimise the impact of the event and Dorchester RIOT is aligned with the Green Runners.
The event will be cupless so please bring your own hydration pack, flask or cup for water. If you do not have a reusable cup then White Star Running will have some available to purchase on the day.
We also ask you to consider how you travel to the event, perhaps by lift sharing with others coming from the same direction. Alternatively, there are two train stations around a mile away from Dorchester Rugby Club, that would make a good warm up and we will have a bag drop available. You would also be able to leave a bike with us at your own risk.
We have also tried to consider sustainability in our race medals, trophies and prizes and have not purchased additional T-shirts for the 2024 events.
Event Village
Those who attended last year might remember the event village and supportive finish atmosphere, the 2024 event will be no different.
The event village will be bigger and better with a choice of food and drink (including crepes, pizza, coffee, a bar, sweets and cakes), music, a fun fair and stalls. Feel free to bring friends and family and stay after your race to soak up the atmosphere, cheer on the runners and support the stalls. Most stalls will be able to accept card and cash.
Our sponsors, Dorset Brewing Company, will also be providing you with a free half pint of our own ‘Hardy Half’ beer (3.9%) at the finish. There of course will be more to purchase along with other refreshments, if you wish, at the bar in the rugby club.
If your legs are in need of a refresh then local company ForFit will also be on site providing pre or post race massage. We ask for a minimum donation of £5 for at least 5 minutes and this donation will go to support DORSAR.
Other Information
We will have Dorsetbays at the event village, finishing line and on the course taking photos, so please do keep an eye out for them - usually found lurking on a hill. They share their photos for free on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DorsetbaysPhotography) and Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dorsetbays) but ask to be credited if a photo is used commercially.
The last date for deferrals and transfers has passed (two weeks before the event).
Spectators
If you have people with you who wish to spectate en route then here are some suggested spectator points.
Location 1: Clandon Farm
Spectators will need to park no later than 0930 in Maiden Castle carpark (///pointer.constrain.craft), the access road to the carpark will close ten minutes before the runners set off. Spectators can walk up to the farm (///ballots.clerics.daydream) where we will have live music from Dorset Phil.
Location 2: Martinstown
Parking is available at the Brewers Arms pub (please enter via Winterbourne Steepleton due to road closures). From the pub it is a short walk to the village green (///processes.guesswork.filed) where we will have music by the Dorset Wrecks and the village shop selling hot drinks and breakfast items for those spectating.
Location 3: Hardy Monument
To gain access to the car park at Hardy’s you’ll need to route via Coombe Valley Road and enter from the western side (///increases.sprinting.slumped). There is plenty of parking here and we expect the first runners to pass here at around 1040am.
If you have any questions please do get in touch with us on hardyhalf@gmail.com.
For now, we are so excited to see you on the 12th May!
Thanks,
Team Hardy Half