Running through a landscape immortalised by the famous writer Thomas Hardy, the inaugural Hardy Half takes you on tour of this fantastic area of Dorset countryside. The majority of the course is trail with some challenging terrain and around 1400 feet of elevation to climb. The road sections will be on closed roads. During the run you will pass through the picturesque village of Martinstown, circle a monument dedicated to another famous Hardy, Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, a man made famous for being at the side of Nelson at the point of his untimely death on HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalger. The route heads down into Hells Bottom, appropriately named as you then turn to climb back towards Dorchester. Finally you will climb the western side of Britain's largest Iron Age fort, Maiden Castle, before finishing back at the rugby club for a well earned refreshment or two.
Course Details
Closed roads.
ROUTE LENGTH - 13.220 miles
TOTAL ASCENT - 1332 feet (101 per mile)
TOTAL DESCENT - 1319 feet (100 per mile)
% UPHILL, DOWNHILL AND FLAT - 41.95%, 45.34%, 12.71%
TERRAIN - Mixed
Aid stations:
This event is cupless, runners should carry their own water, aid stations will have water and nutrition.
Main Details:
Start location - Dorchester Rugby Club
Registration opens - 0800
Race brief - 0945
Start time - 1000
Cut off:
To minimise disruption locally the last road closure will reopen 4hrs after start or when the final runner has passed, whichever comes sooner. However, we will still have people at the finish regardless, but you will need to navigate road crossings independently after this time.
Entry Cost:
England Athletic Affiliated £25
Non-England Athletic Affiliated £27
Number Collection:
You will be able to collect numbers from the registration area on the day.
Deferrals and Swaps:
Please email hardyhalf@gmail.com for information on how to defer or swap your place.