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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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There are five Challenges available: 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Full Marathon and Ultra. All start and finish at Cheltenham Racecourse. You can choose to walk or run whichever of the courses suits your ability.

The routes follow public rights of way across fields, along lanes, over stiles, through gates and across streams.  Some sections pass over fairly rough terrain.

Most of the route is cross country and off road, but there are some short on-road sections during the climb up Cleeve Hill and through Prestbury Village. On the marathon loop, there is one road crossing on the High Street (at the pedestrian crossing) and another crossing over the main Winchcombe Road near the Ellenborough Park hotel. The 5k route is entirely off-road. There will be marshals and signage to assist you, but please note that the marshals do not have the authority to stop traffic to allow you to cross roads.

There are some steep climbs up Cleeve Hill on the Half Marathon loop, but what a view from the top!  The Full Marathon is two laps of the Half Marathon route. The latter part of the Half Marathon route is also shared with the 10k route. It is fairly level with a short climb right at the end on the approach to the finish line.

Check the individual route descriptions for more information.

If you register before 8th June (with a UK address), we plan to post your participants pack to you. This will contain some information about the event, and more importantly, your race number with timing chip.  Please do not lose your race number and remember to bring it with you on the day! If you have registered several participants, please check that the correct race number is handed to the correct person. Check the label on the rear!

The number is produced on special waterproof paper and needs to be attached to your shirt with safety pins.  A timing chip will be embedded to the number and is programmed to you individually.  Please be careful not to bend or crease the timing chip. The electronic timing system will be activated and deactivated when you pass through the start / finish line.

If you register after 8th June or you have a non-UK address, please collect your race number from the registration area on the day of the event. There will also be an opportunity to collect on the Saturday before the event. Please check the website for final details after online registration closes.

There will be a secure baggage area located  in the registration building. If you wish to leave a bag, your race number has a tear-off strip which can be attached to your bag.

There will be a range of stalls in the event village with food and drink available to purchase.

Participants will be provided with free water and snacks water upon completing their event and there will be regular water / refreshment points around the route.

On the 5k route, refreshments will be provided at the finish area.

The 10k route has a water / refreshment station at approximately the half-way point at the rear of the Ellenborough Park Hotel.

The Half Marathon / Marathon loop will have plenty of  water / refreshment stations at regular points around the route.

Toilets are available within the Event Village at the Racecourse and at points around the Half Marathon loop.

On the 10k route, there will be toilets at the half-way water point.

There is plenty of free car parking at the Racecourse.  Please follow signs and marshal directions.

For Satnav/GPS users the postcode is GL50 4SH and further travel information can be found on the Cheltenham Racecourse website. 

We cannot guarantee parking at any other points along the route.

First Aid cover is provided in the event village and on the course by 4×4 medical response vehicles.

If you need medical attention, please see the nearest course marshal who will be able to call for support if required.

If there is no marshal nearby, please ask another participant to inform the next available marshal that assistance is needed.

The course is multi-terrain, over a mix of smooth and rough ground, farmland, tarmac roads, gravel paths etc.  Casual walkers are advised to wear comfortable footwear or walking boots, experienced runners may choose to wear running shoes or trail shoes – your personal preference!

Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather. In previous years, the event has seen blazing sunshine,  torrential rain, and everything in between. Check the weather forecast for the day and come prepared!

You participate at your own risk but some things to consider include:

  • Appropriate footwear and clothing
  • A change of clothes / something warm to help your muscles cool down slowly
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Thin layers
  • Mobile phone
  • Think of the weather and dehydration in warm weather
  • Water and toilets will be provided at points around the course.

All finishers will be presented with a medal and a Cheltenham Challenge T-shirt upon completing their chosen challenge. Additional winners medals will be presented to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed male and female in each event as measured from the official event start time.

Drinks, snacks and goodies will be available.

A sense of achievement comes as standard!

 

T-shirt note: Due to the lead time required for supplying and printing T-shirts, we will need to estimate the numbers required in each size for each event. Whilst we will endeavour to give the size requested, T-shirts will be handed out on a first-come basis and we cannot guarantee size availability.

All routes start and finish at Cheltenham Racecourse. A minibus will be available if you are unable to complete your event and need assistance to get back to the racecourse. Course marshals will be able to contact the transport on request.

Please note that due to the off-road nature of the event, some parts of the route do not have vehicular access. On Cleeve Common, assistance may be provided by the Cleeve Common Rangers.

First aid assistance will be provided by a 4×4 response team or the normal emergency services.

There are a number of hotels and guest houses in and around Cheltenham.  Visit www.cheltenhamaccommodation.co.uk for information and availability.

There are a large number of eating houses throughout Cheltenham that cater for different tastes and budgets.  Many are in the town centre and at the Brewery.

Cheltenham has a lot packed in to a relatively small geographical area so once you are in town, you can walk from one place to another easily.

On line registration opens on 1st October 2015 and closes at midnight on Wednesday 15th June 2016.

UK participants who register by Wednesday 8th June will have their race numbers posted to them.

Early-bird rates are available until Easter Monday, 28th March 2016. Thereafter, normal entry fees apply.

Discounted rates are available to Affiliated Club Members until online registration closes on 15th June.

The original Cheltenham Circular Challenge route followed the way-marked Cheltenham Circular Footpath on a 26 mile loop around the town and was nominally split into 4 separate stages. Participants had the option to undertake a half marathon, or a full marathon or a single stage, and there were options to start and finish at any stage on the course.

This arrangement presented safety concerns with several very busy roads having to be crossed. It also relied on having a fleet of buses ferrying people between stage start and end points and the racecourse.

In 2014, the event was renamed to the Cheltenham Challenge and the format was changed to widen appeal and present more options to participants.

There are now separate 5k, 10k, Half marathon, Full marathon and Ultra events, catering for all abilities.

There is now only one busy road to cross, and with all routes starting and finishing at the same place, there is no need for participants to wait for a bus to return to their starting point.

We hope the new format will be well received and we look forwards to receiving participant feedback.

Team names can be entered during the registration process. Team members should liaise to ensure they all enter the same name if registering separately.

New for 2016, we are registering the adult 10K event and the Half Marathon, Full Marathon and Ultra events with the Trail Running Association (registration in process).

The Trail Running Association (TRA) is an associate member of UK Athletics (UKA).

The events listed above will be run under TRA rules and entry lists and results will be submitted to TRA for inclusion in national listings.

The 5K event and junior / child 10K categories are classed as Fun Runs.