An environmentally friendly run at Betteshanger!
The average person in the UK has a carbon footprint of 9.86 tons per year. In these increasingly environmentally conscious times we're looking to do our bit to help and whilst none of us can do everything, we can all and should do something!
So the Carbon Challenge at the lovely Betteshanger Country Park (Formerly known as Fowlmead Country Park) is the answer for those who share a love of running and want to do something for the environment!
We've found a scheme which has already purchased land in the UK, and are are planting a native forest of oak, birch, rowan and alder. They have got a certified planting scheme and they always plant the right tree in the right place. Once the tree is planted they will send a certificate via email to the participant with a picture of their young tree(s), details of the species of tree they have planted and a geo-location address on what3words. (So you could go visit it if you were ever passing!)
We're also going to have wooden "eco-medals" sourced from British trees and basically each and every entry will pay for two of these trees to be planted and so offsetting over 40% of the average UK person's carbon footprint. If you forgo your goody bag at this event, we'll up your donation to three trees. 60% of the average person's annual carbon footprint.
We've also got options for you to pay extra for your entry in order to purchase the planting of more trees, either an extra £5 or £15. The latter of which would basically offset your carbon footprint for the year.
The event will be a six hour timed challenge event. Complete as many loops as you wish within the time limit. Run a half marathon, run a full marathon, run an ultra, run less, as long as you complete one loop you're a finisher!
It's our aim that this event makes an impactful difference to Betteshanger Country Park in a positive fashion and as such £5 from each entry fee will be donated directly to the nature reserve to aid them in maintaining this lovely environment. This event is a little bit more expensive than most of the ones we do, firstly because of the donation to the Reserve, secondly because the medals cost a fortune and thirdly because we're going to have a ton of chocolate to eat and be given away in the goody bags!
Please explore the race and consider joining us!
Course Information
The course is all on the leisure paths at Betthanger that runs around the outside of the tarmac cycle track but at no point crosses it so there are no traffic concerns to worry about. The surface is a high quality gravel surface in the main with the odd patch of potentially muddy bits if they're wet but overall it's an excellent running surface and should produce some fast times.
The route is viewable on MayMyRun here.
There are slopes rather than hills, so its not totally flat, each loop has maybe 60 feet of elevation rise, but there are some lovely woods to run by, ponds, grasslands, wet lands and some wild life to spot too! If its wet there might be a chance of some mud but the trails are high quality and drain well.
The route is suitable for either road or trail shoes.
Course Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I get?
You will receive
1) A really special finishers medal, custom made and designed, not a generic one.
2) A goody bag at the finish, which has goodies in, not a bunch of adverts. There will be nothing healthy in our goody bags, things they contain for example, chocolate, crisps..
3) A well stocked base camp with plenty of nibbles and refreshments for during and post race replenishment, including the legendary Rachel's Rocky Road!
Where is the event?
Betteshanger Country Park , A258, Deal, Kent CT14 0BF (Map). Please click here for our Betteshanger information. (Please note that the venue is also known as Fowlmead Country Park)
When do I get my race number?
You'll pick this up on race day morning from the race base camp on race morning.
Are there time limits?
Yes, six hours to run as many laps as you can. You can finish at any time within the 6 hours and your final distance will be recorded along with your finishing time. Only complete laps within the 6 hours will be recorded or you must have left the aid station for your last lap by 5.59:59 after the event start. Any runner completing 26.2 miles or more will have completed marathon distance and will count as a marathon finish for the purposes of the 100 Marathon Club, if you complete over 27 miles then you've completed an ultra. As long as you finish one lap then you'll receive an official finish time, medal and goody bag. With timed events there are no DNFs as long as you complete one lap..
Do you have secure baggage facilities
No. But you're free to leave bags at the start/finish. There will always be someone around but we can't guarantee their security, in the event of rain we can't guarantee things won't get wet. You'll be able to park close to the start/finish don't forget.
Can I leave my own drinks/food at the aid station?
Yes no problem at all, we have a dedicated table for runners own supplies if they have anything special that they'd like to bring along..
Trail shoes? Road Shoes?
Either should be fine. The running surface is very good, if it's wet then maybe err towards trail, if its dry err towards road. The site drains very well being built on shale from the old mine.
Is the course closed to the public?
No. We are using the Betteshanger Country Park which is part of a network of local footpaths, cycle paths and trails and is shared with ramblers, dogwalkers, horseriders and cyclists. However the cyclists do have their own dedicated trails so shouldn't be too much of an issue. Runners do not have the right of way and need to be considerate of other users of the land. Please don't litter, we'll have a bin at the base camp and another on the far side of the course so please deposit any rubbish in these..
What on course facilities do you provide?
Water, squash, nibbles, goodies, starter, timekeeper and encouragement every lap! Base station will be well stocked for all runners.
Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?
There are toilets, a cafe and a kids playground.
Can I use an ipod or mp3 player on the course?
Yes. Though please be aware that you are running on public footpaths with the general public so make sure that you pay attention to cyclists, people, dogs, horseriders, wildlife and so on.
The entry fee is a little more than normal – why is that?
We are holding this event by kind permission of the Betteshanger Country Park. £5 of every entry fee will be donated to the Park to assist in the maintenance and development of Betteshanger Country Park.
Location Information
Please visit our Betteshanger information page for general parking, directions and local area information about public transport, hotels etc.
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