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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, beer.
3) A well stocked base camp with plenty of nibbles and refreshments for post race replenishment. Again there is nothing healthy here, no isotonic drinks or fruit. But biscuits, crisps, nuts, cakes, rocky road, M&Ms and those sorts of things!

Where do I park?
There is a large car park a few yards from the start/finish. Parking is pay and display and is currently £2 per day. The car park and toilets opens at 0700. Samphire Hoe, A20 Folkestone to Dover road, CT17 9FL (Map)

When do I get my race number?
You'll pick this up on race day morning from the race base camp.

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 5.45 after race start (even if you finish that final lap after the six hours it'll count, you just have to have left for the final lap 5:45 after the start, and these time limits are hard, 5:45:01 and that's too late as is the custom with ultra endurance events (which this technically is, though there is absolutely no requirement to run an ultra!)).

Any runner completing 7 laps will have completed an official marathon (by 100 Marathon Club standards) of about 26.9 miles, 8 laps or more will have 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.

How are laps counted?
At the end of each lap, pick up a coloured hair band from whoever is handing them out, these are going to keep track of how many loops you've done. Slip them over your wrist to keep count. When you finish, ring the bell, give the bands back to the Timekeeper and they'll add them up and write down the distance/time for the results. So basically at the end of each lap, either collect a hair band, or ring the bell! Ringing the bell signifies you are "ringing out" and have stopped running for the day.

Do I have to run for the whole time?
No! You can stop at any time you wish, just as long as you complete one lap you are an official finisher, ring the finishers bell and you're done, medal and goody bag will be yours!

Can I stop at marathon distance?
Yes. If you complete 7 laps it will count as a marathon finish by 100 Marathon Club standards and we'll even give you a little badge to pin to your medal ribbon to signify the distance you ran! (There is an ultra badge too if you complete 8 or more laps)

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. 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?
Road shoes should be fine. Its 99% on perfect surfaces, you might have a couple of pebbles to step around, but otherwise all on sealed tarmac/concrete/gravel and a couple of wooden bridges.

Is the course closed to the public?
No. We are on a public nature reserve. Runners do not have the right of way and need to be considerate of other users of the land, there may be fisherman on the sea wall part and dog walkers, ramblers or cyclists on any part of the course. Please don't litter. We'll have a bin at the base camp, please use this and there are several bins on the route too.

What on course facilities do you provide?
Water, squash, nibbles, starter, timekeeper and encouragement every lap! Base station will be well stocked for all runners. This is a typical example of the picnics, sorry aid station, we have...

Can I leave personal drinks at the drinks station?
Yes, you may want to label it and we will not be responsible for folks drinking the wrong drinks!

Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?
Yes there are toilets (open from 7:00) by the car park near the start/finish. There is also some information about the reserve and a small cafe (but it may not be open!)

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 traffic, people, children on bikes, wildlife and so on.

Public Transport?
The nearest train station is Dover Priory and that's 2.7 miles away.

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