Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones

We will do everything we can to help you succeed in completing your journey with us. From the second you sign up to take on this impressive challenge, we will be on hand to help you with all of your needs, whether that’s providing training plans or helping you out on the trails, we believe our duty of care to you extends way beyond the event day itself.

PRE-EVENT:

Training programme tailored for whether you are a runner or walker and on the distance you plan to achieve
All the information you will need about the event emailed straight to you in the build-up to the race
Special offers from our event partners and suppliers
Advice on how to get the best out of the event including preparation tips, guides and all essential information
Event team on hand to answer all of your questions

ON EVENT:

Fully-signposted route
Loaded pit stops
On route medical support
Event timing from Results Base
Finisher's medal
Bag transport to the finish for all participants
Map book with information about the route, views and landmarks

BASECAMP:

2-course meal
Yoga sessions
Optional glamping
Relax and recharge area
Hot showers
Massage
Access to basecamp bars and concessions

PIT STOPS:

Sports nutrition and hydration from High5
Medical support
Toilets
Food and drinks
Water fill-up points
Rest areas

MEDICAL:

Team of basecamp doctors
Paramedics out on the route
Medics located at pit stops
Massage therapists at basecamp

Addresses:

Start address: Field Farm, Shirburn Road, Lewknor, Watlington, Oxon, OX49 5RR
Basecamp (midway point and Day 2 start): Lattin Down Kiln, The Ridgeway, Wantage, Oxon, OX12 8PA
Finish address: Rutland Farm, Avebury, SN8 1RH

Age Limits:

Participants must be aged 16 years or above by the start of the event to be allowed to enter the event.

Participants under the age of 18 years (but over the age of 16 years) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for health and safety reasons.

Team Entry:

Teams of friends: as we need all medical and dietary info from each participant we need each individual to register individually. There will be a section on the registration form that allows you to write in your team name, so that we can link you with your other team mates. This is important so that we know to put you in the same camping zone for the event.

Corporate teams: if you are interested in entering a corporate team, please contact us [email protected] We can invoice your company for the places so the individuals don’t have to pay on registration when signing up. We will also let you know how we can support your pre-event experience on elements such as kit design and training days.

Race Packs:

Your race packs will get sent out 1 week before the event start date.

If you are travelling from overseas, you will not receive your pack in the post and you will need to pick it up from the registration desk on the day. This is also the case for anyone who registers after 5th June.

The race pack will include your bib number with safety pins, a luggage label and your participant wristband. It will also include your parking permit if you purchased parking before 16th June.

If you have any questions about your pack, please head to the Info Desk on the day of the event.

Start Times:

SATURDAY –
We will be running a staggered start so as to reduce congestion on the first part of the route. Your start time will have been allocated to you and is printed on your race pack. We have tried to allocate these as per your preferred start time, selected at registration, but have allocated times throughout the waves so as to allow us to safely manage capacities.

The start times on the Saturday morning are between 7:30am-8:35am with the faster runners setting off in the earliest wave groups. We recommend you arrive 30-45mins before you start time.

SUNDAY – 
On the Sunday participants can start any time between 5.30am and 7am (competitive runners will need to start at 6am).

Prizes:

We will be awarding prizes for the fastest males and female for each distance.

To compete for first place, and be in with a chance of winning the trophy you will need to set off in the first wave group (A).

If you have chosen a different wave group but would like to qualify for a chance to win please let us know a minimum of one month in advance of the event so that we can put you in the correct wave group.

Bag Transport:

We will transport your bags for you from the start to your final destination each day. In your registration pack you will be given a luggage label with your participant number on it to attach to any luggage so it is easy to find at the end of the day. You’ll just need to drop bags with us in the morning and it will be there for you to pick them up at the other end.

We would advise that you carry a small rucksack with you containing essentials such as a water bottle, first aid kit, spare pairs of socks and another layer of warm/waterproof clothing in case the weather changes.

Camping:

Your tent will be pitched ready and waiting for you when you arrive at basecamp and you will collect your sleeping mat when you check in to tent allocation.

You will need to bring your own sleeping bag.

Tents are 2 man pop up tents (allocated one per person) so if you are participating in a couple you can opt to put your bags in one tent and yourselves in another.

You are not permitted to provide your own tent and camp on site.

All basecamp space is reserved for the event set up and event vehicles. If you wish to camp overnight on site you will need to book the relevant package.

Pit Stops:

NON-STOP – 
For those running Non-Stop there will be approximately 9 pre-determined pit stops.

WEEKENDERS/1-DAY – 
Each day there will be approximately 4 pre-determined pit stops.

All the pit stops provide snacks, drinks, toilets and first aid facilities. These are designed to give you a short rest break (max 20mins) and refuel you for the next stage of the event. The exact distances and cut off times will be shared with you in the lead up to the event.

Please note: we ask that you don’t arrange to meet friends and family at pit stops as they can become very crowded if each participant has supporters there as well. Instead we recommend they meet you at the base camp or away from the event pit stops.

Cut-Off Times:

NON-STOP –
The route is open from Saturday 4th July, 7.30am until Sunday 5th July, 8.00pm.

WEEKENDER/1-DAY –
The route is open from 7.30am – 10.00pm Saturday 4th July, and Sunday 5th July, 5.30am – 8.00pm.

Please note: each pit stop will have a cut off time (determined closer to the start of the event). If you miss the cut off time, regardless of the route opening times, you will be liable for disqualification.

There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. There is nowhere where this rings truer than England so you need to be prepared for anything from hot sun to torrential rain.

We will send a kit list before the event with more detailed guidance but basic kit should consist of: trail trainers/boots, socks, a short and long sleeve breathable sport top, a waterproof shell jacket, sun hat, woolly hat, gloves.

We provide transport for a bag to the finish line, so you don’t need to carry too much.

Spectators are more than welcome to come along and cheer competitors. We only ask that they stay clear of pit stops as these are just for participants.

Spectators are allowed into the basecamp. Limited parking will be available for them. All non-overnight participants will need to be off the basecamp site by 10.00pm.

How much training am I expected to do?

This is dependent on how much exercise you do currently. We provide you with comprehensive training plans for all distances for both running and walking.

You will also be provided with training advice to ensure you are in the best possible shape. Other than that we recommend regular, consistent training – give yourself enough weeks to train but don’t overdo it!

Will there be live tracking?

In partnership with Open Tracking, you can now hire a GPS tracker for the duration of the event!

Your tracker will provide accurate location data, available online for your friends and family to view, so they can see how well you’re progressing along the route. This is NOT linked to your event timing but it does mean your supporters can see more accurately where you are throughout the event and how close you are to the finish line!

Links to book this will be made available closer to the event.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs (aside from assistance dogs) are not permitted on the route as part of the event, due to the volume of people on the trail and the challenging nature of the course. Participants will do a lot of training in the run up to the event, and we cannot ensure that dogs have the stamina to complete the route or be responsible for them.

Dogs are only allowed on certain basecamps due to the health and safety regulations on the farms, so please email us directly if you would like to find out which basecamps they will be able to visit.