Shires and Spires Marathon, Three Quarter, Half & 10k

COURSE description

Shires and Spires is a five distance circular event starting and finishing at Naseby Village Hall just outside of Northampton in a wonderful central location. The event is run in a clockwise direction on even years and anti-clockwise on odd years. The 10K  is a challenging road race (open roads) with an undulating course,  down hill into the valley below and up  hill to finish!  Elevation is +400 and -400 Feet

• Anti Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file
• Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file

The Multi Terrain Half Marathon (13.4 miles) – winner of the MARM race of the year 2023 is 11.7 miles on road and 1.7 miles of trails and covers a section of the longer distance routes.  Elevation is +897 and -897 Feet

• Anti Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file
• Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file

The Multi Terrain 3/4 Marathon (19.1 miles) is 11.1 miles on road and 8 miles of trails and covers a section of the longer distance routes.  Elevation is +1334 and -1334 Feet

• Anti Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file
• Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file

The Multi Terrain  Marathon (26.6 miles) is 12.9 miles on road and 13.7 miles of trails and covers a large part of the Ultra  distance routes.  Elevation is +1743 and -1743 Feet

• Anti Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file
• Clockwise Electronic route plot and downloadable GPX  file

video race briefing

10 KM Half Marathon  Three Quarter Marathon  Marathon  Ultra Marathon 

course marking

The 10K and Half Marathon course follows a marked and marshalled route and the 3/4 Marathon and Marathon follow a waymarked route but requires some navigation, you will be issued a tracker which will tell you (via your phone) your location/the route/everyone else’s location in the race.  We provide a voice cue navigation app (for free) and various resources to keep you on track.  The routes are covered by OS Maps 223

CHECKPOINTS AND AID STATIONS

10K – one aid station (water only) Anti Clockwise – 5Km  Clockwise – 7Km Half Marathon – two aid stations Anti Clockwise 4.5 miles/10.2 miles  Clockwise 4.6 miles/8.9 miles Three Quarter Marathon – three aid stations Anti Clockwise 4.5 miles/9.6 miles/14.4 miles Clockwise 4.6 miles/9.5 miles/14.5 miles Marathon – 4 checkpoints Each will have water, and  snacks. A drink will be available for all athletes at the finish.    Details of the locations for the Anti Clockwise Marathon can be found here. and Clockwise can be found here.

AWARDS

Registration in the village hall is open from 2pm until 4pm  on Saturday 10th May to avoid the queues and then from  7 am on race day where you will collect your race number. You will need to confirm your mobile phone number and be subjected to random kit checks.  You will collect your trackers TQM and M on Sunday morning. The race will start at 8.30am.  Please click here for your Race Day Instructions (2024)

AGE LIMIT

The following age limits apply for your safety and well being: 10K – 16 years of age Half Marathon – 17 years of age Three Quarter Marathon  – 18 years of age Marathon – 18 years of age

BAGGAGE TRANSFER

As the event is a loop then most competitors will have their kit in their cars.  For everyone else we will store your bag at the finish, so you have warm, dry clothes waiting for you .  Your bag should be no larger than a UK airport carry-on bag size (56 x 45 x 25 cm).

TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION

For anyone wanting to stay overnight locally either before or after the event there is Airbnb or Northampton offers a wealth of hotels to suit all budgets Arrival by car – If you are planning to  drive then there is ample free parking at the village hall complex.  Please allow adequate time to park and register.

TRACKER

Stay on track during the Shires and Spires Three Quarter Marathon and Multi Terrain Marathon . The Geo Tracks GPS Tracker is lightweight and easily fits in a small pocket in your rucksack. Let family and friends track your progress in real-time and use the Geo Tracks app combined with the tracker as an accurate tool for navigation during the event. The Event can be followed using the web link  https://www.geotracks.co.uk/live/3640 or via the app which can be purchased prior to the event for Apple  or for Android.  When opening the web link please click on start times and this will display a list of bib numbers (they are sorted alphabetically by surname).  The GPS Tracking units upload their position every 10 seconds to the live view tracking map and are accurate to 5 metres. Batteries last for 70 hours . Don’t forget to collect your  GPS tracker on Sunday at the event registration and drop off at the finish. To find out more  please visit the Geo Tracks website.   

COURSE RECORDS

10K – none Half Marathon – 4 hours Three Quarter Marathon – 5 hours Marathon – 9 hours.  We have progressive cut off times from Checkpoint 3 onwards, details can be found on the Clockwise  Checkpoint information sheet.