Gravel Rocks | Trail Running | Fri 6km, Sat 25km, Sun social

Provisional timetable

Friday

• 12:00 | Event Village opens
• 13:00 | Registration opens
• 13:00 | Catering/bar opens
• 17:00 | Warm-up loop opens
• 19:30 | Music
• 20:00 | Warm-up loop closes
• 21:30 (approx) | Night stage starts
• 22:30 | Night stage closes
• 23:00 | All quiet

Saturday

• 07:30 | Registration/catering opens
• 09:30 | Stage start opens
• 12:30 | 39km course cut-off
• 12:00 | Catering/bar opens
• 14:30 | Afternoon stage opens
• 14:45 | Afternoon stage start closes
• 18:00 | Saturday stage closes
• 19:00 | Prizegiving
• 20:00 | Music from a DJ, socialising and celebrating
• 21:00 | Live music
• 00:00 | All quiet

Sunday

• 07:30 | Food vendors open
• 09:30 | Social rides
• 13:00 | Event Village closes

The Festival

Adventure, Challenge, and Mystery

Across two action-packed days, athletes will tackle timed segments (exact number depending on distance), including two Friday night timed segments in Gravel Rocks in the Dark. But there’s a twist: the locations of each timed segment are a mystery until you uncover them along the route, adding an element of surprise and excitement to every step or pedal stroke. Not racing? No problem – come for the trails, the camaraderie, and the festival atmosphere.

Something for Everyone

Gravel Rocks caters to all levels of experience. From seasoned athletes to newcomers to off-road adventurers, the event offers a range of distances and challenges, blending competition with fun and celebrating the thrill of gravel and trail sports.

Festival Vibes Beyond the Trails

The event centre is a hub of activity with delicious food, refreshing drinks, live music, and a DJ/Live Band, providing the perfect backdrop to share stories from the day’s adventures and recharge. Whether you are a runner or a rider the event brings together both communities to share a passion for adventure. Gravel Rocks isn’t just an event – it’s a full-on celebration of everything that makes off-road cycling and running so special.

Why not bring the family along to support?

We are offering Supporters come along for free they will have access to the event village, entertainment and the full range of facilities plus free activities and activity pack.

The Supporters Guide will give details of all the things to see and do in the area plus the best locations to cheer on your riders. Free activities will be outlined nearer the time to include a family trail/treasure hunt and suggested easy rides and walks within the estate.

It is important that there is no running prior to or after the event as this can affect the livelihood of the local community.

Friday

'Gravel Rocks in the Dark':

• 6km total distance
• 2 short timed segments
• Fully signed route
• Start approx 9:30pm with lights

Saturday

The Big Day with Big View and Big Country:

• Your selected route 10km, 25km or 35km
• Timed segments on each route – dependent on distance
• Fully signed with course arrows
• Start from 10:00am
• Feed station on route

Both Friday and Saturday’s routes will be signed and timed segment locations will be clearly marked as you approach. Combined times will inform the podium.

Prizes

Event categories and podium presentations for:

• Remember its your combined time from the Timed Segments which count towards your overall podium position
• Age Categories (taken from actual age on the day of the Friday event)
• 18-24 – Open/Female (min age 18)
• 25-39 – Open/Female
• 40-49 – Open/Female
• 50-59 – Open/Female
• 60 and above – Open/Female
• In categories with fewer than 5 runners, the decision may be taken to combine with the next lowest age group.

Event HQ

Duncombe Park Estate
Duncombe Park, Helmsley
York
North Yorkshire
YO62 5EB
UK

Camping & glamping

The event venue is fully serviced and has ample space for riders to remain on-site. Fresh water, showers, full catering/bar and toilets are all on hand.

Campervans, roof tents, caravans and tents are all welcome at no extra cost.

If you fancy a little more luxury, there is an option to stay in your own Teepee in the ‘Gravel Rocks Teepee Village.’ Each unit has carpeting, bedding, lighting, beds etc.

Catering

A full range of catering will be available throughout the weekend with most dietary requirements covered. Please get in touch with us if you have very specific requirements.

Meals will be available to purchase from our caterer throughout the weekend from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning.

Live entertainment

Both Friday and Saturday evening will have live entertainment in the main event village.

Included

• Friday night stage – fully marked
• Saturday stage – fully marked
• Fully timed segments along the route with splits
• Access to bar and catering throughout the weekend – variety of choices and prices
• Camping/campervan for 2 nights
• On site and on course medical cover
• Parking for the weekend
• Limited edition event sponsor goods – supplied by brands
• Access to Event Village and Sponsor Activations and Athlete Talks
• Saturday fully stocked on course Feed Station
• Toilets/Showers/Fresh Water
• Free supporter activities and guide

Entry fees