Rose of the Shires Ultra and The Rosebud Marathon | Rose of the Shires Ultra

Timetable

• 06:45 | Registration
• 08:00 | Start

Shoe type

Trail shoes are advised.

Kit list

A mandatory kit list is readily available.

Your own crew

You can have your own crew. The golden rule is only do what would be possible for everyone else to do if they had a crew!

Specators spots

Sywell Country Park, Yardley Hastings, Piddington (The Spread Eagle), Hartwell, Stoke Bruerne, Blisworth, Gayton, Bugbrooke and Harpole.

Event HQ

Brixworth Country Park
Northampton Road
Brixworth
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN6 9DG
UK

Parking

The lower meadow car park has been allocated for parking.

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.

GPX route

The route is displayed on the map above.

Overview

An incredible 54-mile circular Ultra Marathon starting and finishing at Brixworth Country Park just outside of Northampton in a wonderful central location. The route is a mix of footpaths, country trails, roads and canal towpath.

Run it all, run as a relay or run the last 26 miles in the Rosebud Marathon.

Map

Terrain

The route is 36.4 miles of cross country trails; 15.6 miles of roads; and 1.8 miles of canal tow path.  Elevation is +2315 ft (+706m) and -2315 ft (-706m).

Waymarkers

The course follows a waymarked route but requires some navigation. Various resources are provided to keep you on track including a tracker and a voice navigation app.  The course is covered by OS Maps 207, 223 and 224.

Checkpoints

There are 6 checkpoints. Each will have water, a selection of supplementary snacks and of course the famous fruit cake. 

Cut off

13.5 hours.

There are progressive cut off times from checkpoint 3 onwards. Details will be provided.

Relay race

A way to enjoy being part of the event without having to run 54 miles!  The race divides up into 7 legs (start to CP1/CP1 to CP2 etc. until CP6 to the finish). Distances in miles are 8.7, 7.1, 7.4, 6.8, 7.7, 8, 8.4 There are 3 options:

The tracker will serve as your baton and each team member will receive a medal and merch at the finish.

• 3 person relay

  You will need a driver and three runners.  Two members of the team will complete 2 of the 7 legs and one member 3 of the 7 legs.

• 4 person relay

  You will need a driver (don’t forget there will only be three runners in the car plus the driver at any one time) and four runners.  Three members of the team will complete 2 of the 7 legs and one member 1 of the 7 legs.

• 7 person relay

  You will need two drivers.  Each person will run one leg.

Included

• Medal
• Merchandise
• Tracker

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female Competitors. 

• 3 Person Relay – £90 per team
• 4 Person Relay – £100 per team
• 7 Person Relay – £130 per team
  
  

Entry fees

Great event, really well organised and loved the route! Rachel L

Incredibly well organised event with great volunteers and a beautiful route! Peter B

Loads of energy from Simon and the team. All of the aid stations were well stocked and I felt really looked after. Beautiful countryside and villages. Looking forward to next year. Joe M

My 4th time running RoS so that pretty much tells you how positive my feedback is. Great organisation, checkpoints and course route. Marshalls we're very helpful and friendly. No negatives from me! 👌🏻😊 Kerrie P

There has been brilliant communication from Simon and his team in the build up to the event. The registration process pre event is seamless. And Simon always goes the extra mile to speak to the competitors. The aid stations, as always are very well stocked catering for vegans and non vegans alike. The support from all the marshals at the aid stations is amazing. Offering advice, words of encouragement or whatever is needed. Especially as many are runners themselves, so understand what’s needed. This is the second time I’ve ran this course and it never gets easier. I would recommend anyone, that not only wants a challenge, but a day of beautiful scenery to partake in this event. Marc S

One of the best races I’ve ever done. Incredible energy and great support! Cameron L

Go Beyond are great team, such lovely people and really professional and friendly. I know how much work goes on behind-the-scenes to put these events on and Simon Rachel always do it with a smile. I can’t say I’m in a particular rush to come back and run around Northampton again (it was hard!), but I’ll absolutely be running with Go Beyond again. Tarne W

Rose of the Shires is an absolutely fantastic event, superbly well organised and with a nicely flat course showcasing the best of the Northamptonshire countryside (helped by glorious weather for this year's event!). The aid stations are marshalled by local running clubs so they really understand what you need and help you get sorted and back on your way as quickly as possible. I highly recommend Rose of the Shires. Vivienne G

Absolutely fantastic event with seamless organisation! I would highly recommend this event to anyone looking to do a ‘flatter’ 50+ miler. The course goes through some amazing scenery and villages in Northamptonshire. Aid stations are frequent, and the volunteers were sensational. Oliver S

Another great event from Go Beyond! The route took in many scenic parts of Northamptonshire. The start, checkpoints and finish were well supported and safe. Lots of people around to help with information, nutrition and hydration. Plenty of friendly Marshalls offering motivation and encouragement. Great medal and hot soup at the end. The tracking system used was helpful, so family and friends could follow us along the route. I'd definitely do this again! Kerrie P

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck