Saxon Shore Seaside Series 2017 - 10 Challenge Events in 10 days around the Kent Coast
From 24th November to 3rd December 2017 we're going to hold a series of 10 consecutive and challenges at various locations around Kent.. It will be a tough challenge, mentally and physically to do all ten, but we know lots of folk who can do this, even if they don't know it themselves. Yet.
This page is just some extra information about the Saxon Shore Seaside Series, each of the events is totally separate. Click on the links for each event to go through to more detailed pages.
Remember that each day is a Challenge Event. You can ring the bell after one lap if you wish. We'll have a distance as close to a marathon as we can each day, one extra lap will be an ultra. The half marathon distance won't quite work out so accurately on some routes and might creep up to 15 odd miles on a couple of the days, well, three... the first three to be precise.
Day 1 - 0830 24th November - Friday - Samphire Hoe - Samphire Challenge - 3.75 mile loops.
Very straightforward course at Samphire Hoe as only a couple of paths and a sea wall here and the place is totally enclosed by cliffs and the sea. An out and back route, pretty flat aside from the hill of doom and the lesser hill of doom.
Parking: Pay and display, infinite space.
Where do I need to be? Click for map.
Day 2 - 0830 25th November - Saturday - Samphire Hoe - Fudgeathon - 3.75 mile loops.
Very straightforward course at Samphire Hoe as only a couple of paths and a sea wall here and the place is totally enclosed by cliffs and the sea. An out and back route, pretty flat aside from the mountain of doom and the lesser mountain of doom.
Parking: Pay and display, infinite space.
Where do I need to be? Click for map.
Day 3 - 0830 26th November - Sunday - Deal - Saxon Shore Marathon/Challenge - 5.25 mile loops.
This route is straight up and down the sea wall basically between Walmer and Sandown Castles. The Walmer Castle turn around will have a cone (its only 100 odd yards past the aid station) and the Sandown Castle end is simply where the sea wall runs out, the golden rule is simply to stay on the path nearest to the beach.
This event is slightly different in that if you complete a marathon then you'll get the Saxon Shore Marathon medal, any other distance the Viking Challenge medal.
It's not impossible we'll have to change this to a six loop event as they are doing some sea defence work at the Sandown Castle end. We'll decide Sunday morning when we arrive after a very late recce...
Parking: Free and infinite. Please avoid the tiny car park opposite the road junction, there is a big free car park 100 yards away and a smaller free bumpy car park the other way and unlimited free street parking in the area.
Where do I need to be? Click for map
Day 4 - 0830 27th November - Monday - Pegwell Bay - Hugin Challenge - 3.28 mile loops.
Bit of a convoluted route to describe but you're basically at all times between the sea and a road on a long thin figure of 8 type course, it'll be well marked. We have been warned that some paths might be closed to due a project they are working on here, in which case we'll have to fiddle around with the route somewhat. We have a plan B, C and D in that case.
Parking: Pay and display on site (which is limited) free off site - please take a look at the location page, most tricky parking of the series for this event, please be a star and research this one a little bit, if everyone just thinks they are going to pile in to the site parking at 0815 there will be many frustrated people! This is likely the only day where parking will be a worry, five minutes of research will sort you out.
Where do I need to be? Click for map.
Day 5 - 0830 28th November - Tuesday - Margate - Relativity Run - 6.70 mile loops.
This route is a slightly long marathon, but as its a challenge event not quite so important. We start east to go past the toilets early in the loop (there are no toilets at the race start but three sets on the route) and you follow the sea wall along to Margate sea front, then continue along the sea wall and follow around to the left to the end of the pier, run around the statue of the sea shell women and return, (you don't go past the Turner Gallery or cross the road) you then carry on past the aid station (though you can stop if you wish!) heading West simply till the sea wall runs out and back to the aid station and that's a 6.7 mile loop. Big free car park. This route is very grey.
Parking: Big free car park a few feet from base camp.
Where do I need to be? Click for map.
Day 6 - 0830 29th November - Wednesday - Margate - Soul Cake Day Challenge Event- 6.70 mile loops.
This route is a slightly long marathon and will seem rather longer than yesterday. We start east to go past the toilets early in the loop (there are no toilets at the race start but three sets on the route) and you follow the sea wall along to Margate sea front, then continue along the sea wall and follow around to the left to the end of the pier, run around the statue of the sea shell women and return, (you don't go past the Turner Gallery or cross the road) you then carry on past the aid station (though you can stop if you wish!) heading West simply till the sea wall runs out and back to the aid station and that's a 6.7 mile loop. This route is really, really, really grey.
Parking: Big free car park a few feet from base camp.
Where do I need to be? Click for map.
Day 7 - 0830 30th November - Thursday - Ramsgate - St Andrews Day Challenge - 4.42 mile loops.
This route is a bit convoluted to get the distance and we'll chalk arrow the course. It's basically three out and backs linked together, one turn around is the aid station and the other two are immediately before road crossings, we'll cone those two but there are no road crossings on the route so it is fairly obvious as you simply can't go further without hitting a road! One warning is that this is the hilliest of the routes and goes through quite a narrow tunnel so do be aware when running downhill through that especially of the public. It is worth having a look at the course map for this one.
Parking: Unlimited free street parking.
Where to I need to be? Click for map.
Day 8 - 0830 1st December - Friday - Ramsgate - Advent Challenge - 4.42 mile loops.
This route is a bit convoluted to get the distance and we'll chalk arrow the course. It's basically three out and backs linked together, one turn around is the aid station and the other two are immediately before road crossings, we'll cone those two but there are no road crossings on the route so it is fairly obvious as you simply can't go further without hitting a road! One warning is that this is the hilliest of the routes and goes through quite a narrow tunnel so do be aware when running downhill through that especially of the public. It is worth having a look at the course map for this one.
Parking: Unlimited free street parking.
Where to I need to be? Click for map.
Day 9 - 0930 2nd December - Saturday - Betteshanger - Fowlmead Challenge - 4.37 mile loops.
The course is marked with little green arrows that are screwed to the fences/way markers etc which are quite small so do need to be looked out for. But basically its a half lap around the outer lower path, up the little hill a complete lap of the upper path, back down the same little hill you came up, back the way you came to base camp.
Parking: Pay and display parking. Tons of space.
Where do I need to be? Click for map.
Day 10 - 0930 3rd December - Sunday - Betteshanger - Lucky Dip Marathon - 4.37 mile loops.
The course is marked with little green arrows that are screwed to the fences/way markers etc which are quite small so do need to be looked out for. But basically its a half lap around the outer lower path, up the little hill a complete lap of the upper path, back down the same little hill you came up, back the way you came to base camp.
Parking: Pay and display parking. Tons of space.
Where do I need to be? Click for map.
10 x 10 FAQ
Can I run 10 half/full/ultra marathons in 10 days?
It's tough, its hard work, but very achievable. It's mainly getting yourself to marathon type level fitness, going a bit beyond that and then having the will power. And liking the sea, and flat sea walls. And grey. And chocolate. You can do it. You just have to want to do it. A lot. We've got some really dull routes, on hard surfaces, in the middle of winter. It'll be cold, possibly wet and bound to be windy. You've got to really want to do it. No its not the toughest running challenge in the world, its not even the toughest running challenge in Kent. Not even the toughest running challenge in November in Kent! That's Gatliff 50k that is far harder. We're mainly putting this on so for the seventh consecutive year I have a valid excuse not to do that.
Are there time limits?
Yes. For each event you must be out on your last lap 5:59:59 after the start even if you finish that last lap after the six hour time limit.
What's a hard cut off?
It means we mean it! 5:59:59 and you're just fine. 6:01 and you're finished for the day. We have to be fair to the helpers and volunteers and don't want them freezing for hours on end whilst folk take 8 or 9 hours for a marathon/ultra not to mention it'll be dark. Hard means hard. See below on the no crying or bitching rule! Last lap by 5:59:59 you can do that. If you can't then take a day off and rest and come back the day after.
Can I start early?
All races are going to start at 0830 aside from the last two which are 0930. There are no early starts, I don't believe in them, what event are you part of if you're wandering around by yourself at 0600 in the morning? And no we don't care that other events let their runners start hours early and wander around in 8/9/10 hours. No early starts!
Do I have to race money for charity?
You can if you want, but not compulsory. Totally up to you. £5 of each runners entry fees are going to the nature reserves that we're running on. So if you're in for all 10 then you're already donating £50 to charity... thank you! SVN will be donating around £7000 in total as a result of this series.
Will I get 10 medals?
Yes!
Will I get a sore neck from the compulsory “all ten medals around my neck” selfie on the last day?
Quite possibly. No sympathy or liability accepted for medal related injuries!
I hear your goody bags are pretty decent, do I get one each day?
Yes, liking chocolate is pretty much compulsory. You'll be getting 9 lots of it plus an advent calendar with some in.
I'm not sure that I can eat that much chocolate, what can I do?
Stand at the finish line waving bars or bags of chocolate around asking for help, you'll be amazed how quickly I will arrive.
Do you provide ice baths after each days run?
Yes we do, its called the sea. Feel free to go waddle/sit/paddle/swim in it. Don't be surprised if you're alone though. It's Winter, it'll probably be raining, windy and bloody freezing already and you want ice baths? Don't be silly or be silly and freeze!
I've heard if I don't have daily physio there is no way I can do this or else how will I be “fixed” or “put back together” at the end of each day?
At the finish of each run we'll count your legs, if you have two, then you're good to go. Just get on with it.
Am I allowed to cry?
No. There is no crying, no whining, no bitching, no sad face selfies at mile 19 and no Facebook posts saying how broken you are and don't know how you can continue.
I've seen photos of other 10x10 events and there is lots of hugging and crying why none here?
Because this is hard work not life and death. It's not an emotional roller coaster, its not the hardest thing you've ever done, no group hugs at the start, no group photos at the finish. No you don't have to wear the same shirt. If you're doing this for kudos or adulation then you've come to the wrong place, a nod and a handshake means as much from those that know than endless bloody hugs and tears. Turn up, get it done, eat some cake and chocolate, smile, repeat!
I used the word “broken” in a Facebook post and I still have two legs is there a forfeit?
Yes, an extra lap the next day.
If I'm a bit sore on day six can I have the day off?
Sure, each day is an individual event, you can have a day off and a lie in if you like and then come back the next day. Nobody will think any the less of you and in fact are amazingly impressed that you've done 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 marathons, you've not let anyone down. Anyone who says they have will get a sharp left hook from the Race Director. Or you can start late and do a lap and have a nice lie in.
Will there be a large crowd of people to cheer me on the last day and tell me how amazing I am?
No, there will be 3 sea gulls who will try to dive bomb you and old Eric and his dog Jasper. Jasper will bark a bit and think you're amazing if you give him a few chips otherwise he's not impressed.
Will there be TV crews?
Only to record the crime scene if someone posts up a heart rending selfie video on Facebook saying they are broken, can't go on, tearfully wailing they've let everyone down and then do a PB next day.
What's the best way to train for a challenge like this?
Start off with cup cakes every 6-7 miles working your way up to full blown chocolate cake and cheesecake by mile 17. Eat cookies every mile or two, scoff at folk who eat 15 gels a race.
Will you be supplying gels and isotonic drinks as otherwise I don't think I can run a marathon without them?
We'll supply cookies, cakes and a get out of the bloody aid station encouragement instead.
No funky shirts? No awards? No prizes?
We want this to be a fun, low pressure achievable challenge. We don't want folk to feel under pressure to do all 10 if they're suffering. For a shirt, or a bit of slate, or some random worthless something. We don't want folk running half crippled or injured, doing actual real world damage to themselves, if you want to skip a day, then do, there is no pressure. Handshake and a well done if you're a chap, hug and a well done if you're a girl.
We're low key, just enjoy pushing yourself. If you've read down this far then you're probably the ideal person do be doing this, we like folk you because you've taken a few minutes to read what we've written and have a fair idea of what you're getting yourself into. There is a deep sense of satisfaction from knowing you've done these things, pushed your limits, you don't need the adulation, the likes, the kudos, just a lean back in a chair a long time from here and the thought that drifts across your mind. "I can't believe I did that."
And the even deeper sense of satisfaction from picking up that chocolate bar and thinking, you know, I bloody earned this!
