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The Black Ranscombe Challenge on Halloween!

We've been given permission for what may be a one off event as Halloween this year falls on a Saturday and what would be the creepiest route that we have, we thought Ranscombe at night, with all those woods might be a bit spooky!

For the Black Ranscombe Challenge we're going to use a variation of the usual Ranscombe loop to incorporate more woods and a visit to the Darnley Mausoleum each loop, fancy dress is very much encouraged and we'll have some "glow in the dark" things to illuminate runners once the lights go out, not to mention an appropriate "Black Ranscombe" medal.

The event will have an eight hour time limit for you to run as many, or as few laps as you wish. With a timed event, as long as you complete one lap, then you are an official finisher! We'll start at 13:00 and sun down is 16:30 so you'll be partially in light, then twilight and then finally deep night (there won't be much moon), all being well on a lovely late Autumnal evening.

This will be a tough but fun challenge, each loop has about 350' of climb and doesn't quite fit in with our quest to bring you even flatter or even more mud free courses but when you experience running round this beautiful rural reserve on rolling chalk downland trail amidst an array of wildflowers, wildlife and views over North Kent and the Medway (it's a minute from the M2 Google Map) you'll understand why we couldn't resist the detour from our norm!

There are hills, the North Downs Way crosses part of the reserve, and being totally on trail there is the chance of a bit of mud but the well stocked aid station, a unique custom made medal and a goody bag that actually contains goodies will make the undulations and any mud more than worth it. (But it is on chalk downlands so does drain pretty well!)

Having completed lots of marathons we believe we know what it takes to put on an enjoyable marathon for the fit, the dedicated and the hardcore long distance runners. And for those, like ourselves, who fit none of those categories, we'll do our best to get you round! We put on marathons run exactly the way we wish they were all run - low key, friendly and with most of the entry fee being spent on the runners.

For this race we're the guests of the Ranscombe Farm Reserve, who exist to maintain this corner of England as a haven for wild flowers to flourish in. They are the flagship reserve for the charity Plantlife International , speaking up for wild plants!

It's our aim that this event makes an impactful difference to the Trust in a positive fashion and as such £5 from each entry fee will be donated directly to the Trust to aid them in maintaining this lovely environment.

Please explore the race and consider joining us!

 

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