A gentle chocolate themed run in Northampton!

Event Postponed until 21 November 2020

We love chocolate almost as much as we love cake! We love chocolate things. We're not so keen on the calories, which is why many of us run, so we can indulge and at this running event, you can indulge! Run a lap, eat some chocolate, run a lap, eat some chocolate, you see the theme? And when you finish you'll receive a very special chocolate themed medal (not edible! lol) and a hefty chocolate themed goody bag!

Following the huge sucess of our runs in Kent we are now having to expand to cope with the demand and the number one request we've had is can there be more outside of Kent, so here it is. Middle of England, Northampton!

The course is a mix of very high quality bike paths and grassy trails along the River Nene and around several flood reservoirs, so plenty of wildlife and views to be seen. It's pretty flat, only about 40' of climb per lap.


As usual we'll have a well stocked aid station which you'll pass every 5.17 miles, which will have more cakes than usual, a unique custom made medal and a goody bag that actually contains goodies which will make the undulations and any mud more than worth it.

Please explore the race and consider joining us!

Course Information

The course runs from the Northampton Holiday Inn in a 5.17 mile loop along the River Nene and around several flood storage reservoirs. It's 100% off road. 45% tarmac, 55% grassy trails. For those who want to complete a marathon distance we'll have a 0.35 mile out and back near the base camp to make up the full 26.2 mile distance. (If you want to complete a half marathon then it's two full laps and a 2.78 mile short lap which you can view here.)

You can view the route on MapMyRun here


The total elevation gain is about 40' per loop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I get?
You will receive
2) A goody bag at the finish, which has goodies in, not a bunch of adverts. This will be specially chocolate themed!
3) A well stocked base camp with plenty of nibbles and refreshments for post race replenishment. Again there is nothing healthy here, no isotonic drinks or fruit. But biscuits, crisps, nuts, cakes, rocky road, M&Ms and those sorts of things!

Where do I park?
There is a large car park a few yards from the start/finish. Parking is free and included as part of your entry fee. Please only park in the rear and side car parks, there is a small one right by base camp but please don't park here as this is to be kept free for locals and isn't part of the hotel's parking. Holiday Inn Northampton (Website), Bedford Rd, Northampton NN4 7YF (Map)

You need to register your car number plate in hotel reception. They're using a new "magic eye" parking system and whilst the parking is paid for as part of your entry you need to register when you arrive!

When do I get my race number?
You'll pick this up on race day morning from a meeting room in the hotel, there are only two, just past reception, we'll be in one of those although if the weather is fine we'll have registration outside at base camp. It's all very compact so we won't be hard to find!

Are there time limits?
Yes, six hours to run as many laps as you can. You can finish at any time within the 6 hours and your final distance will be recorded along with your finishing time. Only complete laps within the 6 hours will be recorded or you must have left the aid station for your last lap by 6.00 after race start (even if you finish that final lap after the six hours it'll count, you just have to have left for the final lap 6:00 after the start, and these time limits are hard, 6:00:01 and that's too late as is the custom with ultra endurance events (which this technically is, though there is absolutely no requirement to run an ultra!)).

Any runner completing 26.2 miles will have completed an official marathon (by 100 Marathon Club standards) of about 26.2 miles, 27+ miles will have completed an ultra. As long as you finish one lap then you'll receive an official finish time, medal and goody bag. With timed events there are no DNFs.

How are laps counted?
At race registration you'll be given a lap counting card. Attach this to yourself with a safety pin or cable tie. At the end of each lap get this punched by one of the card punchers, this keeps track of the distance that you've done so keep it safe!. So basically at the end of each lap, either get your card punched, or ring the bell! Ringing the bell signifies you are "ringing out" and have stopped running for the day.

Do I have to run for the whole time?
No! You can stop at any time you wish, just as long as you complete one lap you are an official finisher, ring the finishers bell and you're done, medal and goody bag will be yours!

Can I stop at marathon distance?
Yes. If you complete 26.2 miles it will count as a marathon finish by 100 Marathon Club standards and we'll even give you a little badge to pin to your medal ribbon to signify the distance you ran! (There is an ultra badge too if you complete 27+ miles)

Do you have secure baggage facilities
No. But you're free to leave bags at the start/finish. There will always be someone around but we can't guarantee their security. You'll be able to park close to the start/finish don't forget.


Trail shoes? Road Shoes?
Road shoes should be fine if its dry. Otherwise possibly trail or hybrid as a fair bit is on tarmac, and also a fair bit on grassy trails.

Is the course closed to the public?
No. We are on a public nature reserve and bike paths. Runners do not have the right of way and need to be considerate of other users of the land, there may be dog walkers, ramblers or cyclists on any part of the course. Please don't litter. We'll have a bin at the base camp, please use this and there are several bins on the route too.

What on course facilities do you provide?

Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?
Yes there are toilets inside the hotel, a bar and restaurant.

Can I use an ipod or mp3 player on the course?
Yes. Though please be aware that you are running on public footpaths with the general public so make sure that you pay attention to traffic, people, children on bikes, wildlife and so on.

Public Transport?
The nearest train station is Northampton and is 2.8 miles away.


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