Human Race, the UK’s leading mass participation sports events company, has opened entries for its 2013-14 Off-Road Series. This coming season, Human Race looks forward to four events taking place across the forthcoming autumn, winter and spring – with each event featuring a fully off-road duathlon, plus a long and short distance trail run, helping to bring athletes closer to nature.
Last season the Off-Road series saw over 2,000 competitors leave their concrete pavements and traffic-ridden roads behind and venture into the great unknown – tackling mud, marsh, streams and hills for harder and more technical but ultimately more enjoyable, satisfying races.
Traditionally the series welcomes a varied mix of participants from experienced off-road athletes through to those taking to the trails for the first time. With a range of different distances on offer, each event is designed to cater for anyone looking to maintain fitness throughout the colder months.
Each event features terrain designed to play to the strengths, and expose the weaknesses, of different types of athlete. Hill runners, fell runners, demon descenders and those that can run quickly over uneven terrain will find themselves well catered for with the fun nature of the races, making for great camaraderie among competitors and marshals alike.
The new season will see the return of both the Duathlon Leaderboard and the Trail Running Championship, where points will be awarded for the top 50 finishers in the longer of the two runs. In order to qualify for the Leaderboard, competitors must complete three of the four races in the Off Road Series. Should anyone be daring enough take on all four events; their three fastest finishing times will be used. (Any duathletes taking on this challenge will receive a free entry into the Whole Foods Market Breakfast Run on 23 March 2014.)
Human Race is also excited to announce the return of the ‘run with your dog’ event for anyone wanting some uphill assistance from their canine companions. There is a growing and very friendly contingent of dogs and their owners taking part in the Off Road Series, so athletes (and their dogs!) are encouraged to sign up and join in the fun. With treats available for all dogs taking part, who better to take on nature with than man’s best friend?
The series kicks off on 16 November with Wildman at the army testing grounds of Ash Rangers in Surrey, which is always a much anticipated season opener. Just a quick three week turnaround and Human Race is then into its second event, Mudman, on 7 December at the MOD ground in Camberley, Surrey. Another army military ground means it will be stony and muddy underfoot in equal measure while the hills will be steep and the competition fierce as always.
The third race in the series see competitors head over to Frimley to tackle the Iceman course before the series leaves the army training grounds for the spectacular finale in the forests of Eridge Park near Royal Tunbridge Wells for TrailMan on 22 February.
Human Race will be giving prizes to the winners of each event as well as a prize for the overall series winner. However, the prizes won’t be limited to those at the front of the race; there will also be spot prizes and goodies at each event.
Every finisher will also receive an exclusive Off Road t-shirt, with four to collect through the series. This year Human Race will also have Vita Coco coconut water at the finish and PowerBar products on hand to keep competitors hydrated and fuelled through the gruelling courses.
The Off Road Series offers competitors a break from routine and presents them with the chance to go head-to-head against nature. Human Race notes that this is the perfect way to keep fitness up throughout the winter months. Athletes can also give something back while racing and raise money for Rainbow Trust, the official charity for the Off Road Series.
