The Red Bull Steeplechase – a gruelling off-road run event in Exmoor, UK, taking place this October – has now opened the event’s limited number of entries.
On Sunday 9 October 2016, 500 competitors will take on what is being billed as ‘one of the most physically and mentally demanding running races of the year’. For the first time the knockout race is heading to the stunning coastline of Exmoor National Park. The course that aims to test the limits of human endurance will follow a difficult and treacherous route across 22.8 miles of the National Park.
Pacing to prevent elimination
The Red Bull Steeplechase is a unique knockout format race where velocity is not the only key to cross the finish line. All participants will have to pace themselves not only to cover the distance and challenging terrain but to ensure they stay in a race position that prevents them from being eliminated.
The 500 competitors are split into two categories, male and female. All runners in each category are set off together making it a head to head race against the rest of the field where race position is important, not time. Along the course there are four steeples to reach – and at each of the first three, the slowest section of the competitor field will be eliminated. Only 40 runners will reach the final steeple in Lynmouth on the northern edge of Exmoor..
It’s a knockout
500 runners will take the start and at each of the three knockouts only a few will get through to the next stage so position is key during the race. At the first knockout, Trentishoe, 160 male runners and 160 female runners will make it through to the next stage. At the second knockout, Martinhoe, 90 male runners and 90 female runners will make it through and after the third knockout, Lynton, only 20 runners will remain from each category.
www.redbull.co.uk/steeplechase
