Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge
Info: New entries for this event closed on Sunday 26th September 2021.
| Solo (per person) | £18.00 | |
| Pair (per team) | £36.00 |
The Event
The Hardrock Challenge is an alternative marathon!
The Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge is a 26 mile Duathlon which takes place entirely in Dalbeattie Forest, Dumfries and Galloway, SW Scotland. The course consists of a challenging 10 mile run held on rough forest roads and a 16 mile MTB section, which follows the whole 7stanes Red Grade Trail. The 10 mile run is tougher than an equivalent road run. The 16 mile bike section is over the toughest of the 7 Stanes red routes. The real challenge is in combining both disciplines. We respectfully ask that entrants have a realistic expectation of their time. Please do not enter on a whim unless you are a genetically gifted natural athlete? For most a fair degree of FITNESS and TRAINING will be required.
The event start, bike change over and finish will be at the Richorn Trailhead Car Park, part of the 7stanes Mountain Bike Trails. Run and bike routes will be signed and marshaled, supported by radio coverage and mobile first aid and rescue units.
We cannot consolidate times, clear the trailhead, secure the trailer and get to the prize-giving until all competitors have been accounted for. Many entrants travel a considerable distance, so we have to be fair to them as well as the marshals and other volunteers who spend a lot of time out in the forest. Therefore we have to implement a cut-off time to allow the day to progress as planned, as nearly all similar events do. This will inevitably impact on the Bike section and most likely on individuals.
Anyone unlikely to finish in under 4 1/4 hours (15.15 hours) will have to be withdrawn and returned to the trailhead!!! Realistically this means that everyone must be at "Jacob`s Ladder" (just over 10 miles on bike) by 14.30hours. They will be offered a lift back on the quad bike or make their own way in at own risk with no time recorded. Anyone who declines the lift back to the trailhead will have to be charged £25 for non-return of the chip. All finishers must return their chip as soon as they finish for time recording. No chip means no recorded time. Please read and understand the foregoing information, as we do not want to have to do this but time scales can only be stretched so far.
Also, there have been enquiries about electric bikes. Only conventional bikes will be accepted.
Event Facilities
Where the government guideline allow the trailhead area facilities will include: car parking in nearby field, at a charge of £2, hot showers-small charge, an excellent catering van and another cafe nearby. Then there is 'Mac the Voice', our professional MC, keeping everyone at the trailhead informed and entertained.
Event Access and Parking changes
These changes are permanent and are required by the landowners to respect the occupiers of the “Dalbeattie Forest Lodges”, which are hired out at considerable expense!
The big change is that no vehicle or foot traffic will be permitted on the road past the chalets! The two fields will still be used for parking, but access to the trailhead will be via the field on the right, through the metal gate to the hardstanding area!
This means more vehicle access now has to come through the trailhead and gate beside the toilet block! To increase safe vehicle movement much of the support infrastructure will also need to move into the extended hardstanding area!
There will be extra signage and marshalling to support this vital change!
We ask everyone to comply with these arrangements as the landowners have made it clear that the future of the event could be compromised if these are not respected!!!
The Organisers
This event is organised by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, the Hardrock Challenge Team, part of Dalbeattie Community Initiative.
Entry Fee
£18.00 per individual, £36 per team
(A team consists of 1 runner and 1 biker)
Entrants must be 16 and over.
Entries on the day are not accepted.
Registration opens at 9am and closes at 10.30am. The race starts at 11.00. Bikes MUST be racked before the race commences at 11am.
Refund policy
In the event you (participant) would like to cancel your entry fees will be refunded as follows: 75% refund will be given if cancellation is more than 1 month prior to the race date (less SI fees), within 1 month to 14 days prior to race date 50% refund (less any SI fees), within 2 weeks prior to race date – no refund. In the event we (the organiser) has to cancel the event you will be contacted via email and a refund will be offered.
View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.
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