5th May 2012

The Malvern Hills Ultra is a test of endurance with some navigational skill. Entrants can choose between the 53 mile option and the 83 mile option. The total ascent is over 4,000 ft.

The race is open to runners and walkers and relay teams. Trophy Categories consist for the individual winner’s for men and women, veteran men and women, teams of three and a unique relay team event where team members just run between checkpoints.

Checkpoints are a minimum of 6 miles and a maximum of 12 miles apart.Completion of the Malvern Hills Ultra 53 mile race allows two qualifying points forUltra-Trail du Mont Blanc Race. The 83 mile race gives you three qualifying points.

Both races start at Grade 1 listed Holt Castle, heading through Top Barn Farm following the Severn Way signs towards Worcester. The Severn Way takes you through Grimley and onto a lovely meandering path along the River Severn. Through Worcester and into Upton on Severn the route moves across to the foot of the Malvern Hills. At this point competitors will have already done a marathon distance and will be faced with the daunting yet beautifully spectacular scenery of the Malvern Hills. This is the most challenging part of the course but also the most rewarding as competitors experience some breathtaking views. Conquering the Worcestershire Beacon the route touches the River Teme before heading directly home to Holt Castle.

The 83 mile route extends south beyond Tewkesbury on the Severn Way and then connects to the Three Choirs Way heading north towards the Worcestershire Way and coming in north towards Bewdley on the Worcestershire Way and returns south to Holt Castle on the Severn Way.The Race Start time for the 53 mile race is 9.00am on Saturday 7th May 2011, signing in and checks open at 7.00 am inside Holt Castle Main Hall. The Race start time for the 83 mile race and walkers of the 53 mile race is 6.00am on Saturday 7th May 2011, with signing in and checks on Friday 6th May between 7.00pm and 9.00pm or on the day at 5.00am.

Food: for the 2011 race the food at the finish was soup, various pasta meals, unlimited drinks hot and cold, the 2012 race will be on a similar basis. Check points will have unlimited water and some nutrition; CP1 just water. CP2, CP3 & CP4 water & orange squash together with a selection of homemade cakes, flapjack, malt loaf, bananas , fig rolls and savoury items. CP5 the same as CP3-4 plus peanut butter sandwiches and cold pasta. CP6 CP7 as CP3-4. CP8 will serve soup, hot or cold pasta and rice pudding. CP9 will have Coca Cola & Chocolate Bars. Under no circumstances is litter to be left along the route.

Camping:Pre & post race camping is available free of charge at Holt Castle for competitors.Finishers will receive an official MHU medal and a MHU T-Shirt.

Winning Relay Team Bruce Moore 52 Mile Winner 2010 Peter Little Veteran Winner 2010 83-Mile Race Winner Robert Treadwell Team Winners 2010

The 53 mile event options:

1. Individual entries are £45.00 per person
2. Team Relay entries (min 4 2, max 6 people) are £30.00 per person.
3. Raise Money for St. Richard’s Hospiceand go free.

Checkpoint details and maps (available to registered contestants only)

 

The 83 mile event options:

1. Individual entries are £65.00 per person
2. Team Relay entries (min 4, max 10 people) are £45.00 per person.
3. Corporate Relay Team entries (max 6 people) are £900.00 per team (50% goes to St. Richard’s Hospice)

Checkpoint details and maps (available to registered contestants only)

Malvern Hills Ultra Rules

The Malvern Hills Ultra commences at Top Barn Activity Centre in Holt Heath and runs along the Severn Way through Worcester into Upton on Severn. Crossing the bridge at Upton the route reaches the foot of the Malvern Hills, including total ascent of over 4,000 ft, the journey concludes back at Top Barn Activity Centre. The course is very challenging and for competitors own safety and fairness the following rules must be adhered to. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from this and future events.

The Event

The Malvern Hills Ultra (MHU) is organised by Ultra Running Limited and is open to runners, walkers, teams of three or more, and relay teams of maximum six. All entrants must be 18 years of age or over at the start of the race. Each competitor must ensure that they carry with them all of their individual requirements needed to complete the race.

Every entrant must confirm that they have read these rules and other event information and therefore understand the nature of the event and that participation is at their own risk.

Race Entries

Competitors must register at Holt Castle at least one hour before the start of the race and present their kit for examination on request.

Each participant will be given a race number which must be clearly attached by safety pins, one to the back and one to the front chest. If this is not clearly visible you may be delayed at checkpoints.

All Teams must have pre-registered before the day and consist of at least three competitors who will also count as individual competitors amongst the rankings. For a Full Distance Team to successfully complete the race, a minimum of three members of that Team must finish. Relay team members in categories 2, 3 or 4 and more; all originally designated members of a team must complete the leg they have chosen, and the following team member must not start the race until the person they are handing over from has arrived at that CP.

Competitors must be self sufficient, and carry the following mandatory items:

1. Backpack or equivalent
2. Head Torch with spare batteries
3. Ordnance Survey Map 150
4. Compass or GPS device
5. Whistle
6. Mobile phone
7. Emergency food pack consisting of a two chocolate bars, Mars or similar
8. First Aid Kit

Checkpoints and Water Stations

The MHU should be viewed as a totally self sufficient race with the exception of water supply. Water stations are located at all checkpoints at pre-determined points along the race.

Competitors must go through all check points and it is their sole responsibility to ensure that the check point attendant has recorded their race number; failure to do so at any check point will mean the competitor has failed to complete the race and will be disqualified.

Any competitor found to not follow the pre determined race route will be disqualified.

Competitor Retirement

If any competitor has to retire for whatever reason they must contact the race organisers immediately, either by advising a checkpoint attendant or by telephoning the emergency number which will be written on the race numbers of each competitor.

Time Restraints

The MHU consists of 52 miles and 83 miles of challenging track with total ascent exceeding 4,000 ft. The organisers want to give every competitor the opportunity of completing the race and will, where reasonable practicable, allow generous opening times of CP Stations; the allowance should be within the ability of a walker at 3.5 miles per hour.

Accommodation

MHU competitors will be provided by prior arrangement free use of tenting facilities the night before the race and on completion of their race. On site toilet and shower facilities are available courtesy of Holt Castle who are kindly allowing MHU the use of theses facilities for this event. It is requested that these facilities are respected and all litter etc is removed by the responsible competitor.

The organisers are more than happy to source alternative accommodation such as B&B or hotel, subject to availability and cost. This service is provided also for any family member or supporter who wishes to attend the event.

Registration & Entry Fees

 

The 52 mile event options:

1. Individual entries are £45.00 per person
2. Team Relay entries (min 4, max 6 people) are £30.00 per person.
3. Corporate Relay Team entries (max 6 people) are £780.00 per team

The 83 mile event options:

1. Individual entries are £65.00 per person
2. Team Relay entries (min 4, max 10 people) are £45.00 per person.
3. Corporate Relay Team entries (max 6 people) are £900.00 per team

To complete entry into the Malvern Hills Ultra the applicant must submit the following documents:

1. Online registration form
2. Full payment (see above) payable to ‘Ultra Running Limited’
   Optional:
3. Emailed photograph of competitor which may be uplifted onto the site for promotional reasons.
4. Brief description of your reasons for doing the MHU event which may be uplifted onto the site for promotional reasons.

Optional:

1. emailed photograph of competitor which may be uplifted onto the site for promotional reasons.
2. Brief description of your reasons for doing the MHU event which may be uplifted onto the site for promotional reasons.

Cancellation

In the event of cancellation of the race, Ultra Running Ltd. undertakes to refund payments received, less any out of pocket expenses which are determined at 25%. Cancellations within four weeks of the event will not receive a refund but at the discretion of the organisers may be transferred to the following years race.

Photo coverage

Ultra Running Ltd. reserves all exclusive rights for photo coverage of the MHU. Participants agree that Ultra Running Limited may use exclusively their individual or collective names and pictures for anything related directly or indirectly to their participation in this event.

Finisher Medals & Trophies

All finishers will receive a MHU 2010 medal and a T-Shirt.

Men’s individual trophy for both 52 & 83 mile races
Ladies individual trophy for both 52 & 83 mile races
Men’s veteran trophy for both 52 & 83 mile races
Ladies veteran trophy for both 52 & 83 mile races
Team trophy for both 52 & 83 mile races
Relay Team trophies for categories 2, 3 & 4 or more in the 52 mile event

Men’s, Ladies & Veterans winners will receive free entry into next year’s event.

The organisers reserve the right to change or amend any part of the event.