Experience Required

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Although there is no formal qualifying criteria for taking part in any of the activities at the COW, we recommend that if you familiarise yourself with the details for each event so you can judge whether you have the fitness and skills to take part.

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Navigation

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The FRACTURED MARATHON

The Fractured Marathon takes places on a well marked and marshalled course, so self navigation is not required.

The COW's BIG CHALLENGE

For the COW's Big Challenge, the courses have been designed to make them relatively straight forward to follow, using well-trodden trails so far as possible. However, other than signs provided by the authorities to highlight rights of way, there will be no way-marking on the course. You are therefore responsible for your own route finding around the course.

Clear step by step route instructions will be made available to participants in each distance, together with gpx files that can be loaded into GPS enabled watches, smartphone apps or other devices. These will be provided well in advance of the race so you can familiarise yourself with them.

You will, however, be expected bring and carry a printed map of your route. This should ideally be an Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale map, or equivalent. 1:50,000 scale is the minimum standard.

Permissions for the event are based on participants using designated routes, which minimises the impact on the delicate landscapes in the area.

You must follow the designated route for your event throughout the event. Deliberate deviations from the route will result in disqualification and will also put the future editions of the event in jeopardy.

The CALKE EXPLORER

As an orienteering event, a key part of the challenge is to navigate yourself between the various checkpoints using a map that will be provided.

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Kit Requirements

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The FRACTURED MARATHON

No specific requirements but we'd recommend off-road shoes if the ground is wet.

The COW'S BIG CHALLENGE

Mandatory requirements are specified for those participating in the longer distances (half marathon and above). See details on the event specific page here.

The CALKE EXPLORER

No specific requirements but we'd recommend off-road shoes if the ground is wet.

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Safety

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We have assessed the health and safety risks associated with the event and have put in place measures to manage these so far as reasonably practicable. However, the nature of long distance running or hiking on trails, means that participants have a higher level of responsibility for their own personal safety and that of others, than they would in a more controlled environment. In the most part this simply means applying common sense and good judgement. However, when fatigued, extra care must be taken to ensure you do not inadvertently put yourself in danger. Details of specific requirements relating to your safety and hazards to be mindful of will be provided in the event guide, which will issued to participants prior to the event.

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Checkpoints and Aid Stations

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All events will be based on the event area in Calke Park, which will serve as the sole aid station for the events.

The COW's Big Challenge and Calke Explorer will have checkpoints on the routes. Full details are currently being finalised.

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Medical Support

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Medical support will be available throughout the event. Their role will be to provide advice and deal with the more significant issues. Minor issues, such as general footcare, dealing with blisters etc., will be your own responsibility, utilising your own first aid kit.

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Support Crews

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You are allowed to have friends and family supporting you around the course. Except in the COW's Big Challenge, they are not permitted to provide you with any items (e.g. food/drink) during the event.

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Support Runners (Pacers)

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Participants are not permitted to have anyone who is not a fellow participant run/walk with them to act as a support runner.

In the FRACTURED MARATHON teams are only permitted to have one team member 'active' at any one time. Additional team members are not permitted to accompany their team mates around the course during the event.

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Drop Bags

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Solo runners in the Fractured Marathon and participants in the COW's Big Challenge may leave bags with spare kit, food etc. in the designated are in the event arena while they complete the course. Items are left at the owners risk though, as the areas may not be supervised at all times.

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Prizes & Finishers Awards

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Full details of prizes and finshers' awards are currently being finalised.

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Permit & Rules

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The feature events will operate in accordance with UK Athletics Rules under a permit issued by the Trail Running Association. Permit number [applied for]

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Terms and Conditions

---

When purchasing an entry to a Peak Running Ltd event you are agreeing to the general terms and conditions specified below, as well as any terms and conditions specific to the event. Our general terms and conditions for our events, can be found at the link at the bottom of this page. These are supplemented with event specific terms and conditions. Fractured Marathon: Event specific terms and condtions for the Fractured Marathon can be found HERE COW's Big Challenge and Calke Explorer: Event specific terms and conditions are as follows: The refund available is 70% of the entry fee recevied by Peak Running. The deadline for cancelling your place and receiving a refund is 15th March 2020. The deadline for transferring your place to another participant is 13th May 2020. This must be done by the original entrant editing their entry on SiEntries.

In the COW's Big Challenge you are permitted to transfer your entry to a different distance at the same event, subject places being available and payment of any difference in entry fee. There will be no refund of the difference if moving to a shorter distance. The deadline for transferring to a longer distance is 13th May 2020. Transferring to a shorter distances are permitted until registration closes on the day of the event.

---

Experience Required

---

Although there is no formal qualifying criteria for taking part in any of the activities at the COW, we recommend that if you familiarise yourself with the details for each event so you can judge whether you have the fitness and skills to take part.

---

Navigation

---

The FRACTURED MARATHON

The Fractured Marathon takes places on a well marked and marshalled course, so self navigation is not required.

The COW's BIG CHALLENGE

For the COW's Big Challenge, the courses have been designed to make them relatively straight forward to follow, using well-trodden trails so far as possible. However, other than signs provided by the authorities to highlight rights of way, there will be no way-marking on the course. You are therefore responsible for your own route finding around the course.

Clear step by step route instructions will be made available to participants in each distance, together with gpx files that can be loaded into GPS enabled watches, smartphone apps or other devices. These will be provided well in advance of the race so you can familiarise yourself with them.

You will, however, be expected bring and carry a printed map of your route. This should ideally be an Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale map, or equivalent. 1:50,000 scale is the minimum standard.

Permissions for the event are based on participants using designated routes, which minimises the impact on the delicate landscapes in the area.

You must follow the designated route for your event throughout the event. Deliberate deviations from the route will result in disqualification and will also put the future editions of the event in jeopardy.

The CALKE EXPLORER

As an orienteering event, a key part of the challenge is to navigate yourself between the various checkpoints using a map that will be provided.

---

Kit Requirements

---

The FRACTURED MARATHON

No specific requirements but we'd recommend off-road shoes if the ground is wet.

The COW'S BIG CHALLENGE

Mandatory requirements are specified for those participating in the longer distances (half marathon and above). See details on the event specific page here.

The CALKE EXPLORER

No specific requirements but we'd recommend off-road shoes if the ground is wet.

---

Safety

---

We have assessed the health and safety risks associated with the event and have put in place measures to manage these so far as reasonably practicable. However, the nature of long distance running or hiking on trails, means that participants have a higher level of responsibility for their own personal safety and that of others, than they would in a more controlled environment. In the most part this simply means applying common sense and good judgement. However, when fatigued, extra care must be taken to ensure you do not inadvertently put yourself in danger. Details of specific requirements relating to your safety and hazards to be mindful of will be provided in the event guide, which will issued to participants prior to the event.

---

Checkpoints and Aid Stations

---

All events will be based on the event area in Calke Park, which will serve as the sole aid station for the events.

The COW's Big Challenge and Calke Explorer will have checkpoints on the routes. Full details are currently being finalised.

---

Medical Support

---

Medical support will be available throughout the event. Their role will be to provide advice and deal with the more significant issues. Minor issues, such as general footcare, dealing with blisters etc., will be your own responsibility, utilising your own first aid kit.

---

Support Crews

---

You are allowed to have friends and family supporting you around the course. Except in the COW's Big Challenge, they are not permitted to provide you with any items (e.g. food/drink) during the event.

---

Support Runners (Pacers)

---

Participants are not permitted to have anyone who is not a fellow participant run/walk with them to act as a support runner.

In the FRACTURED MARATHON teams are only permitted to have one team member 'active' at any one time. Additional team members are not permitted to accompany their team mates around the course during the event.

---

Drop Bags

---

Solo runners in the Fractured Marathon and participants in the COW's Big Challenge may leave bags with spare kit, food etc. in the designated are in the event arena while they complete the course. Items are left at the owners risk though, as the areas may not be supervised at all times.

---

Prizes & Finishers Awards

---

Full details of prizes and finshers' awards are currently being finalised.

---

Permit & Rules

---

The feature events will operate in accordance with UK Athletics Rules under a permit issued by the Trail Running Association. Permit number [applied for]

---

Terms and Conditions

---

When purchasing an entry to a Peak Running Ltd event you are agreeing to the general terms and conditions specified below, as well as any terms and conditions specific to the event. Our general terms and conditions for our events, can be found at the link at the bottom of this page. These are supplemented with event specific terms and conditions. Fractured Marathon: Event specific terms and condtions for the Fractured Marathon can be found HERE COW's Big Challenge and Calke Explorer: Event specific terms and conditions are as follows: The refund available is 70% of the entry fee recevied by Peak Running. The deadline for cancelling your place and receiving a refund is 15th March 2020. The deadline for transferring your place to another participant is 13th May 2020. This must be done by the original entrant editing their entry on SiEntries.

In the COW's Big Challenge you are permitted to transfer your entry to a different distance at the same event, subject places being available and payment of any difference in entry fee. There will be no refund of the difference if moving to a shorter distance. The deadline for transferring to a longer distance is 13th May 2020. Transferring to a shorter distances are permitted until registration closes on the day of the event.

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Overview

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Route details (where applicable) are shown within the details on the page for each specific event.

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Distances

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The distances for an event of this nature cannot be measured completely accurately due to the nature of the terrain and the obstacles that you will encounter.

We have measured them using a combination of mapping software and gps enabled devices and taken care to ensure that they are at least the advertised distance; as we know most participants would be disappointed to be short changed with the distance.

You can therefore expect a variation of up to around 5% above the advertised distances.

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Are there any age limits?

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Age limits are as follow. Fractured Marathon 18 for solo runners 16 for team members in team category, those under 17 can run a maximum of 2 laps though. COW's Big Challenge 20 for Ultra 18 for Marathon and Half Marathon 16 for Calf 6 14 for Calf 3 Younger children can run/walk with parent/guardian in Calf 3 but must be accompanied at all times. Calke Explorer 16 Younger children can run/walk with parent/guardian on the short/family course but must be accompanied at all times. The parent/guardian must be 18+.

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Can I run with a dog?

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Sorry, you are not allowed to compete as a competitive runner with a dog as it's not permitted under UKA/TRA rules.

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Can I use trekking pole?

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Yes but not in the Fractured Marathon

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What happens if I retire?

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If you decide to retire you must do so at the event arena in Calke Park if at all possible and inform the event crew of your decision. If you are forced to retire while out on one of the courses, you must contact the organisers immeidately. Details of the process for doing this will be provided in the Event Guide prior to the event.

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Are ITRA / UTMB points available?

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The ultra distance in the COW's Big Challenge is currently under evaluation for points.

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