The Sunset Trails Relay Series
A Spring series of relay races, taking to the trails before the sun goes down!
Series Details
Following the success of the Starlight Trails Relay Series last winter, the Sunset Trails are another exciting series of off-road relay races, but this time before the sun goes down.
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At each event teams will run 4 legs, of between 2 and 3 miles, but the courses will vary in difficulty.
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The routes will be entirely off-road and use a variety of terrain, including hard-packed paths, woodland trails and grass. They will be well marked and have marshals at key points.
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Team relays are renowned for creating a great atmosphere and being lots of fun for runners of all levels. So, don't delay, start getting your teams together.
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The overall number of teams in each event will be limited to 50, so please register early. Entries on the day will only be accepted if places remain.
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Teams and Prizes
Individual Teams
Teams can be entered in the following categories:
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Male
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Female
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Mixed (at least 2 ladies)
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Prizes will be awarded at each event to the first team in each category.
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Solo Runners
Solo runners cannot take part in the relay but can enter the 'Sunset Lap Challenge', see below,
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Best Performing Team in the Series
There will also be a prize for the Best Performing Team in the whole series for each category. To be eligible a team must be made up of 4 runners at each event, be represented by no more than 6 individuals throughout the series and compete in the same category at each event.
Club Competition
A trophy will be awarded to the Best Performing Club in the series. This will be based on a points system, with the 3 best performing teams across the categories scoring for each club.
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To be eligible to score points teams must be made up of UKA affiliated members of the same running club and all be wearing club attire.
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Jog Derbyshire / Run Together Groups
In recognition of our objective of making our events inclusive for runners at all levels, an additional prize will be awarded to the best performing team from a Jog Derbyshire or other England Athletics 'Run Together' Group at each event. To be eligible teams must be made up of individuals registered with a Jog Derbyshire / Run Together Group.
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Sunset Lap Challenge
There will also be a prize for the fastest lap by an individual male and individual female at each event. This is open to solo runners as well as relay team members. For both, each runners can run up to 2 laps but not consecutive.
On the day
At each event final registration and race number collection will take place between 6:00 and 6:45pm.
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There may be a short walk to the starting point, so please try and arrive in plenty of time as races will start at 7pm sharp.
Entries
Each Event:£16 per team
Full Series: £44 per team
Prices based on UKA/TRA Affiliated Runners paying in advance.
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Unaffiliated: £2 supplement per runner per event
Pay on the day: £4 supplement per team
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Solo runners in 'Sunset Lap Challenge' £4 per attempt (+£2 for unaffiliated runners, +£1 for payment on the day)
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Entry Process
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Team Captain to send the information required in Part 1 of the form to info@peakrunning.co.uk
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Peak Running will confirm your entry and provide payment details
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Team Captain to make payment (if paying in advance)
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Team Captain to bring completed Part 2 of the form to Registration on they day, signed by all team members
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Solo runners just email your name, sex and club (or state unattached) to info@peakrunning.co.uk
Team Composition and Transfers
Team Captains can change their team members or category of team anytime until declaring their finalised team on the day.
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Teams must have a minimum of 2 runners, but individuals may not run consecutive legs.
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At each event runners are not permitted to represent more than one team.
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The minimum age for athletes is 15.
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No dogs are allowed to accompany runners.
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Solo runners may enter the 'Sunset Lap Challenge', and can make 1 or 2 attempts but not on consecutive laps.
Refunds & Transfers
A 75% refund is available up to 14 days prior to each event, in the event of a team withdrawing.
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No refund is payable in the event of individuals withdrawing from a team that remains eligible to compete (i.e. with 3 or 2 runners).
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IIf a team that has paid for the whole series withdraws from an individual event, any refund is minus the £4 series discount.
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Team Captains may transfer their Team to another Captain free of charge provided this is notified to and agreed with Peak Running no less than 72 hours before the event.
Race Permits
Each race will take place in accordance with UK Athletics rules, under Permits issued by the Trail Running Association.
Permit numbers: [applied for]
Trail Running Association
We are very grateful to the Trail Running Association (TRA) for their support with the Starlight Relay Series, and were delighted to be awarded a TRA Grant which contributed towards the cost of event equipment which will be used at these events. For more information on the TRA see www.tra-uk.org
Race Venues
Event #1: Elvaston Castle
The series will kick off in the grounds of Elvaston Castle, situated off the B5010 between Thurston and Borrowash.
Post Code DE72 3EP
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Parking: Available in the main car park off the B5010. Pay & display charges apply.
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Toilets: Public toilets are available close to the car park entrance..
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Registration: Look out for sign posts.
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Start/Finish: Within Elvaston Castle grounds, follow sign posts.
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Race Route: The route is within the perimeter of Elvaston Castle and is mostly on hard-packed trails. It is very flat, so has potential for fast times.
Event #2: Allestree Park
For the second event, we venture over to Allestree Park on the north side of the city. Post Code DE22 2EU
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Parking: Available in the main Allestree Park car park. Please car share if possible.
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Toilets & Changing: Public toilets are available in the park but cannot be guaranteed to be open at all times. There are no specific changing facilities..
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Registration: A gazebo will be set up within the park, to which directions will be given on the night.
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Start/Finish: Adjacent to registration.
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Race Route: The planned route will be the toughest of the series. There will be some hills and there will almost certainly be some mud.
Event #3: Calke Park
For the final event, we move over to South Derbyshire where the Race HQ will be Calke Park. Post Code DE73 7LE
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Parking: Car parking is available in the main car park at Calke Abbey. Parking fees are to be confirmed. Please car share if possible.
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Toilets & Changing: Public toilets are close to the main car park. There are no specific changing facilities..
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Registration: Gazebo adjacent to the car park.
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Start/Finish: Close to the main car park. There will be signs to guide participants there.
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Race Route: The route is completely within Calke Park, with some of it across private land that we have special permission to use. Underfoot there is a combination of purpose made hard-packed trails, woodland tracks and grass, some of which is long and/or uneven. As well as some nice downhill stretches, there are some tough little climbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A number of people in our club want to run but we haven’t sorted out who is in which team yet. Can we reserve places in the meantime?
We are happy for someone to act as coordinator for a club and enter a number of teams under their name. We don’t need to know the finalised team members until the night of each race, although we do need to know who the Team Captains will be 72 hours before.
I would like to run but don’t have a team as yet. Can you help me find a team?
You can take part in the 'Sunset Lap Challenge' as a solo runner. And to find a team, we are happy for you to post in the Peak Running Community Facebook Group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/PeakRunningCommunity/ )
to seek team members. Other Facebook groups that you’re a member of may also be useful too.
Do we need to have 4 people in a team or can 2 people run 2 legs each?
Our only stipulation is that individuals can’t run consecutive legs. Therefore, teams of 2 can compete with the individuals running alternate legs. A 3-person team is also okay, provided the individual running twice doesn’t run 2 legs in a row.
Do all team members need to be from the same club?
No. You wouldn’t be eligible for points in the Club Competition but you could still win on the night or be the best performing team in the series. That said, we’re keen to have plenty of teams made up of people from the same club to make the Club Competition exciting.
Do you have to be a member of a club to run?
No, anyone over 15 can run. We just have to charge a £2 supplement for unaffiliated runners in accordance with UK Athletics Rules.
Will I be running in the dark?
We expect that most teams will have finished by dusk. However, depending on the weather on the day, the light may be fading for some last leg runners. Also, it may be getting dark by the time you leave the venues. We therefore recommend bringing a head-torch.
What is the minimum age to run?
15
What kind of shoes should I wear?
Trail or fell shoes are recommended for all the events. At Elvaston, you are likely to be fine in road shoes if the ground is dry.
We have a mixed team but only 1 lady, can we still take part?
Yes, but you would be categorised as a male team. You need a minimum of 2 ladies to compete in the mixed category.
We’re doing the first event but some of the team cannot commit to the others yet. If we enter them later would we still count in the series?
Yes you can, you just wouldn’t get the £4 series discount. Bear in mind though, that we can’t guarantee a place in the later events if they reach the capacity of 50 teams in their own right. It may also be worth noting that you can change some team members for latter events, but can only use a maximum of 6 individuals across the series to be classified as the same team.
Results
Event 1 - 24th April 2018
Event 2 - 1st May 2018
Event 3 - 8th May 2018