Race info and rules

The Course

The course at ContiThunderRun is a great mix of terrain & surface keeping it engaging lap after lap. The 10km lap weaves its way through the grounds of Catton Park taking in twisty trails, technical woodlands, open fields, stone tracks, climbs, descents, and some excellent views… a bit of everything! Check out our previous event videos to get a feel for what it’s all about.

Solo Runners

Solo runners must race on their own for the 24 hours. Soloists can take breaks between laps as required but they must only leave & re-join the course at the designated point after the start/finish arch. Any time off the course will be added to their next lap time when they resume.

Registration

All competitors must sign on with registration before 11:00AM on the morning of the race. You will collect your race number, timing chip and relay baton at this time. These will not be posted out in advance.

IMPORTANT- runners must check that their details are correct & that they are entered into the correct category when they sign on.

If team members are happy for the Team Captain to sign in on their behalf, then they can collect the numbers, chips etc. for the whole team.

Race Numbers

Race numbers must be worn visibly while on course. Please write your emergency contact details on the reverse as well as any medical conditions we should be aware of, any medicines you are taking and if you have any allergies. If a competitor is found on course without their race number, their lap will be discounted from the race.

The Start

All solo runners and one member of each pair and team should line up behind the start arch in preparation of the start at midday Saturday. Runners should self-seed in order of their predicted lap time.

The Baton

The relay baton must be carried by the 'on course' runner of Teams & Pairs at all times. Losing the baton will incur a 5-minute time penalty. Replacement batons can be requested from the commentary box or the timing team.

Team Handover

Runners can only hand over to the next member of their team at the designated changeover area immediately after the start/finish arch.

To make the hand over the runner on course will keep left after the arch to head to the changeover pen and pass the baton to their teammate. Once the baton has been passed on, the new runner starts their lap leaving through the bottom of the changeover pen.

Non-runners are not permitted in the changeover pen. Try to reduce the time spent in the changeover pen by entering it as close to when you expect your teammate to be finishing as reasonably possible.

If the next runner is nowhere to be seen when you finish a lap and come to the changeover pen (eg. they are still asleep in their tent!), you can choose to either go and find them, or start another lap yourself.

If the on-course runner intends to carry on for another lap, they should keep right when they pass under the arch and start the next lap.

Race Timing

Our timing system revolves around transponder chips that all runners must wear on their ankle, or through their laces (NOT on the wrist.) As you pass over the mats at the start/finish arch the system will detect your racing chip and credit you with that lap and time. The clock then starts for the next lap whoever might be doing it. If another member of your team is doing the next lap pass the baton to them, they set off and their lap time will stop when they pass over the timing mats when they return.

Throughout the event, screens will be available displaying lap times and positions. A link to live results online will also be published. If you have any queries regarding your lap times, please report to the timing team immediately, do leave not leave it till later.

Minimum Laps

Each registered runner must complete at least one lap during the 24 hours for the teams score to count. There is no maximum number of laps.

Lights

During hours of darkness all runners on course must carry at least one light with them. The course is not floodlit! Please be familiar with your lights, have confidence in using them and be sure that they have enough charge to see you through to daylight.

The Finish

ContiThunderRun 24hr officially finishes at 12 noon on Sunday. So long as a runner starts a lap before the 24 hours have elapsed that lap will count in their total lap score once completed. Teams can declare at any point (if all team members have run one lap) and their total laps completed will still stand.

The winning team will be the one that completes the most laps in the shortest time. Results will be as number of laps plus time taken to finish after 12PM and might look like this:

1 - Team A 13 laps; 24:02:00

2 - Team B 13 laps; 24:15:00

3 - Team C 12 laps; 23:01:00

Team A wins with 13 laps and a finish time of 12:02PM; Team B come in next with 13 laps finishing at 12:15PM; Team C have less laps so come in third even though they decided to finish at 11:01PM.

Results

Provisional results will be posted online as soon as possible after the race for everyone to review. Should you find any issues you will be able to contact the timing team directly. All queries must be made by 5pm on Wednesday 27th July 2022.

Podium Presentation

The presentation will be conducted as soon as possible after the final runner is back over the line. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in all categories. Special awards will also be handed out to all solo runners that complete more than 100 miles (16+ laps).

Cheating

Thankfully this isn’t a big issue at Thunder Run but none the less, cheating will not be tolerated. Substituting unregistered runners, cutting the course and any other forms of cheating will results in disqualification from the race.

Quiet Time

Between 11pm & 7am please keep the noise to a minimum. Please be considerate to everyone on site. Team captains are responsible for the behaviour of any supporters staying with their teams. If any non-runners are making excessive noise, the teams that they are connected to may be disqualified from the race.

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