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Fact Sheet

An A-Z of stuff you need to know about the Mad March Mare
Hexham Racecourse
29th February 2020
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First, the obvious . . . there are three givens:

01

1. You're going to get muddy!

You will get wet and muddy so it's probably not a good idea to wear those brand new, white trainers, unless you really want to!! We cannot be held responsible for the mess they will get in!! Trainers with good grips are definitely recommended. Just think about the worst walk/run you have encountered and then choose your footwear.
Lightweight clothing is definitely recommended. With it being a March event, you may want to consider keeping as much skin covered as possible, and don't forget to bring a change of clothing for afterwards!

2. You'll need to overcome some serious obstacles!

Whether they are man made or natural, each obstacle will be a challenge, so prepare your body for some hard work!
Our course has been designed with the support of Ex Royal Marine personnel. Each obstacle will be manned by experienced marshals who will be in continual communication with event control. Experienced paramedics will be located at prominent locations around the course.

3. You win if you can just finish!

If there’s something you really can’t do – skip it. There will be an event warm up, courtesy of SS Fitness. We strongly recommend that you attend the pre-event warm up as a correct warm up is essential to prevent muscle and ligament injuries.

Then, the not-so obvious Answers to common questions

02

Shoes. You will get wet and muddy and have to endure some fairly severe obstacles throughout the 10km course so we would ask you to consider not bringing brand new, white trainers, unless you really want to!! We cannot be held responsible for the mess they will get in!! Trainers with good grips are definitely recommended. Just think about the worst walk/run you have encountered and then choose your footwear.
Clothing Lightweight clothing is definitely recommended. With it being a March event, you may want to consider keeping as much skin covered as possible. We would recommend this due to the obstacles and exposure to the elements, and don't forget to bring a change of clothing for afterwards!
Gloves We would recommend gloves. There will be lots of climbing, crawling, ropes involved so gloves will give you some protection. Be sure to grab tough, thick ones to prevent burns from the ropes and splinters from the walls.

Our event is a 10k of undulating terrain that will be the ultimate test of both stamina and strength for an early season test of fitness. You can decide on the day if you want to do just part of it or complete the full 10k distance. We expect it to be so enjoyable and challenging that most will complete it!

The entry options are: Individual, Team and Corporate. Payment Processing Fees are included in the price. All entries will receive a T-Shirt, Finishers Medal, Electronic Chip Timing, Drink, Snack Bar, possibly the best or worst day of your life! Book early to take advantage of early bird discounts. Please email [email protected] for all enquiries.

North Tyne Search & Rescue, and Salus will be covering all medical eventualities on the day of the event In addition, Paramedics with four wheeled drive response vehicles will be in attendance.

You will have extensive use of the facilities at Hexham Racecourse. If you want to grab a hot or cold drink, the racecourse bars will be open for you. Supporters are free to use these facilitiestoo, throughout the event. When you finish, why not join them and reminisce about your heroic performance!! Hot and cold food will also be available. We will provide all participants with snacks when you finish, but why not stay a bit longer? You will have burnt off plenty of calories!! Stay and enjoy the fantastic catering that will be provided.

Complete slackers need not apply! You don’t have to be an experienced distance runner or gym fanatic but we recommend that you be in good physical condition and are running regularly. Most importantly you will need strong mental endurance to complete the obstacle course and overcome the ultimate challenge!

There is a supervised kit storage area if you would like to bring along a change of clothing. Please note that the event organisers cannot be held responsible for any losses and we recommend you do not bring valuables.

You can find a lot information about the location, including maps, directions, transportation and accommodation on the Hexham racecourse website. Click HERE to visit the website. There is also some useful information in the "EVENT DETAILS" section of this website

The minimum age of entry for the Mad March Mare is 18yrs

With this exceptional location and the enthusiasm and support of Hexham Racecourse, we can offer a unique range of obstacles that will test your limits! Whether they are man made or natural, each obstacle will be a challenge! The rolling landscape of the racecourse will be a key obstacle in itself, and will make the individual obstacles that much tougher. Our course has been designed with the support of Ex Royal Marine personnel. Each obstacle will be manned by experienced marshals who will be in continual communication with event control. Experienced paramedics will be located at prominent locations around the course. If you require assistance, contact the nearest marshal who will take control of the situation.

There is ample free parking at the course and disabled parking spaces. If you required further details please contact the organisers.

We will have a professional photographer cruising the course, so keep smiling. Photographs will be on sale shortly after the race.

Please click here to visit the prices page

Race Packs including, electronic timing chips will be available for collection from registration on race day. Timing chips should be attached to your shoe. Instructions will be provided.

We will be able to offer you extensive use of the facilities at Hexham Racecourse. If you want to grab a hot or cold drink we will have plenty of the racecourse bars open for you. Supporters are free to use these facilities throughout the event. When you finish why not join them and reminisce about your heroic performance!! Hot and cold food will also be available. We will provide all participants with snacks when you finish but why not stay a bit longer? You will have burnt off plenty of calories!! Stay and enjoy the fantastic catering that will be provided.

Unfortunately, as with any sporting event, our terms and conditions state that we do not offer a refund. This is due to the fact that when you book, we produce your race packs, timing chips, goodie bags, medals, wrist bands, t-shirts etc, which are specific to you. However, you can make a last minute substitution, if you can find someone to take your place you can give your race pack to them. All they will need to do is complete a substitute form (Click here for the form ) and bring a copy of the confirmation email on the day. Please ensure this confirmation email is handed in at registration, as it is vital that we have the correct details for all competitors for health and safety reasons.

Course completion times will be posted on this web site within 24hrs after the race.

None of the obstacles are compulsory. We encourage you to try every obstacle but if there is something that you feel unable to do, then you can simply walk around. The choice is yours. There will be a mandatory safety briefing and warm up for each wave. You must be at the start line 10 minutes before your wave is due to start. You will be reminded about this during registration. Anybody that does not attend the safety briefing will be withdrawn from the event, at the discretion of the organisers.

Wash down facilities will be available. Bring your own towel and a change of clothes and plenty of money to spend in the bar once you've warmed yourself up!

All spectators wishing to support their friends and family are encouraged to come along and cheer them on through the Mad March Mare. Even if weather conditions are poor and you don't wish to brave the elements, Hexham racecourse provides great viewing facilities where you can keep warm and enjoy a soothing beverage or some fantastic food.

Start times depend upon your ability. Start times will be in waves of 100 people with 20 minute intervals between each wave. We want to ensure that queuing is kept to a minimum so please enter the category you feel best fits your ability:
Thoroughbreds (elite / fast pace) will go at the beginning of the day starting at 9:30 am. You should be able to complete the 10km course in a time around the 1 hour mark but no slower than 1hr 30minutes.
Ponies (average, out to have a good time) will go next. Start times to be confirmed, depending on numbers. You should be able to complete the 10km course in 1hr 31minutes and no slower than 2hrs.
Cart Horses (those who may struggle but just want to get round) will go last. Start times to be confirmed depending on numbers. The last wave will be 2pm. You should be fit enough to complete the course but no quicker than 2hrs.
For everybody taking part: You must arrive at registration 40 MINUTES BEFORE YOU ARE DUE TO TAKE PART. This will ensure that you have time to register, get changed, attend the Mandatory Health and Safety briefing, and warm up.

Why not join our team as one of our Event Support personnel? That way, you will be one of the most important people at our event, and without you we can’t deliver the Mad March Mare to the high quality we want.
If you agree to join our team, you will receive the following:
  • A comprehensive pre event briefing.
  • Event support jacket.
  • Refreshments to keep you going during the day.
  • Post event opportunity to tackle the Mad March Mare course if you want to, free of charge.
If you want to join our team and help us create an amazing day for the participants then please see our " Volunteer page

You can enter a team with a minimum of 5 people → see the prices page.
An organiser can enter everyone all in one go, but please note that this is quite a lot of work on your part as you will need the following information for each entry: Name, address, telephone number, email, date of birth, emergency contact name and phone number, medical conditions and tee shirt size.

Your Tee shirt was ordered specifically in the size you requested during your registration process. If you have ordered the wrong size T-Shirt, please email [email protected] no later than eight weeks prior to event day in order to change your size. Should you decide to change your tee shirt size on event day, then when you collect your race pack, you will need to pay £9.99, and we will order you a new one and get it posted out to you after the event.

Read our full terms and conditions → HERE. Read our general disclaimer → HERE

An electronic timing system will be in place for the event. You will receive a text message as you cross the finish line with your personal time, and you can view the entire event times in the "Results and Pics" section of this website.

To prepare yourself for the upcoming event:
  • Follow the programmes designed by our fitness consultant. Click here for an 8 week training programme.

There will be an event warm up, courtesy of SS Fitness. We strongly recommend that you attend the pre-event warm up as a correct warm up is essential to prevent muscle and ligament injuries.