Big Day Out: Crossing/Extreme/Great Escape

The Crossing – 34 miles – 09:00 Belstone, North Dartmoor

The first pureTRAIL ultra. 34 miles across Dartmoor. North to South.

An aspirational baby ultra. It’s a tip-toe into ultra-distance running. But it’s far from easy...

Experience the wilderness of the High Moor, the beauty of the periphery. Visiting the 4 moorland villages of Belstone (start), Postbridge, Princetown, and South Brent (finish) and includes just 900 metres of ascent.

Crossing EXTREME – 50 miles – 07:00 Belstone, North Dartmoor

We’re excited about this new addition which will take the EXTREME route to just over 50 miles. We’ve added a new twist to The Crossing this year…We’ve extended the route to increase elevation and Tor-yield per mile.

The two extensions are out from Postbridge and Princetown, still following the classic pureTrail Crossing route but with a little extra for those wishing to go that little further. There will be two extra aid stations to assist you.

The Great Escape – 13.1 miles – 11:00am Plume of Feathers Inn, Princetown

Starting from Princetown in the heart of the Moor, the route takes in the last 13 miles of THE CROSSING, with big, wide open spaces.

It’s a downhill route with a few surprisingly technical uphills. The route crosses the head of the Erme Valley and traverses the Erme canyons, with some interesting moorland vistas along the Abbots Way before the long descent into South Brent.

A real taste of Dartmoor trail running.

Can you ‘escape’ from the Moor in the time allowed?


MAPS:

The Crossing and the Crossing EXTREME

Maps 1 to 5 shown below – click the links to view/download PDFs

The Great Escape

Maps for The Great Escape half-marathon route below – click to view/download PDF versions



REGISTRATION


South Brent Village Hall (TQ10 9AQ). Please be aware that parking is limited right next to the hall so expect to park 5 minutes’ walk away and please be considerate and give plenty of room for emergency service vehicles to pass and be aware of access and entry points to people’s houses. Roadside parking is free as is the carpark opposite the hall at the disused railway station but again, spaces are limited. Parking on the road by the hall MUST be on the hall side of the road all the way along.

Timings to register for The Crossing are 06:30 to 07:30 and the bus will leave for Belstone Village Hall (EX20 1RB) at 07:35. For those parking at the start of the race, please leave space for a large coach to turn around, an area will be coned off to allow this. Registration at Belstone Village Hall will be 08:15 to 08:40 and note that toilets facilities are available at the hall. There is a short walk from the hall to the start (9am).

For the Ultra-marathon, The Crossing, a small shoebox size numbered Bag can be left with the coach and will be returned to the finish. Please number your bag according to your race number and on production of the race number at the finish, your bag will be returned to you. Bags will be left at the owner’s risk.

NO baggage transfer facility is available for The Great Escape.

Timings for The Great Escape registration is 09:00 to 10:30 with the bus leaving at 10:35 to Plume of Feathers Pub (PL20 6QQ), the start of the race (and checkpoint/aid station for The Crossing). For those making their own travel arrangements to Princetown, Registration will be in a marquee at the rear of the pub from 11:15 to 11:45.

Please avoid parking in the Plume of Feathers carpark as there is some free roadside parking and there is a fee paying carpark behind the Dartmoor National Park Information centre across the road, towards the prison.

KIT LISTS

Our kit list has been kept to a MINIMUM and can be carried in a ‘bum’ bag. Dartmoor has varied weather conditions and this weekend last year had fog, drizzle and a cold wind although we are hoping for a clear and sunny day.

The Crossing


· 1 litre of water

· Emergency food

· Waterproof jacket

The Great Escape

· 500ml of water

· Emergency food

· Long sleeved top (although a waterproof jacket is recommended)

It is vitally important to shut all gates behind you. Dartmoor is a living landscape. Cattle and sheep are abundant. DO NOT leave gates open for the next runner.

Supporters should keep their dogs under close control at all times. No dogs are allowed to run with their owner in the races due to UK Athletics rules and their Public Liability Insurance, which differs to Park Runs.

Please note that there will be half a dozen qualified first aiders running the route of The Crossing and The Great Escape and they will be identified with hi-visibility jackets attached to their backpack so feel free to ask their advice. Their will also be a first aider based at the finish.


Aid Stations / Checkpoints / Supporting locations



The Crossing

· Hangingstone Hill (Mile 5) water top-up ***

· Postbridge (mile 11) Fully stocked with food and water ^^

· Hexworthy (mile 15.5) water top-up and small bites ^

· Princetown (mile 21) Fully stocked with food and water ^^

· Plym Ford (mile24.5) water top-up **

· Marker Stone (mile 28.5) water top-up and small bites **

· Shipley Bridge (mile 32) Fully stocked with food and water ^

· South Brent (mile 34) Water, tea, coffee and cakes ^^

^^ suitable parking can be found
^ minimal car parking available
** no car parking but a minimum 3.5 mile walk to location
*** no car parking but a minimum 5 mile walk to location!

The Great Escape

· Plym Ford (mile 3.5) water top-up **

· Marker Stone (mile 7.5) water top-up and small bites **

· Shipley Bridge (mile 11) Fully stocked with food and water ^

· South Brent (mile 13.2) Water, tea, coffee and cakes to purchase ^^


CUTOFFS


The Crossing

· 6 hours (3pm) must leave Princetown checkpoint (21 miles)

· 10 hours (7pm) South Brent, the Finish

The Great Escape

· 4 hours (4pm) South Brent, the Finish

Should anyone withdraw from the race you MUST report to a marshal who will assist you.

PLEASE NOTE That at the finish, NO SHOES used for the race should be worn inside the hall or left in a pile outside the entrance door for people to trip over! There will be a separate entrance to the rear for removal of running shoes. Thank you.

THE FINISH

All finishers will receive a medal and can collect a t-shirt if pre-paid (there may be some to purchase on the day).

The first two male and female runners in each race will receive a bespoke trophy and age category winners will receive a bottle of wine.

Free massages to all runners

Leah from Ashe Physiotherapy will provide a light massage free of charge but there may be a queue so please be patient.

Tea and coffees are offered free but a small charge will be made from the selection of snacks and cakes.

We look forward to chatting with as many runners and supporters as possible at the finish.


Good luck to you all.

Mark and Steve
PureTrail.uk

P.S. ‘It’s all runnable’ – Mark Brooks
‘It’s all runnable, except the hill up from Huccaby!’ – Steve Skedgell

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Entry Options

The Crossing (34 miles)
The Crossing Extreme (50 miles)
The Great Escape (13.1 miles)

Refunds

Refunds

Please visit http://www.puretrail.uk for full refund information.


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