DARKATHLON @ KIELDER - 18th May 2024

46.2

Distance Miles

3928

Ascent Feet

3938

Descent Feet

10

Cut Off Hours

DARKATHLON @ KIELDER

Starting and finishing at Kielder Waterside Park, you will tackle the ultimate Dark Skies challenge. This chalenging duathlon is off road on well maintained trails. You start with a 15 mile, followed by a full 25 mile loop of Kielder Water, finishing off with a nightime 10K run around Bull Crag. The race will take place on Saturday 18th May 2024.

Kielder was awarded gold tier Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark Skies association in December 2013, making it the perfect venue for the ultimate starlit running challenge.

ENTER NOW PRE RACE INFO

Entry includes:-

  • Bespoke Medal
  • Chip Timing by TOTS
  • Instant Online results by TOTS
  • Feed stations – water and sweets, more substantial snacks and drinks on longer events
  • Fully marked and marshalled route
  • Medical Cover
  • Free event parking
  • First male and female, first in age category. Level up for free!
  • Bespoke memento for all runners
  • Digital photography of event and entrants
  • Chance to purchase bespoke event t-shirt

Entries

There will be 250 places available for the race.

Cut Offs

The race must be completed within 10 hours.

Route and Course Markings

The course will be marked and flagged and marshals will be on hand at key points in the race. Please remember that navigating the course is your responsibility.

First Aid

The race checkpoint has first aid equipment for minor injuries. The start/finish area will also have first aid provision inculding a paramedic and an ambulance. Nearest local hospital:- Hexham General Hospital, Corbridge Road, Hexham NE46 1QJ. 0344 811 8111

Awards

All finishers get a bespoke medal and race memento. A race t-shirt is also available as an addditional purchase.

There are also male and female prizes for the categories shown below. Separate awards will be given for solo and team entries.

Senior 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 plus
First Three First finisher First finisher First finisher First finisher

Race Registration/Parking

Kielder Waterside Park Centre,

Kielder Water,

Hexham,

Northumberland,

NE48 1BT

Map for Kielder Waterside Park

Darkathlon @ Kielder - 18th May 2024

  • 10:00 - 11:45Kielder Waterside Park

    Place bikes and equipment in the transition area.

  • 11:00 - 12:30Kielder Waterside Park

    Opens for race registration, pick up race numbers and race merchandise.

  • 13:00 - 13:45Kielder Waterside Park

    Free coach transfer to Dam Wall for start of 15 mile race.

  • 13:50Start Area - Dam Wall

    Race safety briefing for 15 mile run

  • 14:00Start Area - Dam Wall

    15 Mile Race start!

  • 15:50Start Area - Kielder Water

    Race safety briefing for bike only event

  • 16:00Start Area - Kielder Water

    Bike Race start - for those not doing full event!

  • 18:00Kielder Waterside Park

    15 Mile Race Cut off

  • 20:50Start Area - Kielder Water

    Race safety briefing for 10K run

  • 21:00Start Area - Kielder Water

    10K Race start - for those not doing full event!

  • 22:00Kielder Waterside Park

    25 Mile Ride Cut off

  • 21:30Kielder Waterside Park

    Awards Presentation

  • 00:00Kielder Waterside Park

    10K Race/Event Cut off

Darkathlon @ Kielder - Mandatory Kit

  1. Proof of ID (Kit check only)
  2. Whistle
  3. Head torch(with spare batteries)
  4. Survival bag/Foil Blanket
  5. Hat and gloves
  6. Waterproof jacket
  7. Minimum of 500ml water
  8. Personal cup
  9. Cycle helmet to be worn whilst cycling
  10. Emergency food/sport bar
  11. Mobile phone number of the race directors +447734309500 (Tim) +447984307900 (Garry)
  12. Fully charged phone

Darkathlon @ Kielder - Rules

  1. All competitors must be running under their own names and numbers. No swapping of numbers or running in another’s place will be accepted. If you are found to be running in another’s place you will be disqualified.
  2. You must log your number with race marshals at each check point. It is your responsibility to make sure the marshal takes your number.
  3. Any competitor who is deemed unfit to continue by the race directors, marshals or medics will be withdrawn from race. The decision will be FINAL.
  4. Runners must carry all mandatory equipment at all times during the race unless stated otherwise at Race Briefing by the Race Director. If found to be not carrying the required kit at any time, you will be disqualified.
  5. If you decide to retire from the race you must notify a marshal. You must surrender your race number and you will not be allowed to continue.
  6. Unsporting behaviour (cheating) will not be tolerated and result in immediate disqualification. This includes but not limited to, not carrying mandatory kit at all times, taking short cuts, use of PEDs.
  7. We strongly advise against the using of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs i.e Ibuprofen) during the events, as they are proven to cause harm during endurance events. Doing so against this advice is strictly at the competitor’s risk.
  8. All runners take full responsibility for their own navigation during the event.
  9. You must have your bib number visible at all times or easily accessible to show the Check Point team.
  10. If you do not leave an aid station before the cut off time you will not be allowed to continue for safety, cut-off times will be strictly enforced. If you get to the finish line after the final cut off you will unfortunately not be listed as an official finisher and will not be eligible for awards.
  11. Littering will result in immediate disqualification. We must respect the trails at all times. Some of our events take place in SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), and securing permission to host events in these areas is very difficult. If you litter you not only jeopardise the events future, but more importantly you jeopardise the area.
  12. Dogs are NOT allowed to take part in the event. They present a trip hazard to other runners and a risk of upsetting livestock of local land owners.
  13. Earphones/headphones may be used, but MUST be taken off head or out of ears completely at certain points.
    1. When you’re approaching a road crossing
    2. When you’re approaching a checkpoint
    3. If you see a marshal in hi-viz anywhere along the race route
    4. On any section of trail narrow enough that you’re running single file
    5. Speakers are not allowed
    6. If you forget about your earphones, and a marshal signals you to remove them, you must do so immediately. If you try to argue the point about your music being turned off, your earphones may be confiscated from you until the race finish, and you also risk being removed from the race for your own safety, i.e. disqualified.
  14. You do not have a right of way priority over any other users of the course, you must respect other users of the course throughout the duration of the event.
  15. The race has an ARC permit number and will be held under ARC rules. We recommend that you make yourself familiar with ARC rules specific to Trail running: http://www.runningclubs.org.uk/rules

Darkathlon @ Kielder - Travel

Accommdation Options at Kielder

Accommodation options for the Kielder area can be found via this link.

Race Lifts

This year we are using a car sharing website developed by a runner that aims to save you money, and reduce the carbon footprint of the event:

http://RaceLifts.org car sharing

We would be most grateful if EVERYONE coming to the Dark Skies Run race could try out the site (even if you don't expect to car share). It only takes a minute and is completely free to use. As well as saving you petrol money, it will ease the parking headaches for us at the race.

Darkathlon @ Kielder - Course Records
Male Category Year Time
M Ian Veitch 2023 04:12:54
M40 Ian Veitch 2023 04:12:54
M50 Vaughan Godber 2023 05:37:38
M60 TBA TBA TBA
M70 TBA TBA TBA
Female Category Year Time
F Kyra Tweddle 2023 07:09:58
F40 Kyra Tweddle 2023 07:09:58
F50 Victoria Fawcett 2023 08:08:17
F60 TBA TBA TBA
F70 TBA TBA TBA

Darkathlon @ Kielder - Route
Download GPX File Download KML File Detailed Route & Elevation