Providing a challenge for seasoned ultra runners & a great stepping stone for those looking to go further.

The 100k & 50k Foxton Hound Ultras take runners on a journey through the beautiful countryside and villages that surround Market Harborough as they traverse the Harborough Round long distance footpath through Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

Race information

Both races offer a challenge for seasoned ultra runners, as well as providing great stepping stones for those looking to go beyond marathon distance, 50k, or 50 miles, towards longer distances in the future.

The routes have some fantastic views, as well as places of historical and cultural interest, including Houghton on the Hill, West Haddon, Coton and Stoke Albany as well as visiting Foxton Locks, the Naseby Battle Field, and passing through the Kelmarsh Tunnel on the Brampton Valley Way.

Both races are licensed by the TRA and will be held under UKA rules: TRA Race Licence

Minimum age for entry is 20 years old on race day only.

The race cut-off time is 18 hours for the 100k, and there will be progressive cut-off times from Checkpoint 3 onwards. Details on the location of checkpoints and cut-off times can be viewed/downloaded here.

Please note: No crews or spectators are permitted in Cottesbrooke village (7.5k – both routes) or at the Water Station in Elkington (44.8k, 50k route).

Pacers are permitted on the 100k route only from Checkpoint 5 (Queens Head, Billesdon – 62.1k/38.6m).

The race cut-off time for the 50k is 12 hours at the finish; there are no checkpoint cut-offs.

When entering the 50k race you will be asked to indicate whether you predict that you will finish sub 6h 30m or 6h 30m+. This is so that we can allocate you into one of two waves which we will be introducing for the first time in 2027 to relieve congestion on course in the early stages of the race.

Entries, and transfer of entries, will close 7-days before the event.

Start time/location

Registration will be open from 05:45.

The 100k race will start at 07:00. The 50k race will start at 08:00 (Wave 1) and 08:15 (Wave 2).

Race HQ, the start and finish is located at Winwick Hall, Winwick, Northants. NN6 7PD.

The routes

Both routes enjoy some decent elevation, but there’s some lovely downhills as well to compensate! You can view the routes, and download the GPX files, below.

The routes intersect with, and/or uses parts of, the following long-distance footpaths: The Jurassic Way, The Leicestershire Round, The Macmillan Way, The Midshires Way, The Richard the Third Trail, and The Uppingham Round.

Navigation

Both routes follow many of the long distance footpaths which make up the Harborough Round. There are GPX files available for you to download onto your watch/navigation device:

50k: Download GPX (right click, save link as)

100k: Download GPX (right click, save link as)

For those who prefer written instructions, these are available for both routes. (50k / 100k).

Ultimately, while both routes will be well-marked with marker ribbons/arrows, we expect runners to have put themselves in the best position to self-navigate the route. There is always a chance of the marker ribbons/arrows being removed/tampered with, so do not rely solely on the course markings to get you round.

Tracking & timing

Tracking and timing will be provided by Open Tracking. You will be given your tracker at registration. This will be taped to a strap on your hydration vest or bag, so please ensure you bring your hydration vest/bag to registration so that this can be undertaken. The trackers are lightweight and are just a bit bigger than a matchbox.

The tracking link to share with your friends and family will be provided in the Race Pack and will also be shared on our Facebook page and website the week before the event.

Please ensure that when you finish your race, you return your tracker to a member of the Race Harborough Team before heading home.

Recces

Free guided race recces.

We know that entering a race and not being familiar with the route can be daunting! We also know that recceing a route on your own with the fear of getting lost is something that can cause a little stress!

For those reasons (as well as the opportunity to enjoy a good chatty run!) we’ll be holding a series of recces for this event.

The aims of the recces are to:

– Allow those that are entered to have confidence in the route

– Offer those that are not entered the opportunity to see how fabulous the routes are

– Build a strong community around our events

…Best of all…it’s FREE!

All that we ask is that you let us know which recces you would like to join. You can sign up using this link.

We’ll also post information on any planned recces on our Facebook and Instagram pages, so be sure to follow us for the latest updates.

On-course support

As with all Race Harborough events, there will be professional first aid on hand at the start and finish with the ability to access runners on the course. Race Harborough volunteers will also be on-course to provide hydration and nutrition at 7 checkpoints/aid stations around the course (the 50k route includes 3 checkpoints/aid stations). Hot food and drinks will be available at Checkpoint 4 (Hallaton) and Checkpoint 7 (Sibbertoft) on the 100k course.

All aid stations will contain a mix of fruit, crackers, crisps, biscuits, sweets/chocolate, Tailwind, water and Coke, with options for anyone who is vegetarian/vegan. Wraps/sandwiches will be available at a number of the aid stations and hot pasta will be served at Checkpoint 4, with soup at Checkpoint 7. Hot drinks will also be available at these two checkpoints.

You are, of course, welcome to have your own support on race day. Please thoroughly read our Foxton Hound Ultra Spectator Guide, and share this with any friends or family you may have joining you as supporters, crew or pacers on the course.

Kit

Trail shoes are advisable as there will be a mix of terrain throughout. In terms of mandatory kit, the following must be carried:

Full charged mobile phone including the numbers of the Race Director and Race Medic

Water bottle/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre

Survival blanket

Head torch (with spare batteries) – essential for passing through the Kelmarsh Tunnel

Waterproof jacket

Whistle

Long sleeved base layer or fleece top

Our races are cupless, so you will be required to bring your own cup

Reflective top/bands (100k only)

Hat and gloves (100k only)

Prizes

There will be trophies for top 3 male and female finishers in both races, and all finishers will receive a specially commissioned event medal.

Free race photos!

As with all Race Harborough events – you don’t pay for your race pics! Free digital downloads of your race are available to download soon after the race finishes and we’ll announce their availability on our Facebook page.

Charity

For 2027, the main focus of our charity support will continue to be the Jubilee Foodbank, Market Harborough, and the Weston Favell Centre Foodbank, Northampton. Everyone who enters a Race Harborough event in 2027 will be given the opportunity to make a donation to support these good causes and, we hope, our event community will rise to the challenge and help make a difference to those that need it most.

Latest updates

For the latest updates about this and other Race Harborough events, please Like & Follow the Race Harborough Facebook page.

Course Records

50k – 3:36:26 Joe Farrelly (2025) and Lynne Nicholls 4:25:40 (2025)

100k – 10:10:23 Ben Warren (2026) and Sophie May 12:00:11 (2025)

Description supplied by the event organiser.