Run through the amazing Rathfinny Wine Estate in our series of events. Rathfinny Wine Estate is the first B Corp registered vineyard in the UK. The route will guide you through the beautiful vines via hilly trails and cambers with views of the South Downs National Park.
The Rathfinny Run is on 21st April 2024 which is a UK Athletics licensed event. There are 2 distances around a hilly loop within the vineyard. You have the option of entering the single loop (10.7km) or double loop (21.4km Half Marathon).
ON RACE DAY
Race Location: The Tasting Rooms, Rathfinny Wine Estate, Alfriston, Polegate, BN26 5TU
Race HQ: Race HQ will be located at the start/finish point of the race, near the Tasting Rooms. Please follow the signs to the car park.
Car Parking
There are parking spaces at Rathfinny near the Cellar Rooms and Tasting Rooms for runners only.
What3words location pill.lushly.strikers
Marshals will direct all cars into the car parking area, which will be open for arrivals from 08:30am. Please allow plenty of time to park and join the race in good time. Car Parking is free for cars with 2 or more runners as per our car sharing criteria.
There will be a charge of £10 for each car with single runner occupancy. This charge will be donated to Wolo Foundation.
Refreshments
The Rathfinny refreshment trailer ‘The Hut’ will be open from 08:30am providing a selection of hot and cold drinks and breakfast rolls.
Post Race Food Orders
There will be a post race food option available from The Flint Barn restaurant where all racers will receive a discounted glass of Rathfinny sparkling wine at the end of the race. If you are interested in ordering the post race meal, please could we ask you to fill out the online form here.
This is to help prepare the right quantity and reduce food waste.
Facilities: There are basic changing facilities on site for female runners only. Please arrive ready to run.
Bag Drop: You are welcome to leave your bag at the start, however this is done at your own risk and discretion. Drop bags will need to be clearly labelled with your race number and name.
RACE START TIMES
Double Loop (Half Marathon). 10:15am
Single Loop (10k) 10:45am
GRAB A SHUTTLE BUS - Reduce you carbon footprint.
To help us reduce our environmental impact, we will be organising free shuttle buses for runners only. There will be 2 different pick up times at each station to get you to the venue and start line in time for each distance.
These buses will be running from Berwick and Seaford stations to enable runners coming from both sides of the county to get to the race in a carbon neutral way.
If you are interested in registering for this service, then please confirm your space here:
THE WOLO FOUNDATION
The Rathfinny run raises money for the good work of the WOLO Foundation by offering 30 free spaces to runners who wish to raise a minimum of £300 in sponsorship for WOLO.
The Wolo Foundation helps families living in Sussex through their cancer journeys. They support them by offering practical help and support to make their day-to-day lives easier. They work with local businesses and communities to offer families a wealth of services to support them through their diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
If you would like to find out a bit more about what they do, then please take some time to look at their website... www.wolofoundation.org If you would like to, then we would encourage our runners to raise as much as they can for this very worthwhile cause through additional sponsorship so that the WOLO Foundation can continue all of their wonderful work supporting families in Sussex who have been touched by Cancer.
HELPFUL RACE DAY INFORMATION
Runners to gather for Race Director briefing 10 minutes before race start times at What3words address: refrain.glare.stopwatch
Double Loop briefing at 10:05am
Single Loop briefing at 10:35am
Recommended footwear & kit: We recommend light trail shoes if the weather is dry however if it is wet prior too or on the day then more robust trail shoes will be better. Please keep an eye on the forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions, bringing a spare set of clothes (and socks!) if needed. Please note, there are no changing facilities available at the site.
Race Numbers: Your race number must be worn on the front of your shirt and not on your legs or back otherwise you may not receive an accurate time. Please make sure that you do not damage the chip as this will also impact your recorded race time.
Please remember to complete your medical information on the reverse of your number. This is a life-saving racing requirement for your own safety.
Your Health & Fitness: Before attempting to race we ask that you make sure you are 100% fit to do so. If you believe that you are not fit enough to take part in the race, please could we ask you to think about the serious effects that could possibly be triggered if you do so and return to racing when you feel fully fit.
Medals & Prizes: There will be recycled medals awarded to all finishers. In addition to the medals, we will also be awarding trophies to the 1st,male and female in each distance. Rathfinny will also be donating a bottle of sparkling wine to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd female and male runners in each distance. Prize giving and presentation will be as soon as winners cross the finish line.
Results: In line with current UKA guidelines, race results will be reported on gun time. Results will be available online as soon as possible after the race. A final set of confirmed results will be emailed to participants.
We are a carbon neutral event...
This wonderful but challenging vineyard run takes place on the Rathfinny Wine Estate the day after World Earth Day and raises money for local cancer charity the WOLO foundation.
This is a carbon neutral event and there will be no single use plastics in use on race day. We recently appeared in Damian Hall’s new book ‘We can’t Run Away from This’ and also appeared in Runners World Magazine as one of the best races in the UK to run in April. As a co-founder of The Green Runners it’s important for me to ensure that this race doesn’t impact on the local environment. The Green Runners mission is ‘Running without the footprint’ and has 4 pillars that determine what we do.
1. How we travel?
2. How we kit up?
3. How we eat?
4. How we speak out?
Find out more info about The Green Runners here www.thegreenrunners.com
We will be awarding recycled slate medals to all runners who complete the course and instead of a race t shirt we will be planting trees and shrubs within the estate for every runner that has entered.
We will also be giving each runner a (lite) Trainer Repair Kit to help extend the life of their trainers.
Reminder:
We are a CUP LESS event..........so please ensure you bring your own cup or hydration option.
The course...We will be starting all races at the start/finish line adjacent to the Tasting Rooms (different to previous years). After each distance warm up and race briefing you will be led to the start funnel (used fishing rope!) where you will line up to start. You will be mainly running on hard (muddy if wet) trails. Please take care and also be aware of any protruding tree roots especially through the wooded trail section which may cause a trip hazard. There are a couple of tight switchbacks and a few hills with 2 of them quite tough!
There will be a coned area by the pumping station to highlight a gap in the track.
Spectators...
We are delighted that spectators are now welcome to attend which means that your friends and family can cheer you throughout the course and across the finish line. The best viewpoint is near the Tasting Rooms and The Hut where you will see the runners pass by from an elevated position.
All dogs MUST be kept on a lead.
WOLO will be offering free spaces to any runner that would like to raise funds (£300 minimum) for this great Sussex based cancer charity. If you are interested in supporting the charity please email Sam@wolofoundation.org (30 free spaces available)
There will also be an option to book a post race meal... details to follow!
Entry Limit: 300 (150 in each distance)