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Come celebrate Tolkien with us!

This will be the eighth running of the Tolkien Run and we've gone through the first cycle of medals and in 2021 after a "catch up" year in 2020 we're going to have another new medal. For 2021 this will be a the Mordor Fun Run! One simply doesn't walk... for those who are familiar with the films will know this line from the Council of Elrond.

We've been very fortunate to have been granted permission to hold an event at Samphire Hoe. A nature reserve created from 4.9 million cubic metres of chalk marl from the Channel Tunnel excavations. This has been left to mature in to a rolling nature reserve with an abundance of wildlife and for us runners, some lovely trails and a long wide dead flat sea wall to enclose it all.

It's our aim that this event makes an impactful difference to Samphire Hoe in a positive fashion and as such £5 from each entry fee will be donated directly to the nature reserve to aid them in maintaining this lovely environment.

We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard. The event will be a six hour timed challenge event. Complete as many loops as you wish within the time limit.

Why the Tolkien Run I hear you ask? Well, I am a bit of a Tolkien geek (down to naming my daughter after a flower in Lothlorien!) and I've got an idea for some fantastic race bling and so have created an event basically so I can share my idea with runners! Now being Tolkien themed and the event date falling so close to several famous hobbit's birthdays there will be a somewhat "foodie" theme, so of course there will be breakfast, second breakfast, elevensis, lunch and perhaps even a spot of afternoon tea!

The course is a mix of very high quality gently rolling trail and a nice dead flat sea wall, quite literally all within the shadow of the famous White Cliffs of Dover, there is some wild life to keep an eye out for, you'll be able to see what's going on at both Dover and Folkestone Harbours, there will no doubt be some ships to see and some trains to spot too for good measure!

We put on events and challenge runs exactly the way we wish they were all organised. Low key, friendly and with most of the entry fee being spent on the runners. Please consider joining us on the Kent Coast in October on a special day!

Course Information & Photos

Can be found on the location information page here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please also see our general SVN FAQ that cover all of our events. which you can read here.

Where is the event?
Samphire Hoe - CT17 9FL - Please check our Samphire Hoe information page for more information.

When do I get my race number?
You'll pick this up on race day morning from the race base camp.

Are there time limits?
Yes, six hours to run as many laps as you can. You can finish at any time within the 6 hours and your final distance will be recorded along with your finishing time. Only complete laps within the 6 hours will be recorded or you must have left the aid station for your last lap by 6.00 after the start.. Any runner completing 7 laps will have completed an official marathon (by 100 Marathon Club standards) of about 26.2 miles, 8 laps or more will have completed an ultra. As long as you finish one lap then you'll receive an official finish time, medal and goody bag. With timed events there are no DNFs.

Do you have secure baggage facilities
No. But you're free to leave bags at the start/finish. There will always be someone around but we can't guarantee their security. You'll be able to park close to the start/finish don't forget.

Trail shoes? Road Shoes?
Road shoes should be fine. Its 99% on perfect surfaces, you might have a couple of pebbles to step around, but otherwise all on sealed tarmac/concrete/gravel and a couple of wooden bridges. Even after heavy rain the surfaces tend to be very good.

Is the course closed to the public?
No. We are on a public nature reserve. Runners do not have the right of way and need to be considerate of other users of the land, there may be fisherman on the sea wall part and dog walkers, ramblers or cyclists on any part of the course. Please don't litter. We'll have a bin at the base camp, please use this and there are several bins on the route too.

Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?
Yes there are toilets (open from 7:00) by the car park near the start/finish. There is also some information about the reserve and a small cafe (but it may not be open!)

Can I use an ipod or mp3 player on the course?
Yes. Though please be aware that you are running on public footpaths with the general public so make sure that you pay attention to traffic, people, children on bikes, wildlife and so on.

Location Information

Please visit our Samphire Hoe information page for general parking, directions and local area information about public transport, hotels etc.

General SVN FAQ

Can be read here

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