18/10/2025
HEREPATH HALF: FINAL RACE INSTRUCTIONS
SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER 2025 – 10:30 AM START
REGISTRATION AND CAR PARKING
Car parking at race HQ is extremely limited, and we have almost 200 entrants. If you can share lifts, that would be very helpful. Thurlbear School is at TA3 5BW (a map can be found on the race website – https://runningforever.club/herepath). As parking is limited, marshals will be on hand to assist with parking along the verges. If you have supporters, the best places to view the race are at Staple Hill (close to the Forestry Commission car park, TA20 3RA) or West Hatch (near the Farmers Arms, TA3 5RS).
Registration will be open from 9:00am, please try not to arrive before then. This will allow you to pick up your race number and to book in. You will need to fill in the medical information section on the back and there will be pins provided to attach the number onto your shirt. Facilities for baggage and changing are limited so please leave bags in cars if possible.
We will call runners together in the school playground at 10:20am for a short briefing. You will then be taken on to the road for the start as soon as it is clear of traffic. Please get into single file on the left-hand side of the road as soon as possible after the start as it has not been closed to traffic.
THE ROUTE
The route will be run in an anticlockwise direction and there will be a mixture of signs, arrows (red on yellow background), tape (red/white) and marshals to show you the way round the course. There is a mixture of terrain with some muddy sections, so trail shoes are strongly recommended. There are a few sections of road which link the trails and care will be needed for these. Please follow marshals’ instructions. As per UKA rules, unless otherwise advised by marshals, please run on the left-hand side of the road. If you are familiar with the Herepath trail then be aware that we have added some extra loops at Staple Hill to compensate for the long-term closure at Bickenhall. If you wish to see more detail before the race, the course map can be found on the website.
You may encounter Exmoor ponies, Longhorn cattle and horse riders on the trail. Please slow-down to avoid frightening them. Please also take care when passing other users of the Herepath such as walkers. Leave gates as you find them. If you should be injured and unable to continue, then find the nearest marshal or wait for the sweeper runners.
RUNNING NUMBERS must be worn on your FRONT so they can be clearly seen by our timekeepers at the finish. The race does not use chips, and if your number is not visible, then you may not receive a result!
WATER-STATIONS are located at roughly 4 miles (Staple Park Wood), 6.5 miles (Staple Hill) and 11 miles (Paddocks, Bickenhall). Please note that the race is cup-free, this means our water stations will not have single-use plastic cups. They will still have a plentiful supply of water, but you will need to run with a suitable cup or bottle for the water.
FIRST-AIDERS will be positioned at race HQ and at Staple Hill (6.5 miles).
HEADPHONES - The wearing of in-ear headphones, or similar devices, (other than those medically prescribed), is not permitted anywhere on the course. Headphones that work by conducting sound through bones and do not sit in the ears are acceptable.
REFRESHMENTS - Thurlbear School PTA have kindly agreed to man a refreshment stand during the race, please bring along some change for a contribution to their fund raising.
PRIZES - There will be prizes for the first male and first female finisher, and they can also receive a £25 cash prize if they beat the course records of 1:27:36 and 1:40:32 respectively. Prizes will also be presented for 2nd Female, 3rd Female, 1st FV40, 1st FV50, 1st FV60, 1st FV70, 2nd Male, 3rd Male, 1st MV40, 1st MV50, 1st MV60, 1st MV70 during an presentation at as close as possible to 13:00. Any age category winners who finish after this time will be presented with their award later. Everyone who completes the course will receive a memento.
We are looking forward to seeing you on Sunday – have a great race!
The Herepath Half team
