Warwickshire Bear Ultra
The Warwickshire Bear Ultra is a new 60km ultra marathon through beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Starting and finishing in Rugby the Warwickshire Bear Ultra takes you along old railways, cycle paths, reservoirs and canal footpaths to Leamington Spa where you turn on your heels to come home again! The out and back nature means there is limited race admin and with HQ a short walk from Rugby station it’s perfectly placed! We’ve got generous cut-offs and the course is great for newcomers and experienced athletes alike.
How far is it?
It is just over 60km. 19 miles to the Fusilers pub in Leamington Spa, and then 19 miles back home.
Course description
The route starts in Rugby and goes along the Great Central Way, a local nature reserve. This 2 mile stretch will allow the field to spread out as the route takes you along the cycle path towards Draycote Water. You don’t actually go through the reservoir but instead head towards Thurlaston for the first checkpoint (and views of the water). Running along some roads and through some fields you get back on to the Route 41 cycle route. After another quick country road section you're back on to an old railway line and a gravel cycle track to Birdingbury, aid station 2 and about 10 miles. Running out of Birdingbury along another country road you'll join the Grand Union Canal at Stockton Locks. Going down past the 8 locks that make up this part of the canal you'll stay on this wide picturesque canal all the way to Leamington Spa, with a stop at the Two Boats Inn for aid station 3 at mile 15. You continue along the Canal until you reach The Fusilers pub on the other side of the canal at mile 19. You head back the way you came visiting the same checkpoints back to the church and your well deserved medal!
If you are a local to the area, the route is about 80% of the route 41 cycle route from Rugby to Leamington Spa and then back to Rugby. For those not local expect a very beautiful scenic route across the Warwickshire countryside with excellent markings. The route is 60% trail 40% asphalt.
Can I have a pacer?
No, not really.
Pacers are generally only involved in ultras over 50miles or when you're running through the night. If you've got a friend or loved one who runs or walks with you for a few hundred meters as they pass you a jaffa cake, no big deal. Want to run across the finish with your 3 year old you've made drive around Warwickshire all Sunday? Not a problem (we aren't Ironman!). Want to run back half a mile and help your mate get to the finish inside the cut off after you've completed your run? Hero. We would hope everyone is sensible enough to understand the difference between supporting your mate and pacing. No pacing but run with your mate for a couple of minutes.
What does it cost?
We operate a tiered pricing approach. The earlier you enter, the cheaper the event but never ever will you pay a booking fee!
Before 01/02/2021 £49
Before 19/08/2021 £54
After 19/08/2021 £59
Entries close Monday 6th September at 09:00
Add £2 if unaffiliated, save 10% by joining the Big Bear Brigade
Has the event been run before?
No! You are a modern day trendsetter. You'll be able to say you were there at the first one at our 40th edition (hopefully!). This isn't our first event though, you're in safe hands we know what we're doing. Read our reviews on Racecheck of our various events and note the awards we've won for them too. It's a new event for us but we're prepared and it'll be great!
Where is it?
The HQ is at St Peter & St John Church, Rugby, CV21 3QP.
This is both the start and finish line (no faffing with cars or coaches!) but there is absolutely no parking here.
You will need to pay to park on the day. Competitors are strongly advised to park at Rugby Train station (a 1km walk to HQ) where the charge is only £2 for the whole day. If you're staying overnight you can park for only £9 for the whole weekend (correct at time of writing). There is absolutely no parking at HQ and street parking on the residential streets is prohibited too. We can't annoy the neighbours on the first event and any complaints regarding parking regarding you or your crew is likely to result in a DQ!
For those who don't/can't drive the start is 800m from Rugby Train station, a rarity for an ultra! Unfortunately, trains on a Sunday morning seem to not exist but there is a Travel Lodge just round the corner meaning you could sleep 500m from the start line instead! We'll happily store a small overnight bag at the bag drop too if that's a concern.
Can I have a crew?
Of course, it's an ultra and crews are important. That said you need to understand they are your responsibility. If your crew misbehave, cause parking issues, are rude to our team or others involved in the race then you will be DQ'd. We know you're a highly trained athlete and the must have your Jam Tarts at exactly the time you said but they need to act responsibly. We will send out crew instructions before the event.
We have created crew instructions here. They are pretty exhaustive but may not necessarily cover every aspect. Ultimately the above applies. If your crew jeopardise the event in anyway you’ll risk a DQ. If there are any points we’ve missed however do ask.
Are there cut offs?
Yes.
We're keeping it simple. We are working off a 4 mile an hour pace (15min/miles) and an overall race cut off of 10 hours. There will be a very hard cut off at 5 hours (13:15 regardless of start time) at the turn around point in Leamington Spa.
This might rule some people out. We apologies. We host many events that are truly inclusive in terms of pace, speed and distance. However, we have lots of moving parts with an event like this and so a cut off will be in place and enforced. We know the enforcement doesn't always happen at some events, it will here to be clear. Each checkpoint will have opening and closing windows. We'll release these details as we create the athlete pack with all the FAQ's but they will be based around our estimation of the quickest person being just over 4 hours and the cut off being 10 hours. If you think you'll run 40 miles in under 4 hours...wow.... and let us know!!
FAQ’s?
We’ve got a big list of FAQ’s here. Hopefully we’ve covered all the questions you could ask but do let us know if not. Be aware this is an active document. There may well be changes closer to the event but if there are major ones we’ll update entrants via email. We wont be sneaking in a piano as mandatory kit or anything!
Permissions
Permission for this event has been obtained from the necessary powers that be including Warwickshire County Council. This is obviously all dependent on the Covid situation at the time. A permit is pending from the TRA for this event. Permit number pending.
I’ve heard you do cupless events?
That’s right! Read all about how we do cupless events here
Can I walk it?
If you're quick! Whether you run, hike walk or crawl as long as you are on 2 feet and meet the cut offs then that is fine with us!
I’ve heard you do nice medals. What will it look like?
We used to like a surprise but actually it’s nice to know what you’re running for!
I’m not that fussed by a medal, drink and flapjack…
In that case our partnership with Trees Not Tees may be of interest! When you sign up to this event you can select to have no finish line swag and instead we’ll donate the cost of this to Trees Not Tees who will plant a tree in their Scottish woodland on your behalf! You can find more info about this initiative here.
What are your refund/withdrawal rules?
You can find them here
I have a question.
No problem, check out our Warwickshire Bear Ultra FAQ’s
“A really great event for novice runners and experienced alike. Its like Parkrun but goes of for 6hrs, the other participants offer support and encouragement and the volunteers and organisers are fabulous. Well marked routes and amazing aid station. Proper toilets and coffee shop also very close to the start and finish line.”
