How far is it?
It is just over 60km. Just over 19 miles to the Fusilers pub in Leamington Spa, and the same 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’ll run alongside the reservoir briefly escaping it to head towards Thurlaston for the first checkpoint (and views of the water). After a short country road section you're back on to an old railway line and a gravel cycle track to Birdingbury, aid station 2 at just over 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 on the way to Leamington Spa, with a stop at the Two Boats Inn for aid station 3 at mile 15. Following the markers and route 41 signs you briefly come of the canal along a new section of cycle path and along the Offchurch Greenway. Once you rejoin the canal you’ll 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 95% 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 monsters!). 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 100m.
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!
Opening week £50
Before 18/08/2021 £60
After 18/08/2021 £70
Add £2 if unaffiliated
Entries close Monday 5th September 2022 at 09:00
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Has the event been run before?
Yes and it was a great success in 2021!
The winning time was Stephen Marks in 4:31:34 (Women’s record is 5:09:23 by Amy Sarkies) and the event received a plethora of positive reviews on Racecheck making the first edition of the event an award winning one too!
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.
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 as the event requires approval from the local council. 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 a rural 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 at HQ 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 created crew instructions here for the 2021 event. The 2022 instructions are likely to be very similar and will be confirmed 4 weeks prior to the event. 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 and we’ll clarify then add to them
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 behard cut offs on the way back to Rugby starting with the cut off at 5 hours (13:00 - if we start on time!) at the turn around point in Leamington Spa. The closing time for each aid station is the cut off for each subsequent aid station. If you do not leave before this time you’ll have your bib removed and will no longer be part of the event. We do not take responsibility for getting you back to the start/finish.
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, to be clear, it will here. 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.
The Warwickshire Bear Ultra is an award-winning 60km ultra marathon through beautiful Warwickshire countryside. The first edition received a ratign of 4.9/5 and rave reviews on Racecheck. 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 day admin and with HQ a short walk from Rugby station it’s perfectly placed! We’ve got generous cut-offs, the best aid stations around and the course is great for newcomers and experienced athletes alike.
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
“Fantastic event. Organised impeccably, from pre event information, a clear race day briefing, to course signage, and helpful volunteers. Great course, and a wonderful atmosphere between participants. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
