Rose of the Shires Ultra & Rosebud Marathon

A Grand 54-Mile Tour of Northamptonshire’s Beautiful Countryside

The Rose of the Shires Ultra is one of our flagship events, offering passionate runners an affordable race set in the heart of Northamptonshire. This 54-mile ultra marathon takes participants on a circular route starting and finishing at Brixworth Country Park, through the stunning Northamptonshire countryside. The course features incredible scenery, country trails, roads, and canal towpaths, passing through charming villages, towns, and two beautiful country parks. Approximately three-quarters of the route is on trail, with the remaining miles on roads.

Runners will encounter iconic landmarks such as Salcey Forest, the Grand Union Canal, and parts of the Nene Way, Midshires Way, and Northampton Round.

Rose of the Shires Ultra:

• Distance: 54 miles (Full Ultra)
• Terrain Mix:
  • 36.4 miles of cross-country trails
  • 15.6 miles of roads
  • 1.8 miles of canal towpath
• Elevation Gain: +2315 ft (+706m)
  Elevation Loss: -2315 ft (-706m)
• Course Marking: Waymarked, but some navigation is required. Helpful resources like a tracker and voice cue navigation app are available to keep you on track.
• Checkpoints: 6 checkpoints, spaced 6-8 miles apart, offering water, snacks, and Go Beyond Fruit Cake
• Cut-off Time: 13.5 hours (with progressive cut-offs at each checkpoint)
• Awards: Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female finishers
• Tracker: Real-time tracking available for friends and family via GeoTracks GPS Tracker
• Start Time: 8:00 am
• Parking: Available at Brixworth Country Park (charges apply)
• Age Limit: Over 18 years only due to the physical demands
• Baggage Transfer: Kit can be stored in your car; bags can also be kept at the finish.

Rose of the Shires Relay Race

If you’re excited about the Rose of the Shires but not ready to tackle the full 54 miles solo, the Rose of the Shires Relay provides a perfect opportunity to be part of the action. The relay race is divided into 7 legs (Start to CP1, CP1 to CP2, etc., up to CP6 to the finish) with varying distances:

• Legs: 8.7/7.1/7.4/6.8/7.7/8/8.4 miles

Three team options are available:

• 3-Person Relay: 1 driver + 3 runners. Two members will run 2 legs each, while one member completes 3 legs.
• 4-Person Relay: 1 driver + 4 runners. Three team members will run 2 legs each, and one member will run 1 leg.
• 7-Person Relay: 2 drivers + 7 runners. Each runner takes one leg of the race.

The tracker will act as your baton, and all team members will receive a medal and Go Beyond merchandise at the finish.

Rosebud Marathon

The Rosebud Marathon covers the last 26.2 miles of the Rose of the Shires Ultra, providing a stunning run through the final section of the Ultra Marathon route.

• Distance: 26.2 miles (last 26 miles of the Ultra)
• Terrain Mix:
  • 14 miles of cross-country trails
  • 10.4 miles of roads
  • 1.8 miles of canal towpath
• Elevation Gain: +1241 ft (+378m), Elevation Loss: -1308 ft (-399m)
• Checkpoints: 2 checkpoints at 9.5 miles in Gayton (CP5) and 17.7 miles in Nobottle (CP6). Water, snacks, and Go Beyond Fruit Cake available.
• Start Location: Ashton Road, Hartwell
• Start Time: 11:30 am (Bus departs from Brixworth Country Park at 10:45 am)
• Transport: Transport to the start of the Rosebud Marathon is available (small fee) from Brixworth Country Park
• Cut-Off Time: 8 hours (Make CP5 by 3:00 pm and CP6 by 5:00 pm)
• Awards: Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Male and Female finishers
• Tracker: Real-time tracking via GeoTracks GPS Tracker, updating every 10 seconds for your friends and family to follow your progress live!
• Start Time: 11:30 am
• Parking: Available at Brixworth Country Park
• Age Limit: Over 18 years only, as per UK Athletics guidelines.
• Baggage Transfer: Bags can be stored at the finish or kept in your car.

Key Information for Both Events

• Registration:
  • Rose of the Shires Ultra: Opens at 6:45 am, race starts at 8:00 am
  • Rosebud Marathon: Opens at 10:00 am, race starts at 11:30 am
  • Pick up race numbers and course maps at registration
• Parking: Available at Brixworth Country Park. Please allow time to park and register.
• Accommodation: Northampton offers a wide range of accommodation options, including Airbnb and budget-friendly hotels.
• Mandatory Kit:
  • Trail shoes, mobile phone, water bottle, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, whistle, headtorch, and more.
• Tracker:
  • Both events feature GeoTracks GPS Tracker for real-time tracking. Follow your progress live, or have friends and family track your position on the interactive map!
• Awards:
  • Rose of the Shires Ultra: Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Male and Female finishers
  • Rosebud Marathon: Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Male and Female finishers

Training Support

Need help preparing for the race? Check out the Runna App for training plans and tips. You can use our discount code: GoBeyond to get started!

Course Records

• Male Course Record (Rose of the Shires Ultra): David Green – 07:17:59 (2022)
• Female Course Record (Rose of the Shires Ultra): Rachel Piper – 08:19:06 (2023)
• Male Course Record (Rosebud Marathon): David Maxen – 04:01:08 (2024)
• Female Course Record (Rosebud Marathon): Fiona Slevin-Brown – 04:10:58 (2024)

Race Day Instructions

Full race day instructions will be provided closer to the event. Please ensure you review them thoroughly for key details and updates.

Join us for a memorable day of running through the rolling hills, scenic trails, and picturesque towns of Northamptonshire. Whether you’re tackling the full 54 miles of the Rose of the Shires Ultra or the final 26.2 miles of the Rosebud Marathon, it’s an adventure you won’t forget!