Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire: 3rd March 2012
Click here for Legends of Sherwood 2012 Provisional Results
“Robin Hood, Robin Hood, running through the mud....” (ahem).
After the fabulous fun had by all at 2011’s debut event, we’re back for another riot of a run amongst the Pines of Sherwood.
Early March means an early start time for both 5k and 10k, which roughly translates as more darkness, and more time to relax (party) afterwards. The course will remain relatively unchanged, with firm favourites the Borrow Hole, the Swamp, and Legendary Spooky Wood all making a welcome return.
Fancy dress is part of the fun, with Lincoln Green top of the what-to-wear list. When the gun goes off, a marauding mob of Merry Maids and Friendly Friars will charge across the starting hurdles, and into the trees, towards the many challenges that await them.
Whether you sign up to the daylight 5k(ish) or the torchlit 10k(and a bit), you’re all welcome to attend the Notorious after-party, with legendary live music and local hospitality, and a chance to sleep soundly in our onsite camping area.
For the 10k, don’t forget your headtorch: you’re gonna need it, right from the start.
- 2012 Prices
- The Venue
- The Event
- The Course
- Weekend Timetable
- What to wear
- Safety Matters
- Tackling Obstacles
- Prizes
- Other Reasources
The Run |
Standard price |
10k |
£40.00 |
10k - Team of 5 |
£35.00 |
10k - Team of 10 |
£30.00 |
5k |
£30.00 |
Sherwood Pines is managed by the Forestry Commission, as the largest single tract of public forest in the East Midlands. Forming part of the original Sherwood Forest we know from the legends of Robin Hood, these days, it’s a working woodland, with a busy visitor centre including a Go Ape course, and a network of trails popular with walkers and cyclists, including those staying at the neighbouring Centre Parc.
For more information about Sherwood Pines’ year-round events, click here.
For full details on finding the venue, click here for our “Getting there” page.
Sharpen those arrows, here’s the deal. Two distance choices, with both runs featuring plenty of challenges, Legends of Sherwood is intended to be suitable for any reasonable runner to complete, and whilst it’s a genuine all-terrain undertaking, the onus is on fun.
If you’re part of a group, you can include a club or team name in the entry form, but since we record your individual time, you can run at your pace.
The Legends 5k(ish) – Shorter, but no half measures
Starting at 1500pm, our 5k run is still a genuine test, but it’s half the distance and runs in daylight, so caters to those wanting to have some fun, without the full physical commitment (or terrifying dark bits). You’ll still need to overcome your fair share of genuine challenges, with the added bonus of being able to see where you’re going!
Run duration between 30mins and 1 hour.
The Legends 10k (and a bit) – The dark forest
Starting at 1730pm (or near enough – we may alter the start time depending on light levels on the day), this is the one to go for if you want the full nocturnal outlaw experience. With the same features as the 5k, we send you further afield to tackle an extra level of physical and mental challenge in the disorienting darkness!
More distance, more hills, more gradient, more fun! Don’t forget the headtorch - you’ll need it almost immediately as you plunge into the dense thicket soon after the start. Tackle all that the forest can throw at you, and overcome steep banks, devilish hurdles and the occasional muddy patch on your way to the Merry Maze, and the roar of the crowd at the finish!
TThe 10k route features a well-signposted drink station approx halfway.
Run duration between 1 and 2 hours. Be prepared!
The Legendary Afterparty
After all your arborial exertions, it’s time to refuel, “rehydrate” and relax. We’ll have local food and drink available throughout the day for you and your spectators, so once over the finish line, grab some nosh and make a beeline for the Party Tent. After the informalities of Prize Giving, we leave you with our live band to party until midnight. Stay onsite in our camping area, or designate a driver to get you home safe. Perfect.
Saturday 3rd March 2012
0800- Sherwood Pines opens for normal business
1200 - Free Legends Parking/Camping Areas open. Event Village & Catering open.
1200 - Registration opens (for 5k and 10k)
1445 - Registration closes
1500 - 5k-ish start
1515 - Registration reopens (for 10k)
1715 - Registration closes
1730 - 10k (and a bit) start (we might push this back slightly if it’s just too light)
1900 - Music in Party Tent
1945 - Prize giving in Party Tent
2000 - Live Band starts in Party Tent
2300 - Event Village is cleared, lights off. “Thank you, and goodnight!”
2330 - Main gates closed and locked – no vehicular access
Sunday 4th March 2012
0745 - Main gates unlocked
0800 - Friar’s Tuck Shoppe re-opens for breakfast in the Event Village
1100 - All tents (and litter) to be cleared from the Camping Area
1200 - All vehicles to be cleared from the Parking Area*
*Vehicles may stay onsite, but will need to pay and display a ticket
In honour of our auspicious surroundings, we feel it befitting to dress appropriately. Expect to rub shoulders with merry men, crusading King Richards and scheming Sheriffs. By all means accessorize with feathers in caps, bows and friendly arrows and your finest Errol Flynn ‘tash.
However, please remember the physical demands at the heart of this tomfoolery. Consider your fancy dress choices in respect of the activities, the weather, and other participants; keep it safe and fun for everyone.
Some suggestions:
- A technical baselayer will help regulate your temperature.
- Off-road, or Trail shoes are more likely to keep you upright.
- Lower leg cover may offer protection from the odd scratch or scrape.
For the 10k, you will need a good headtorch, with fresh batteries!
If you’re short of any kit, click here to check out deals in the Rat Race Store.
Bring full body cover options with you, should the weather deteriorate in the final hours before your run, and seriously consider the other recommended items mentioned in the website, such as energy snack, drink, first aid kit and whistle – all contained in a small pack or pockets. There is a water stop on the 10k, but please do not solely rely on this if you think you will take a while to complete the course.
During your run look out for the signs of others on the course seriously struggling or injured and report this to the next course marshal, event first aider, or bail-out with them, to a point of help. If you see someone in trouble: HELP, you are the nearest person to be able to assist. In reality, incidents like this are extremely rare, and you will be amongst hundreds of people having a jolly (if not strenuous) time. Any participant who gives up their race to aid a fellow participant will receive a free event entry next year.
We’ve tested and practiced all the obstacles in this event ourselves, and now we require that you tackle them sensibly, and with the knowledge that you can make decisions independent from any verbal instruction from marshals that may be present. Here are some guidelines for safe practice that you must note;
- Consider bypassing an obstacle if you lack confidence, have appreciable fear or are
- carrying an injury
- Ensure that the approach, and the obstacle itself are clear from obstruction
- If there is a marshal giving instructions, pay close attention
- If choosing to help participants, do so carefully, with their consent and without ‘launching’ them
- No stunts or ‘showboating’ should be attempted
- Pay attention to your surroundings, keeping head, arms and hands clear of any protrusions
- Spot your landing before jumping or lowering yourself from any obstacle
- Land with both feet. Bend your knees to absorb any shock
- Move away from the obstacle promptly
- Complete the obstacle ONCE only
- Do not rush. Do not barge or jostle with other participants. Do not drink the water
- Remember to smile!
You can find full T&Cs here which do mention some safety matters.
Timing will be conducted by electronic chip tied to your shoe, which we’ll give you at registration, and collect at the finish. Please use as instructed.
You’ll receive a tech t shirt before the start (you don’t need to wear it in the race), and each finisher will hobble away with a medal to wear with honour.
Prizes to the value of over £500 will be awarded to male and female runners recording the fastest times, in the form of adventure sports kit to the value of:
| 10k 1st Merry Man - £80 | 10k 1st Merry Maid - £80 |
| 10k 2nd Merry Man - £50 | 10k 2nd Merry Maid - £50 |
| 10k 3rd Merry Man - £25 | 10k 3rd Merry Maid - £25 |
| 10k 1st Little John (M16-17) - £30 | 10k 1st Little Jill (F16-17) - £30 |
| 10k 1st Old Man of the Forest (M50+) - £30 | 10k 1st Mother Nature (F50+) - £30 |
| 5k 1st Merry Man - £50 | 5k 1st Merry Maid - £50 |
Take look around for more information about the Legends of Sherwood event, or any of our other Notorious Night Runs via the “Notorious Series Homepage” in the menu at the top left of this page.
If you’ve read enough, click here to enter online, and we’ll see you there!