FAQ’s – St Giles
Full essential race information for the event is will be available to download on the homepage and emailed out to all runners on Wednesday 15th September 2021.
Please find below answers to our most frequently asked questions.
When are the New Forest Marathon races held?
Junior 200m, 1 mile, 5k and Full Marathon will take place on Saturday 25th September 2021 and 10k and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 26th 2021.
Where do I park my car when arriving on race day?
The St Giles House estate has extensive parking on site so there’s plenty of room for everyone. Parking is charged at £5 per car which coves your parking for the whole weekend!
Is there a shuttle bus operating to the Race Village?
Unfortunately there is no Shuttle Bus service to St Giles House for 2021.
Do all finishers receive a medal and a T-shirt?
Everyone crossing the finish line will receive a New Forest Marathon 2021 Medal for the distance they have completed and a finishers T Shirt. These will be given out in the finish funnel area by some of our amazing Race Crew.
Can I enter if I am not a member of a team or club?
Yes of course, one of our aims is to encourage as many people to be active as possible. It is imperative to us to offer events that so runners of all levels can enjoy the beautiful St Giles House. There are training guides found on the training zone section of this site for all distances. You will find this particularly useful if you are a new runner. We have support from NHS Choices who have supplied excellent content guiding you from your first steps to 5k and beyond.
You certainly don’t need to be a member of a running club, or an official team, in order to participate in our races. Simply leave the ‘Team/Club Name’ blank on the entry form and run as an unattached runner. If you are unattached or your club is not affiliated to UK Athletics you pay a slightly higher entry fee.
Is their food and drink available in the Race Village?
We have a range of Food/Drink and Technical Traders in the Race Village this year.
Is there a route guide?
We will be creating one in Spring 2021 and will be available in the videos, pictures and magazine tab of this website.
Where can I find details about the Virtual Race?
You can find all the details on our Virtual Race page on this website.
How old do I have to be to compete?
On race day you must be 18 years or over to run the full marathon and 17 years or over to run the half marathon. For the 10k 15 years or over and the 5k 11 years or over. However for those Juniors who are 8yrs – 10yrs they can enter the 5k if accompanied by an adult, see race entry page for further detail.
Is there more than one 5k Race?
There is only one New Forest Marathon 5k Race which includes Junior 8yrs-10yrs, Junior 11yrs-16yrs and Adults.
Is there a Junior Race?
There is a Junior 200m/1 mile for children aged between 1 and 12 years.
What time do the Races/Events start?
Saturday 25th September
5km – 9:00am
Woodland Walk – 9:15am
Junior 200m/1 mile – 10:45am
Full Marathon – 10:00am
Sunday 26th September
10km – 9:00am
Half Marathon – 12:00pm
Are there prizes in all Races?
All events have a range of prizes from our very generous sponsors. Prizes are provided for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (Male/Female) for the following events: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k. Prizes will also be provided for the 1st place Male/Female in each of the age categories below with winners receiving a place to run in the 2022 event. A wide range of spot prizes are also allocated to finishing positions throughout the races to allow everyone the chance of winning a prize. All winning times are selected via Chip Time from the official FR System results.
Age Categories
18+
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+
We will not be having a physical presentation this year, all winning prizes will contacted by email with the prizes posted out and all results posted on social media and our website.
Will New Forest Marathon accept any late entries on race day?
Only if the event is not a sell out. This will be communicated via social media in the lead up to the event with details of how to purchase if we have some places left.
Will I receive confirmation of entry into the race?
You will receive a confirmation via email with all details of the race you have entered. If you haven’t received this when signing up as it they often go to JUNK please get in touch and we’ll resend.
Do I need to collect my race pack?
All runners will be sent their Race Packs if entered before Sunday 19th September 2021 to receive in good time for the event. All those signing up up after this date can collect their Race Pack from the New Forest Marathon Race Information situated in the Race Village.
Can someone else compete using my race number?
Entries should not be used by another runner. Our database holds the information of the original entrant or the person you have transferred your place to and may be required in case of emergency on race day. We cannot allow runners to use another entrants competitors number for this reason.
Can I request a refund?
Full refunds will be available within 14 days of purchase, following this we are unable to offer refunds if you do not run. However, there is an option to transfer your place to another person by following the instructions on your race receipt. This option is only available before the 13th September 2021.
Can I change the distance or exchange my place prior to entries closing?
Yes we will happily change your event subject to space for the chosen race before midnight 25th August 2021 PROVIDING THERE IS SPACE IN THE RACE YOU WANT TO CHANGE INTO AND/OR WE HAVEN’T SOLD OUT. If you are upgrading we will simply ask for the difference in cost for the event, if you are dropping down we are unable to issue a refund.
Please email FR systems: [email protected]
Can I defer my place for next years event?
Deferral Policy
Refund- Full refunds will be available within 14 days of purchase, following this we are unable to offer refunds.
NB: Refunds will not be issued if you have redeemed any promotional codes gifted as part of entry.
Transfer – You can transfer/gift/sell your place to someone else at no cost by following the guidelines on your confirmation email by the deadline as stated above before midnight 25th August 2021.
Can I defer?- Unfortunately you can not defer from this event in 2021.
Where does the New Forest Marathon races actually start from?
All races start and finish from St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, Wimborne BH21 5NA. Travel information including how to find us can be found in the useful information section of the website.
What distance are the Full and Half Marathon races?
The races are of standard distances as measured by Ordinance Survey. The Half Marathon measures 21.1 km (13 miles 192 yards) – whilst the full marathon length is 42.2 km (26 miles 385 yards).
The Full Marathon will be two loops of the Half Marathon route for the 2021 event.
Why are the events classed as a ‘Multi-Terrain’? How much is off-road?
This is due to the routes having a variety of surfaces including compacted gravel, trail, farm tracks, grass and small areas of tarmac surfaces. There is a very small tarmac section on the Half/Full routes.
How hilly are the events and whats the terrain?
The St Giles Estate is a mixture of farmland and forest trails with some hilly sections. The best part of the hills is when you reach the top its a lovely run down! Check out the routes including the elevation detail.
Are the races suitable for wheelchairs?
Unfortunately the 2021 course is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Can I use electronic devices during the event?
Although not recommended, personal stereos, iPods & mp3 players can be used at the New Forest Marathon 2021. Please read the following advice:
‘The New Forest Marathon Team follow UKA standards and strongly advise that you DO NOT wear in ear headphones or use audio devices during the race for your own safety, especially on road sections. However, we endorse the use of Aftershokz and similar bone conduction headphones as these provides a safe solution allowing participants to hear their surroundings as well as their music. In 2021 although NOT RECOMMENDED, there will be no disqualification for use of audio devices’.
Are we affiliated with UK Athletics?
We are not affiliated with UK Athletics and therefore results are not counted towards the power of 10. However, all events are measured by Ordnance Survey.
Are there toilets on the routes?
There are toilets on the Half and Full Marathon routes in 2021 that will be shown on the route maps very shortly. We also have plenty of toilets in the Race Village accessible before and after your run.
Is there somewhere to leave our baggage on Race Day?
Due to the ongoing COVID situation we’re unable to confirm our baggage area in the Race village for 2021. We’ll update you further once this has been confirmed.
Spectators – Cyclists – Child buggies – Dogs
Due to the ongoing COVID situation we’re currently unable to confirm if spectators and dogs will be allowed to attend the Race village for 2021. We’ll update you further once this has been confirmed. For safety reasons child buggies and dogs are not permitted to accompany runners.
Can I walk the event? – What time does the course close?
The Full and Half marathons both close at 5.30pm. We encourage all to complete the courses and enter the distance that you feel you are able to cope with.
The Marathon has start times from 10.00am allowing you 6.5 hours to complete the course. The Half Marathon has start times from 12.00pm allowing you 5.5 hours to complete the course.
If you don’t complete the course during this time our sweep bus will offer you a lift back to Start/Finish area or to the nearest sweep bus drop off point where you will be transferred back to the Race Village. As part of signing up to participate in the event means you have to adhere to this process for your safety.
After the time cut off point if you have not completed the course, you will not get a result or be included in the result as chip timing services will stop operating. You will also not be covered by our medical teams.
Can I run for a charity?
Of course if you have a charity close to your heart and wish to raise money for them this is fine. We will be announcing charity partners very soon for the 2021 event.
Where can I find accommodation for race weekend?
If you visit the accommodation section of the website you will find details of camping at this years event in the grounds of St Giles House and only metres from the start line.
What running shoes should I wear?
The routes are a combination of compacted gravel, trail, farm tracks, grass and small areas of tarmac surfaces. We would advise trail shoes if you have the option. Keep an eye on social media for the latest on the lead up to the event and the latest weather reports.
Are there Drink/Energy Stations on the route?
Yes we have 6 drinks stations across the routes. Drinks stations will have bottled water, High 5 Energy Gel and High 5 Gummies.
Can I buy extra passes for the Live Music?
As part of your running entry you will receive a FREE Music Pass for the live/entertainment music on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th September. If you have any non-runners/supporters wishing to attend you can purchase extra passes when signing up.