These are the race instructions for the Knacker Cracker, 11.00am, 1 January 2024.

You will not be sent anything through the post.

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY – everything you need to know is here.

More marshals are always needed (Can’t run? Please marshal!). Marshals get great goodies and a place in a future race. Please email me at rob@trionium.com if you can make it (or bring someone) – marshals are needed from 9.00am at the race HQ – dress warmly/for the weather.

The race HQ is at Denbies Vineyard (London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA). This is a five minute walk from either Westhumble or Dorking main station. Park at Denbies (there is a parkrun at 9am, but car-parking spaces should be free by 9.45 onwards).

You should plan to pick up your running number at least 30 minutes before the start time, by 10.30. (This will also allow you to enjoy the fancy dressers).

Toilets have been hired-in for the race – they will be located to the south side of the Winery. There are no other toilets on the course, apart from at teh race finish.

There will be a bag drop (into the van) and key drop at the start. Nothing fancy, but safe and dry. Do not leave valuables in your car. Don’t leave anything valuable in your bag either.

YOUR BAG AND KEY DROP WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO THE RACE FINISH – PICK THEM UP THERE!

Please wear fancy dress if possible (a funny hat at least – come on!) There will be separate prizes for fancy dress (best male, best female, best group).

At 10.40, we will lead off from Denbies towards the race start – it is an 8-minute slow jog, via a pedestrian tunnel, to Burford Meadow. The race starts at 11am.

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CONTINGENCY PLANS

If the planned start area (Burford Meadows) is flooded, the runners will be led to the foot of the Burford Slope (another 300m walk) and will start from there, on a modified course (still finishing at the top).

If for any reason we cannot use the Box Hll Course at all, we will use the ‘B’ course around Denbies vineyard, which is 12.5km and is also very tough. In this case, the race will start directly adjacent to the car parking at Denbies.

If Covid restrictions curtail mass starts (etc), then the event is still likely to take place, albeit with staggered starts, around Denbies, as in 2021. In this case further details will be emailed to you and will be posted on the website.

In all cases, please turn up in good time to collect your race number – and to enjoy the fancy-dressers!

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Please do not wear headphones on the course – you will be disqualified if you do. Please support your fellow runners to the MAX!

Spitting and blowing snot from your nose is strictly forbidden!

The Nipper Knacker children’s run will start at the same time as the main race, and will ascend to the top of the steps, and then will descend and re-ascend the first slope – all children taking part need to be supervised all the way down and all the way back up (finishing at the Old Fort – where they must be handed over to another adult’s supervision). Note that the Nipper Knacker is harder than in previous years! No entry cost, no results, no medals, but a carrot for all youthful (<16 years) participants.

On 1 January 2024 there will be FIVE big ascents of Box Hill over a distance of 10.000km. The course has 335m of elevation loss and 473m of elevation gain (47.3m of gain per km – a Grade B Fell Race). Details of this year’s course are here.

The course is everywhere steep, slippery, hilly, rutted, bramble-ridden, obscured, icy, dangerous, snowy, perilous, challenging, ankle-snapping and muddy. In addition, there may be overhead dangers including brambles and fallen or part-fallen trees. Be careful… you have been warned!

You will certainly benefit from as much grip as possible – this is certainly a route for trail shoes if you have them. However, NO SPIKES or STUDS.

The best place for spectators is at the top of Box Hill – but they must pay to park (unless they are National Trust members). They can watch you going down past the Old Fort, when they come back up a few minutes later at the Old Fort, at the Lookout, and then (if you are quick) at the finish at the Old Fort too. There are toilets and a servery at the top of Box Hill.

Run on the left at all times. Please give way to returning (faster) runners.

This is a very isolated course – you are your own supporters. Support each other with friendly imprecations or a thumbs up (yes, even from the really fast runners!), and you’ll all enjoy it a lot!

Please thank the marshals… without them, the race cannot take place!

Top tips?
Where there are stairs, walk (unless you are in the top 10!): No stairs? Run!
You will get much warmer than you expect: ditch a layer if you can.
Make at least one new running friend!
Forget your watch – on this course, in this race, time is not of importance. Finishing is all.
Enjoy the views!
If you want a time in the results, show us your number as you cross the line.
Keep smiling!

There will be a water station at 6km, with water and sweets.

Prize-giving will take place at the race finish from 12.30 onwards (top 3 men, top 3 ladies). First lady home will win the ‘Knicker Knacker’. Tomato soup and cheese & pickle rolls will be available after the run, courtesy of our very own Soup Dragon (alas no Roblets in 2023 – they have flown the nest). You will also be able to pick up your medal, race memento and race shirt. Your size preference is printed on your running number – please stick to your stated size preference or you might take someone else’s shirt!

Remember – BAGS and KEYS will be at the TOP – at the FINISH!

After the race, you will need to make your way back down Box Hill to the Race HQ to retrieve your car, if you came by car. You should only cross the A24 via the pedestrian tunnel that we will use to get from the HQ to the race start. You take any other route at your own risk.

Results, photos and video will be up on the web site after the race.

Remember, we need marshals, and all help will be greatly appreciated – thank you.

I hope that you have a happy New Year: See you on 1st January, bright and early!

Regards,

Rob McCaffrey – Knacker Cracker organiser