General Information

DIRECTIONS

Harewood is at the intersection of the A61 Leeds-Harrogate Road and the A659 Otley-Wetherby Road.

• From Leeds, travel on the A61 towards Harrogate and turn left at the traffic lights at Harewood. After 50 yards, go through the arch, after another 50 yards turn right into the Car Park Field.
• From Harrogate, travel on the A61 towards Leeds and turn right at the traffic lights at Harewood. After 50 yards, go through the arch ...
• From Otley, travel on the A659 towards Wetherby, join the A61 at the foot of Harewood Bank, travel 1 mile up to the top of Harewood Bank, then, at the traffic lights at Harewood, turn right. After 50 yards, go through the arch ...
• From the A1 (North or South), turn off at the A659 intersection, travel West towards Collingham, join the A58 for approx. 200 yards, then bear right onto the A659 again, travel 5 miles to Harewood and go straight across at the traffic lights. After 50 yards, go through the arch ...
• NB there is also a frequent bus service between Leeds and Harrogate which passes Harewood main gates.

CAR PARKING

• The Pace Run will run through the field being used for the Car Park. Please park as directed so as not to obstruct the route. There will be plenty of room for all cars in the Car Park (accessed via the main gates to the Harewood Estate). Please do not park in Harewood Village or on Church Lane or near the Village Hall.
• There is no charge for the Car Park nor for access to this part of the Estate.
• The Car park will open at 08:00

FACILITIES

• Harewood Village Hall is 200 yards from the Car Park Field. The Village Hall is being used for administration and refreshments. There will be hot and cold drinks available before and after the run (and during the run for spectators and supporters).
• There are no changing facilities, but bags can be left (at owner's risk).
• We have hired two trailers of portaloos for the day in the Car Park Field so these most important facilities will be plentiful!

ASSEMBLY

• If the weather is good we will assemble in the corner of the Car Park Field nearest the Village Hall.
• If the weather is poor we will assemble in the Village Hall and then at 9am walk to the start in the Car Park Field.
• The first 300 yards is through the field and then across the Harewood main drive. You will be asked to give way to cars and walk across this road.
• This is likely to be the only traffic you see on the route, until you start the 2nd lap, again obey the marshal's instructions to cross the main drive

ROUTE - SUMMARY

• There will be 2 laps, each 8¼ miles, on footpaths and bridle paths including parts of the Leeds Country Way, Dales Way and Ebor Way. The route is traffic-free, half in the Harewood House estate, half near Eccup Reservoir and passes Emmerdale Village.
• There are approximately 3 miles of tarmac paths and the remainder is footpaths most of which are good surfaces.
• There is one poor section of about 200 yards at 6½/14¾ miles where the paths have eroded and are very uneven. Please take care, even if you are an experienced off-road runner. Jog this section, there is plenty of good running ahead!
• You should choose between studded road running shoes or trail running shoes. If it has been particularly dry, road racing shoes may be suitable.

THE PACE

• There will be 5 pace groups, at 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, and 11-minute miling
• The pace groups will run a little faster on tarmac, on pace on even paths, a little slower on poor paths and muddy sections, and much slower on the abovementioned poor section.
• The expected overall pace will probably be 5 to 10 seconds per mile slower than the nominated pace

GATES

• There are about 15 gates around the route of which we expect about 3 or 4 to be closed, the rest open.
• Someone will go round the route in advance and mark the closed gates with yellow arrows.
• Each pace group will have a back-marker (from Valley Striders) who will close the “yellow” gates after the last runner.
• If you run ahead or behind the official groups, please close the “yellow” gates behind you. Failure to do this will risk future events here.

CATTLE GRIDS

• There are also 2 cattle grids, each has a pedestrian gate to the side. It is dangerous to cross the cattle grid, use the gate instead.

DEER

• There is a deer park between 7.5 and 8 miles.
• The stags are a lot heavier and of lower intelligence than the average runner.
• In the rare event that one heads for you, please take avoidance action

INJURIES AND EMERGENCIES

• At least one runner (from Valley Striders) in each pace group will have a mobile phone with contact to the Harewood Estate Office and St John Ambulance.
• If you drop off the back of a pace group and then get an injury, wait for the next group to arrive.

HAREWOOD HOUSE

• Harewood House currently has the "Walking With Beasts" exhibition. The grounds, bird garden and exhibition open at 10:00.
• There is a special rate for runners and their families on the day - Adults £5, Senior citizens £4, Children £2.50. This is less than half the standard weekend price. Just mention "Runners World" at the ticket office.

VALLEY STRIDERS / LINEHAM FARM CHILDREN’S CENTRE

• Valley Striders will be navigating for the Runners World pacers.
• Volunteers from Lineham Farm Children’s Centre will be providing the refreshments.
• Lineham Farm Children’s Centre is Valley Striders’ chosen charity – we raise money for them at our Meanwood Trail Race (April 9).
• If you enjoy the run, please make a small (or large) donation to Lineham Farm reg charity 1033084