About The Houghton Trail Event
We have started registration again for the 2012 trail event. Look forward to seeing you on 29th April 2012!
For eight years the All Saints Church in Houghton has been holding its annual trail event for runners, walkers and mountain bike riders (most recently on 10th April 2011). Being a little bit longer than the standard 10K run, this attracts middle and long distance runners as well as fun runners and walkers.
The entire proceeds raised are donated to the Houghton All Saints Church.
The Houghton Trail Event is a choice of four events: 4k Fun run, 11k Trail run, 14k or 31k Mountain Bike Ride.
This is a very low-key village event and although it is rated as non-competitive there are those who understandably like to cross the line first! We hand out medals to finishers but there are no placement awards. Local businesses provide spot prizes which are always very welcome! This essentially is The Houghton Fun Run and is held to raise money for the All Saints Church - but we like to make it as enjoyable for competitors as we can, so we welcome your views and rating after the event.
The Events
All the routes are mainly off-road with drink stations set up at 5Km and 9Km along the 11K Trail Run route. There is also water at the start and finish. The routes are not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
The 11K Trail Run is mainly off-road and the terrain is pretty good with only a couple of areas where it is a bit rutted. There is a slow uphill drag for the first 2Km and another one at around 4/5Km. Watch out for tree roots along the path. After that, it's plain sailing (one or two stiles..). This event is in a beautiful setting. There is a stunning section of bluebells around 6Km. The run joins the Test Way between 8 and 9Km and The Clarendon Way at around 10Km. These are all very approximate distance markers, so don't lap your watch by them!
The 14k/31k Mountain Bike Ride follows a separate route and starts ahead of the runners. The 31K trail cycle also boasts stunning scenery, with one or two steep hills. The cyclists go off before the runners and take a different course so there is no clashing! Walkers start behind the runners.
The 4K Fun Run is all off-road and flat - with one style to leap over. Perfect for children.
Maps and Guides
A3 maps of the 31K cycle route are sent out to entrants with their race numbers. There are also copies available on the day. You can also download maps and guides here (PDF format 
):
- 4K Fun Run - Guide
- 4K Fun Run - Map
- 11K Fun Run - Guide
- 11K Fun Run - Map
- 14K Cycle Ride - Guide
- 14K Cycle Ride - Map
- 31K Cycle Ride - Guide
- 31k Cycle Ride Map: Part 1 and Part 2
Parking, Refreshments & Facilities
There are facilities for on site changing / WC and parking nearby. There are 2 toilets at the village hall (and plenty of bushes along the route!).
Refreshments are provided both inside the village hall and outside (if the weather is fair). Tea, coffee, home made cakes are all reasonably priced. All proceeds from the sale of refreshments and cake raffle also go to the Church.