The Houghton Trail Event
High resolution photos of the 2012 trail event are now online.All of the 2012 results that could be recovered are now published. There are still over 100 that could not be resolved. Thank you to all those who emailed your own timed results to me. That's been such a great help!
For the ninth year running, this off-road event took place as usual in Houghton, Hampshire for runners, walkers and mountain bike riders. The entire proceeds raised are donated to the Houghton All Saints Church. This year over £3,300 was raised with over 300 runners and cyclists taking part.
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.
Read what people are saying Fiona has compiled all the emails and Facebook feedback to add to the Feedback page. So many people have kindly written in to specifically thank the amazing course marshals, car park marshals, time-keepers, Medallers, helpers and tea/coffee/cake stall workers. High praise to all for their cheeriness despite being frozen to the bone and the delicious spread of cakes and sandwiches. More of these comments will up in a day or two. 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. Being a little bit longer than the standard 10K run, this attracts middle and long distance runners as well as fun runners and walkers. 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.
Guides and Maps Pages
Follow these links to see full details of each route with the option to download a guide and map for printing (PDF 
).
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.