Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need Trail Shoes?

Yes, you do – the north coast is very technical and rocky in places, and if it rains, the rocks may become very slippery. Trail Shoes are the only suitable footwear for a race of this type – please purchase them and break them in plenty of time for the race. The only exception to this is for the relay on leg one – leg one is on the road, so runners running this leg only can wear road shoes.

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Can I use Walking Poles?

Yes you can.

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Am I allowed a crew, pacers, or any outside assistance?

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In short no, you are not. This is a solo challenge. We provide a drop-bag facility at halfway points, as well as food and drink at regular intervals. If a runner is perceived to have received outside help, action may be taken in line with the event rules at the bottom of the page. Outside help is perceived as any assistance from someone outside of the race (e.g., bringing fresh trainers to a pre-arranged meeting point on the course, or providing additional drinks or food). This is in the interest of all runners having a level playing field to complete the race and achieve their goals.

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Is there a drop bag facility?

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Yes, we take your bag from the start to the Les Fontaines CP for you (Ultra Marathon only). We will also take the Half marathon and marathon bags from their respective starts to the finish for you. Please bring the bags to the race start on race day and be sure to attach your name and race number to the bag.

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Are all items on the mandatory kit list really needed?

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We prescribe these items because you will be out on the course for a long time, and the weather can change. If you fall over or get into difficulty while on the course, warm clothing might be required. Even for runners taking part in the relay, marathon, or half marathon events, all runners will require mandatory kit items. The shortest leg of the relay is 10 miles, which can still be a long way to run if it’s a hot day or you get into trouble. Our duty of care is to ensure that all runners are adequately equipped. Anyone who appears not to be carrying the mandatory kit will be unable to start the race until they can show that they have the necessary kit – no exceptions.

If you are still in doubt as to why we require these items, here is a useful article discussing the need for mandatory kit here and here

Is the course marked?

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Yes, the course is marked to ensure that at decision points along the you will be told where to go. The general principle of these types of races is one of adventure, so each explicit twist and turn will not be marked. However, as long as you keep the sea on your right all the way round, follow footpaths unless indicated to do otherwise, and pay attention to the signage on the course, you will be fine. If you are in any doubt about your ability to navigate the course, please download the GPS file (available on the entry page) and use it to ensure your success on race day. If you are having issues with the GPX file, try Googling how to load a GPX file to your particular method of navigation. Alternatively, you can use a recommended app that supports GPX files.

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GPX Course Files

Round the Rock Ultra – Download here

Round the Rock Marathon – Download here

Round the Rock 1/2 Marathon – Download here

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The GPS file does not open?

To access a gps file you will first need to save the relevant file to your computer.  To do this right click on the download and choose ‘save as’ and save it to your computer.  In order to view / use the file it will have to be imported onto a device that allows you to view & use it. Please Note-If you open the file on your computer it will appear blank / full of gibberish!  It can only be viewed by importing it onto a gps device (eg Garmin Fenix, Suunto Ambit etc) or by viewing it using a computer program that will access the information. As you can imagine we can’t provide technical support on each and every device and gpx files, but Google is a very handy resource for this. 

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How far apart are the aid stations?

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Water stations are approximately 10 miles apart on this course. You are expected to carry water receptacles to carry enough water to sustain yourself between these stations. If it is a hot day, while we will ensure we have sufficient water at the checkpoints to ensure your safety, it is your responsibility to carry enough water to hydrate yourself. We will also be going cupless; therefore, if you wish to drink coke or squash at water checkpoints, you will be required to carry your own reusable cup.

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What foods and drinks are at Checkpoints?

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On the aid stations, there will be supplies such as coke, sweets, some savory food, and possibly soups on at least one of the stations. However, runners are expected to bring enough calories to support themselves, with the food at CPs being supplementary to this. At the first CP (St Catherine’s) there is water only. 

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Are there any pre-requisites for this race?

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It is a requirement of entry that all entrants for the Ultra event have completed a trail race, long-distance walk, or road race of at least marathon distance. The race organizer may seek confirmation of your race information.

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How far is the race?

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The Ultra race is a 48-mile race; however, the distance will definitely not be exactly 48 miles, so please mentally prepare yourself for this. If you run the beach rather than the road at St. Ouen’s and St. Brelaide’s (tides allowing), you can make quite significant distance savings, but it can get quite bumpy.

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How stringent are the cutoffs?

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The Ultra is a tough challenge – please do not enter if you are unprepared for the possibility of not completing the race within the 12-hour cutoff. Cutoffs are strict, and you will not receive a medal if you finish past this time. Please do not put us in the awkward position of having to justify this to you on the day should you fail to meet the cutoff. Any Ultra Marathon runners who do not make it to CP2 within 6 hours will be withdrawn at this point and unable to continue within the race event.

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Why all these rules and requirements?

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Every rule specified in our race info is there to either ensure the safety, the comfort of participants, or to preserve the intended spirit of the race. Each of the rules has usually been borne out of a situation that occurred previously and has been implemented to mitigate this. Essentially, we are all adults and know right from wrong and the common-sense way to do things. If we stick to these, we won’t go far wrong.

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What weather can I expect?

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Because the race is in August, it will generally be expected that it will be warm. Please train in anticipation of this and take all necessary precautions to ensure your comfort and safety on the day.

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What if I have any medical conditions?

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If you suffer from any medical conditions, please ensure that you place a Red Cross on your race number before race day and write your medical conditions on the back of the race number with an I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) contact also.

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What do I do in the event of an emergency?

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In case of an accident or a runner wishing to retire and no mobile signal is available, either walk to the nearest checkpoint if it is safe to do so or ask a passing runner/walker/marshal to pass on details of the incident and personal details to the nearest checkpoint. If you do retire from the race between checkpoints, please contact the race director as soon as possible to explain the situation. We do not want to be alerting emergency services when a runner is actually sitting in a pub. If you come across a runner who is injured or in distress, you must stop and see if you can assist, contact the race director, or inform marshals. There will be non-competing runners on the course who will act as sweepers; they will be there to help.

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What about hazards on the course?

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The route follows cliff paths and is hazardous in certain places. As organizers, we will highlight potential hazards, but you must be aware that there may be other hidden dangers. Do not attempt to overtake on narrow/dangerous sections; please wait until it is safe to do so and allow faster runners to overtake when safe. If you do not feel that you can continue, please inform a marshal at the next checkpoint, contact the race director, or inform other runners. Remember, it may be hot, windy, or wet, so please take care!

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Are there shuttle buses for the relay, marathon, and half marathon?

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There is no shuttle bus for the above races. We are a very small race and don’t have resources to facilitate this. For transportation options, consider local bus services or taxi companies.

Can I fundraise during the event?
Yes, participants are encouraged to fundraise for causes dear to them. If you plan to use your participation to raise money, such as through a JustGiving page, you are welcome to do so. We suggest informing us about your plans so we can help promote your cause through our event channels.

How are finish times recognized in the ultra marathon?
Finish times in the ultra marathon are recognized with different colored ribbons on the medals:

Gold Ribbon: 0-8 hours
Silver Ribbon: 8-10 hours
Bronze Ribbon: 10-12 hours
Achieve these finish times to receive a ribbon that celebrates your accomplishment.

What happens when spots sell out?
Once the designated 250 spots are sold out, no additional entries will be accepted. This limit ensures a personalized and high-quality experience for all participants. Please register early to secure your spot.

Will there be a relay option this year?
For this year’s event, we have decided to focus on the half marathon, marathon, and ultra marathon distances. There will be no relay option available.

What if I need to defer my participation?
You can defer your registration to next year’s event until one month before the race. Please contact us to arrange this. Note that after this period, deferrals will not be possible.

How should I prepare for race day weather?
Typically, August weather can be warm; however, conditions can vary. We recommend training in various weather conditions and planning your race day attire and hydration strategy accordingly.

Can I bring spectators to the event?
Spectators are welcome to support runners along the course at designated safe spots. However, for everyone’s safety, we ask spectators to avoid congested areas and follow any guidelines provided on race day.

I haven’t received a confirmation email or any race information, but my friends have. What should I do?

If you haven’t received your confirmation email or race information, please follow these steps:

Check Your Spam/To Delete or Junk Folder: Sometimes emails from new contacts or automated systems can end up in your spam or junk folder.

Verify Email Address: Ensure that the email address you provided during registration is correct. Mistypes are common and can prevent emails from reaching you.

Update Preferences: If you have previously unsubscribed from our emails, you may need to resubscribe or adjust your email preferences to receive race communications.

Contact Us: If you’ve checked the above and still haven’t received your confirmation, please contact us. Provide your registration details (name, registration date, and payment confirmation if available), and we will assist you as promptly as possible. Bear in mind these races are organised in our spare time, so other life events often take priority, however we will come back to you in a reasonable timeframe.

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The Round the Rock Ultra is designed to be a challenging and rewarding experience for all participants. By adhering to the rules and requirements, preparing adequately, and respecting the course and fellow runners, you will be able to enjoy a memorable race day.

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More FAQ’s here