Blakedown Bolt 21st June 2024!

The bolt with take place at 7.15pm on Friday 21st June 2024, and we’re really looking forward to seeing some old friends once more, as well as welcoming any first-time Bolters to our race. You can register for the race at stuWeb.

If you haven’t already been initiated into the Bolt, we should warn you that you probably won’t be setting any personal bests at this event.

It’s a tough course; there are hills, stiles and pinch points, as well as fab views, a water crossing and a wide variety of fields, woods and paths. All the quirky things in fact that make this one of the best-loved and most memorable 10km events in the West Midlands.

Oh, and did we mention the BBQ and bar at the end?

We hope you’ll join us, but that’s only going to be possible if you’re quick. We usually fill our last place sometime around the end of March, beginning of April. Just saying …

Race Details for 2024

Friday the 21st June @ 7:15pm

UK Athletics License : “applied for”

Race Director: Emily Swindells

Online Entry Fees (in advance) at StuWeb
Transfers can be completed online up to 1st Junes with no additional charge, by visiting www.stuweb.co.uk 
Transfers on the day can be completed but will incur a cost of £20.00 per transfer.

Please note that all entrants must be at least 16 years old on the day of the race.

Location

Blakedown Sports Field, off Birmingham Road, in good time for a 7.15pm start

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Marshalling

Our race relies on our fantastic marshals. Without their on-the-day help we wouldn’t be able to hold our event. They are all volunteers. Some are themselves runners, although most are just enthusiastic local residents who want to get involved. We would love to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours during the early evening of the event on the day. Please complete our I can Marshall form and we’ll be in touch. We get rave reviews for our marshals and we really can’t do this without you!

The Course

Is nicely varied, with a few hills and stiles along the way. Apart from some very short sections on quiet country roads, it’s almost entirely traffic-free. You’ll be running through beautiful Worcestershire countryside, taking in farmland and woodland, making a loop around Mount Segg. We can promise you superb views, heaps of variety and the much-loved/loathed water crossing!

Because of the rural, cross-country nature of the route, we do a HUGE amount of work on the course in the days leading up to the event. Please bear this in mind if you do a trial run beforehand, and rest assured that on race day it will be beautifully pruned and trimmed.

Race Route

The route begins with a lap of the sports field, then heads SW between Forge Pool and Ladies Pool, It includes short sections on quiet country lanes, but is predominantly along scenic woodland and field paths and circumnavigates Mount Segg.
Details and maps can be found here.

Race results

We’ll post the results here as soon as we can crunch the numbers!
Previous Race results can be found here

More information about the Race

We run the event to raise money for charity, and give our profits to local sporting-related causes. In 2016 we gave grants to Churchill & Blakedown Signal Box, Churchill & Blakedown Bowling Club, Blakedown Baby & Toddler Group, the ‘Mini Bolt’ organised by Blakedown Primary School PTA, Blakedown Recreation Rooms, the Hansel & Gretel Support Group, Blakedown Primary School and Blakedown Guides, Brownies and Rainbows.

All finishers receive a unique Blakedown Bolt memento, which is a genuine nut and bolt. We chose this to be a little different to other events, and to reflect the traditional forging and too-making industry that began locally in the 1700s.

There’s a licensed bar, refreshments and a BBQ from 6.30pm continuing until well after the end of the race.

Places for the Blakedown Bolt will be strictly limited. as always to make sure the course doesn’t get too clogged up. Prizes will be awarded in various categories, and all finishers will receive a Blakedown Bolt memento.

Prizes

Prizes are given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd man, 1st, 2nd, 3rd woman, 1st male veteran (40+,50+ and 60+), 1st female veteran (35+,45+ and 55+). Also there are prizes for the 1st gentleman and lady villagers. Prize Prize giving takes places at the finish of the race, as soon as possible after 8.30pm.

Assembly Blakedown Sports Fields, off Birmingham Road, in good time for a 7.15pm start

Grid Ref OS Explorer 219, Ref 882786

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Getting to the Event

Blakedown is on the railway line between Birmingham and Worcester and well served by trains. The station is approximately 3 minutes away from the start of the race.
Check train times on www.nationalrail.co.uk

Parking

There is limited free parking at various locations in Blakedown and we recommend you allow plenty of time to find a space and park safely. We encourage runners and supporters to share lifts or use public transport where possible.

Changing and toilets

We are delighted to offer excellent changing and showering facilities at the newly built Sports Pavilion on Blakedown Sports Field, including a disabled toilet.

Drinks

At least two water station during the course and one at the finish.

Sustainability

We are aiming to be as eco-friendly as possible by encouraging lift-sharing and the use of public transport. We also pledge to recycle all the bottles, cans and wastepaper at the event itself.

Bolt Grants

Could your non-profit organisation benefit from a grant from the Blakedown Bolt?

All profits from the Blakedown Bolt are donated to non-profit and charitable organisations, preferably with a sports or health-related connection, and preferably local to Blakedown.

If you’re involved with an organisation that could benefit, all you need to do is download a Bolt Grant Form and send it to us by email to admin@blakedownbolt.co.uk or by post to Blakedown Bolters, 59 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown, Kidderminster, DY10 3JG.

Grants are normally up to a maximum of £500.