Ashby 20, the race that is is perfect for London/ Manchester marathon in the training calendar. Easy registration (but sells out very fast) with great directions to parking and the start. Good race briefing and aid stations well stocked, the race is 2 loops of an undulating course that can be testing at times. If you want to test the legs pre marathon a great place for it. There is no medal but you receive a hooded top in place and a cheese cob (the nicest one you’ll eat all day) all in all a great event.

I've done Ashby a couple of times in recent years and it's a really well organised event (as a man I particularly like the outside urinals with very short queues near the start of the race!). The marshals must be runners or their families as they're so supportive and encouraging, shouting support, ringing bells, clapping and blasting out music at various points around the course. Expect slight inclines throughout rather than really steep hills (although they feel steeper on lap 2), and no crowds other than at the start, at Packington around 10 miles in and the finish. The hoodie is great, as are the drinks and snacks provided at the end. No medal but I much prefer the hoodie. Off to the London Marathon next, and this run has set me up nicely. Thanks to the organisers, it must be a mammoth effort.

First time entrant to this event and I'd definitely do it again. A looped course on nice country roads, where you do two loops and then head back to the start. Great atmosphere at the event and not over crowded. I can see why this event sells out so quick. The hoody at the end is a nice touch and something different. It is quite expensive to enter but the hoody makes up for it. Will return to this event.

Great pre spring Marathon 20 miler. Not my best race as I made the rookie error of giving blood the day before. I really felt sluggish through out and won't be doing that again. As for the route and race due to my lethargy I struggled on what I though was a very hilly course. long climbs and what didn't seem to be much rest bite between them. It was well supported around the villages and quiet out on the roads. This race normally sells out very quickly and comes with an amazing goody bag and a hoody which I wear with pride often. This is one race I feel I would like to do again as wanted to enjoy it more than I did on the day.

This event sells out within 30 minutes and I can see exactly why, a running event put on by a running club, local to me and some brilliant scenery along a great route. The event is perfectly timed for Marathon season and training for the full distance, it was my furthest run and was so worth working towards. To register for the event both my wife & I had our phones at the ready, as the clock struck 7pm back in October I entered, but you have to be quick. Now a quick warning, if you want race bling and a shiny medal, this is not the race for you, but if you'd like an iconic hoody and a delicious cheese cob with a goody bag of treats then this is well worth it, plus the local pub put on a free carvery for every runner. The route is two laps of 10 miles and passes lots of villages along the way, past local pubs and farms, plenty of places for family and supports to cheer you on. The roads are closed in one direction but the cars passing the other way are mainly supporters and cyclists cheering you on. To start you arrive at the bath grounds then are walked for 5 minutes up to the road where it will start, but lots of volunteers and support to help guide people and inform of what is happening. There is a slow incline through Swepstone and up towards Heather but once up more locals are out to cheer you through the village, plenty of marshalls along the route too. The roads are mainly country roads with hedges either side and some great views, the route loops back round and more hills as you head back towards Ashby and over the M42, this on the second lap becomes tough, whoever put hills at miles 18 & 19 is evil. The route then goes back down the gravel path towards the Bath Grounds where there are lots of locals and supports cheering at the finish, the announcer will call out your name as you summon whatever energy you have left to muster up a sprint finish and a smile for the finish line photographers. An event I'd recommend and would love to come back each year to attend and try to beat the previous, a great day out and lovely to have something so local that is so iconic to run.

A fantastic local event that sits perfectky in the calendar for any spring marathoners. Ive done this race for 6 years row albeit last years race was csncelled due to the beast from the east. I find its a early season run that sets me up for the year and gets me out during those cold dark winter months. The course is tough, its hilly and two loops which is mentally tough, i always joke about them putting in the hills on the second lap but thats how it seems!! Save something in your legs for the last mile too as its an uphill grind. One of the unique things sbout this event is the finisher hoodie which can then be worn as a badge of honour throughout the running season, every year they change the colour and its always great to get to the finish and see it, that and the cheese cob which is a staple in the goodie bag at the end. If you’re interested in this event be sure to set an alarm when entries go on sale as it sells out in 30 mins nowadays so best of luck!!

I absolutely loved this race – the course and the support from the marshals were amazing. I was really worried that this course was going to be super hilly but it really wasn’t, yes, its hilly but they are nice slow, steady and rolling hills. The water stations were fantastic, so many people at them and all so quick to pass you water, gels or sponges (it was very hot!). I think every single marshal out there called my name and gave me support which was awesome.

Parking was really easy and simple beforehand, with a short walk through town to the start. Awesome hoody and of course cheese cob afterwards.

100% would recommend as marathon training race and 100% will be back

This was very well organised mile markers were placed and lots of Marshall’s felt very safe all along the course they were very encouraging to . It is a very hilly race and was hard in the 2nd loop round towards the end but it’s worth doing as you get a lovely hoodie and a really nice cotton goodie bag with several treat bars water and a banana. No medal at this one but love my hoodie.

Honestly can’t fault this race . From the parking , to the meeting point in the bath grounds with the easy bag drop , the stalls etc the marshalls did a fantastic job on a warm day . Every runner ( i was near) did not mind a chat whilst running which helped me . You don’t get a medal but do recieve a fantastic hoody and cheese cob . Great race but very undualating too (imo).