I entered this race as it gave me the opportunity to complete an Ultra whilst also allowing my family to enjoy the event, participate in a lap with me and enjoy all of the other activities that Ratrace put on over the weekend.

Its billed as a 'family festival', and I can see this being a great family event... if the weather plays game. Unfortunately in 2019 the weather was atrocious which meant that a lot of the extra family activities (inflatables, segways, climbing wall, nerf guns etc) weren't operating most of the time due to the high winds and rain. Of course this isn't the festival organisers fault, however it did restrict the amount of fun my family had at the event.

The race itself is a 5k trail course with a few small hills. Virtually all offroad across fields and through woods, which can get very muddy if the weather is bad but I would imagine would be very compact in 'normal' June weather. 

You get to run as many laps as you like in 8 hours and can pay an extra fee to 'go ultra' by completing 50k (10 laps) and getting an extra medal and unique t-shirt. Note there is nothing to stop you doing 50k or more without paying extra... you just wouldnt get the additional bling and tee. The standard medal is pretty good anyway!

The course can get pretty monotonous after a number of laps, as any multi lap event would, and most ultra runners skipped all of the 'obstacles'.

Whilst the obstacles may be fun to entertain the younger kids for a lap or 2, I wouldn't really call this an obstacle race... more a trail run with a few distractions on the way round. The 'obstacles' consisted of a fun fair (toss the hoop over the peg / ball in the bucket style games), a few different inflatibles, inflatible water crossing, cargo nets, monkey bars, some logs and seesaws and a 'laundrette' (basically a large crate filled with bubbles), all evenly spread out through the 5k course.

Whilst there is little food / drink stations on the course (1 water stop midway round), you can access a 'transition area' to access your own food / drink at the start / finish area (if you have paid to 'go ultra') or can leave a bag with supplies at a seperate bag drop just off from the main course start / finish.

Ratrace do put on good entertainment at their events. There is a good camping area, even allowing you (for a fee) to park next to your tent / campervan. Then they have a very large merch / beer / food / shelter tent and put on a band in the evening.

If you are looking for a challenging or scneic ultra then this propbably isn't for you, however if you want to combine some ultra running with a family festival then its potentially a great event... assuming the British weather is kind!