Run from the Romans happens in the surroundings of Ham Hill Country Park just outside of Yeovil in South Somerset and near the villages of Odcombe, Montecute, Stoke-sub-Hamdon and Norton-sub-Hamdon. The country park forms an excellent backdrop for running in thanks to it’s iron age hill fort, modern and ancient quarries, woods and numerous historic sites and monuments. Our race HQ is the Ranger Hut (it’s bigger than a hut) near the Prince of Wales pub.
Ham Hill is named for the Ham stone which is quarried from it. A distinctive golden limestone that looks amazing in the setting sun. The race takes in two areas of the former iron age hill fort. The most fortified part is near the war memorial and our race takes in this area and it’s ramparts. We also go through Hedgecock Woods which now grows on the slopes and ramparts of part of the more residential area of the hill fort. The race also takes in some of this residential area running around the meadows that now cover these areas. The remains of a Roman garrison and villa are in the area though hard to discern. More recent ruins and monuments are clearly visible on the route.
The race is on a 5 mile course with 2 laps for the 10 miler. We’ve gone for this option so we can mark the course with plenty of signage and course markings. There will be refreshments at the end and on the course, with the refreshments at the end also serving as the halfway aid station for the 10 miler. We are also planning an aid station on the course in a location yet to be determined (there is a short list). The course will be well marked with plenty of signs with reflective elements, reflective course markings and lights to guide you around.
Terrain varies from small bits of tarmac, a lot of gravel paths as well as mud paths some exposed rocks and a fair amount of grass. With the time of year we’d expect trail shoes to be a good idea but watch the group Facebook page for updates in the week of the race.
You will need to wear a head torch to race and carry spare batteries or a backup torch, a limited number of which will be available to hire or buy on the night. We recommend emailing to book.
All finishers will receive a finishers medal for the 5 or 10 miles.
Age limits 17 and above for 5 miles, 18 and above for 10 miles.
Time Limit 2h 15
Race Limit 250 (combined total)
Costs
5 miles is £17 affiliated or £19 unaffiliated
10 miles £19 affiliated or £21 unaffiliated
Canicross – decision pending but we hope to allow this for the 5 mile version
Best dressed runner
1st, 2nd and 3rd Men and Ladies and then 1st in age cats for men and women, 40+, 50+ and 60+
Team prizes for the speediest teams/clubs on the course and also for the best performing teams in the 10 mile race. With four runners to count (including at least one women or one man in the speedy competition). To enter this please send in your team’s 5k or park run PBs with links to the race. This may need working out after the event as any team could win. We’ll be adding a form or document for this later so watch social media.
Parking on Ham Hill is plentiful in numerous small car parks. Please park sensibly as the race limit will see all the car parks fully utilised. Ham Hill is a popular tourist attraction in the middle of nowhere and as such has been targeted by criminals in the past including when hosting races. We will have marshals patrolling the four Lime Kiln and Norton car parks. Please do not leave valuables visible in your car and if possible take them from the car. These are the largest but more secluded car parks. Other smaller road side car parks are more visible but will not be patrolled. We aim to have a free watched baggage area at this race and will update this information closer to the race once we’ve worked the space to use for this. Currently considered options are a locked office or an attended gazebo within a few metres from the finish line. Although these would be attended baggage storage items would be left at the owner’s risk.
The postcode for Ham Hill is TA14 6RW. If approaching from Odcombe the patrolled car parks are on the left and right shortly after you pass hilltop house on the left on your way to Ham Hill. If approaching Stoke-sub-Hamdon after driving to the top of Ham Hill (it’s very steep – you’ll know when you’re at the top) go straight on ignoring a road on the left that quickly branches into two (the pub and race HQ are down these), also ignore a road down the hill on the right. The next four turnings off the road are for the main car parks. The Race HQ is a short walk from here.
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