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RACE DAY INFO

Event Day Instructions

Familiarise yourself with all of the key event day information ahead of the race.

ARRIVAL & PARKING

  • Use the designated car park at the top of Merthyr Mawr Lane (Postcode: CF32 0LS).
  • Follow EVENT signage from the A48 Ewenny Roundabout and then the car park signs (green/yellow arrows).
  • Free parking is provided, but please car share where possible to reduce congestion.
  • Remember your parking row and allow extra time during peak arrival periods.
  • The start/finish area and event village are a short walk down a narrow lane and field path – please follow traffic marshal instructions.

See the map below for all the key locations!

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KEY RACE TIMES

  • 08:30am – Rabbit Run Ultra
  • 12:00 pm – Rabbit Run Marathon & Relay
  • 3:00 pm – Bunny Run (2K)
  • 3:30 pm – Double Bunny (4K)
  • 3:55 pm – Toddler Dash
  • 4:00 pm – Rabbit Run 12K

NUMBER COLLECTION

Collect your race bib on arrival from the appropriate tent:

  • Ultra: Opens at 07:30am
  • Marathon/Relay: Opens at 11:00 am
  • 12K & Junior Races: Open at 2:00 pm
  • Please bring your own safety pins if possible.
  • Wear your bib on the FRONT of your t-shirt.
  • Please arrive in plenty of time before your race.
  • Visit the Event Information tent for any queries.

Click here for more information.

START LINE & PENS

  • The start line is in front of Merthyr Mawr House.
  • Runners line up in numbered pens based on your bib number.
  • Pens open 5 minutes before each start to minimise waiting.
  • Listen out for announcements from the PA for updates.
  • Runners will be released in small groups for safer spacing.
  • If you feel unwell, injured, or see someone in distress, alert the nearest marshal.
  • Please run within your capabilities for the conditions.


BAGGAGE

  • Baggage drop is next to number collection. Use the tear-off strip on your bib for ID.
  • Ultra: opens at 07:30am
  • Marathon/Relay: Opens at 11:00 am
  • 12K: Opens at 2:00 pm
  • No bag drop for junior races – please travel light.


TOILETS

  • ​Toilet facilities located behind the event village.
  • Urinals available (behind the portaloos)
  • Please sanitize hands after use.


COURSE NOTES

  • Expect firm ground, sand, and some narrow, single-file sections – the natural topography of the course is not altered for the event, so please come prepared for the conditions. Trail running shoes are recommended.
  • There is a river crossing in Merthyr Mawr Village and in the final mile of the 12K, Marathon, Ultra and final leg of the relay race. The water level is low, but a rope will be provided and marshals will assist. There is also an alternative bridge option available (please ask a nearby marshal for information).
  • Phones/electronics: You are responsible for keeping them dry and may wish to hand your phone to a marshal who can safely transport it across to the other side of the river crossing.
  • Expect narrow lanes – watch out for farm vehicles that may take up the full width of the road, horses and cyclists and please be courteous.
  • If you feel unwell, injured, or see someone in distress, alert the nearest marshal.

FINISH AREA

  • Collect your medal and refreshments in the finish funnel.
  • Presentations for top 3 male & female finishers will be at the finish area. Age group awards will be sent later.

HYDRATION & WEATHER

  • Dress for conditions; trails may be slippery if wet.
  • 12K Water Stops: 3 miles (Candleston Farm), with an extra station at Merthyr Mawr Village (“the Triangle”), with paper cups offered.
  • Water refill points available post-race.
  • We recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.

MARATHON RUNNERS – EXTRA INFO
View the course map / download the Marathon GPX file here for navigation on the day, and familiarise yourself with the kit list ahead of the race.

  • Some self-navigation required – download the GPX route in advance
  • Be familiar with the kit list ahead of the event

There will be check points and feed stations at:

  • 10.7K: Merthyr Mawr Village
  • 15.5K: West Farm
  • 26.3K: Lamb & Flag (Wick)
  • 35.6K: Fox & Hounds (St Brides)
  • Finish: Event Village

Runners also pass the Plough & Harrow pub at 21.5km and a help yourself table on the drive of a house in Castle Upon Alun at 30km approx (look for the Welsh Flag!)

Spectators can support the Marathon runners on the road at the following cafes/pubs – see locations and approximate times for first and last runner below:

  • Southerndown/West Farm (12:55–2:32 pm)
  • Lamb & Flag Wick (1:30–4:12 pm)
  • Fox & Hounds St Brides (2:03–5:46 pm)

We ask that any supporters please park responsibly at any of the above.

ULTRA (65K) FEED STATIONS

10.2K: Merthyr Mawr Village

17K: West Farm

27K: Atlantic College

37.7K: Llantwit Major Beach

48.8k: Lamb & Flag (Wick)

57k: Fox & Hounds (St Brides)

Finish: 65K HQ

START/FINISH SPECTATORS

View the 12K course map here.

  • Welcome, but avoid crowding start/finish areas.
  • Great viewing along the course and tables/chairs/blankets are available in the picnic area.

EVENT VILLAGE

  • Stalls: Food stalls (burgers, pizzas, coffees), Bar (hot and cold snacks, breakfast/lunch), Purendure energy gels.
  • Club Area: Space for club tents – secure them properly with pegs.
  • Tables/chairs/blankets are available.

CAMPING

Candleston Woods is a luxury campsite based on the Merthyr Mawr Estate, with camping options available for those taking part in Rabbit Run Wales. Click here for more information or to book (pre-booking essential).

FOREST SAUNA

Relax and unwind at Rabbit Run Wales with The Outdoor Sauna – a wood fired sauna hidden away in a beautiful woodland, with a panoramic window that immerses you in the beautiful surroundings. Click here to book a session (pre-booking is essential and on-the-day bookings are not available).

MEDICAL

St John Ambulance will be present. Some areas are harder to access, so stay safe and alert a marshal if needed.

COURSE MAPS

Rabbit Run 12K – Click Here

Rabbit Run Marathon – Click Here

EVENT STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

All marshals and race volunteers can be identified by their Orange “Event Crew” t-shirts at the start/finish and around the route. Don’t forget to say thank you to them for giving up their time, directing and making the event safe and secure for you!

RELAY CROSS OVERPOINTS

Please find below the location indicators for each relay leg to help you plan accordingly for the Rabbit Run Marathon relay. We use What3Words to provide the most accurate start points for each leg.

Important: The What3Words locations and postcodes listed below indicate the start point of each relay leg only. The finish point of each leg is the start point of the following leg. Leg 5 finishes back at the event start/finish location (///stocks.clots.danger), completing the relay.

o Leg 1 – 11.79km (Start to Stepping Stones) – Rabbit Run Event Village 

What3Words -///stocks.clots.danger

o Leg 2 – 4.91km (Stepping Stones to West Farm, Southerndown) – CF32 0QP

 What3Words – ///pinks.gift.spout

o Leg 3 – 9.5km (West Farm to Lamb & Flag, Wick) – CF32 0PY

What3Words – ///crinkled.clutter.globe

o Leg 4 – 9km (Lamb & Flag, Wick to the Fox, St Brides Major) – CF71 7QE

What3Words – ///puddles.regress.tour

o Leg 5 – 7km (The Fox, St Brides Major to the Finish) – Rabbit Run Event Village

 What3Words – ///dunes.skin.elder 

Relay Changeovers

This is a traditional relay format, meaning that one runner arrives and their teammate departs immediately. There are no scheduled departure times at the changeover points.

Teams must hand over the timing chip just before crossing the timing mat.

It is each team’s responsibility to ensure that outgoing runners arrive in plenty of time and are ready to receive the chip from their incoming runner. If a runner arrives and their teammate is not present or ready, the race clock will continue to run and will not be paused.

Travel Between Relay Checkpoints

How teams choose to coordinate travel and movement between checkpoints is entirely at their own discretion. Teams are responsible for making their own arrangements and ensuring that runners are at each checkpoint in good time for the handover.

Relay Parking

Parking is available at each venue. To help ensure smooth access for all participants and other site users, we ask teams to arrive and depart promptly after their changeover and to avoid unnecessary congestion in the parking areas.