Fair runner policy

We're runners ourselves and we are not fans of the very harsh entry conditions of some events, basically no refunds, no transfers, no nothing and expect you to enter and pay your money a year in advance and that's it. Tough luck. We hate losing entry fees because we're injured or work, or family commitments crop up that we cannot control and couldn't possibly have known about when we entered.

We also know that runners appreciate that race directors have big financial commitments to their events, medals have to be ordered many months in advance and for small events like our own, they form a very large percentage of the entry fees which we're paying many months before the event. So whilst we can't offer a perfect solution to this, we can offer what we think is a fair policy.

By agreeing to take part in one of our events you agree

1) I am fully aware of the actual and potential risks in participation in this event.
2) I declare that I will not compete in the race unless I am medically fit on the day of the race and that, in any case, I will compete at my own risk.
3) To the extent permitted by law, I accept that the organisers and sponsors of the race, or any of their agents, will not be liable for any loss, damage, action, claim, costs or expenses, which may arise in consequence of my participation of the event.

For events with Reusable Medals

1) If the event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, snow, adverse weather or similar then we'll offer a free transfer to a re-arranged date or the following years event.
2) You can transfer your place(s) from one of our events to another future event of ours (as long as places are available) within 7 days of the event start date. If the event you wish to transfer to has a higher entry cost, we'll just ask you to pay the difference.
3) For multi-day events you can swap from one day to another, for example a Saturday to a Sunday, up until 7 days before the event start date.
4) You can transfer your place to another runner up until 7 days before the event start date.

Events with One Off Medals

1) If the event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, snow, adverse weather or similar then we'll offer a free transfer to a re-arranged date or the following years event.
2) You can transfer your place(s) from one of our events to another future event of ours (as long as places are available) within 30 days of the event start date. If the event you wish to transfer to has a higher entry cost, we'll just ask you to pay the difference.
3) For multi-day events you can swap from one day to another, for example a Saturday to a Sunday, up until 30 days before the event start date.
4) You can transfer your place to another runner up until 30 days before the event start date.

No refunds

In line with just about every other running event on the planet we operate a no refunds policy. We simply cannot afford otherwise, we commit to spending thousands of pounds on medals and minimum fees to venues and if everyone said "refund please", we'd be hugely out of pocket in no time. Not to mention that we are unable to recover fees from Paypal either, so not only would be repaying entry fees we'd be paying a premium to do so.

We do allow the transfer of places though so if you wish to sell a place then feel free to do so, but note the time periods above, 7 days is the absolute limit before the event. It is acceptable to post messages on our Facebook page or Facebook group.

The minimum information we need is a runners name and email address. Also please note that we're not going to be involved in this process. We have copious amounts of administration to take care of and helping people sell places isn't amongst those tasks! So if you're selling a place the one and only bit of correspondence we'd like is one email with a can I transfer this place to x, y & z.

FAQs

Aid Station

This is typical of the sort of aid station supplies that we have at our events. Note things like cake, cookies, fudge, crisps and chocolate and the absence of anything involving "isotonic" "gels" or "usual running stuff." We like our goodies when we run!

Challenge Events

The concept of runner friendly Challenge Events was created by our friends over at SVN, it basically means runners can choose to do what distance they wish within the time limits of the event. These are typically six hours or eight hours on hilly courses. A runner only needs to complete one lap to be an official finisher. We usually try to create loops that allow a runner to also finish a marathon type distance fairly closely. At the end of each lap a runner can choose to "ring out", ringing the bell to signify they are done for the day or carry on and complete another lap. If you complete over 26 miles then you're an official marathon finisher, over 27 miles then an official ultra finisher. (These are declared distances, not what it may say on a GPS device!).

This style of event is very popular as partners and friends can take part in the same event and complete different distances at different speeds, or runners can use them for "long runs" building up to marathon distance or just to run in a zero pressure friendly environment as there is no pressure to go fast or slow. Nobody minds how quickly or how slowly you go and indeed its very hard to figure out who is "first" or "last" and it really doesn't matter, the important thing being that runners enjoy themselves in a friendly environment.

Children

Would parents please note that we do not provide creche services for children, nor is the base camp/start/finish area an entertainment area for children either. Please therefore do not leave your child alone in these areas for us to "keep an eye on" and don't let children entertain themselves around the runners, helpers and supporters. It may come as a surprise to some parents that runners with 20 or 30 miles on their legs actually don't enjoy stepping around children and we wish to maintain a safe environment for everyone and children in the vicinity of tired runners are both a hazard to themselves and to runners.

Children running

We do allow children to take part in our events with the following conditions.

1) They must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

2) They are subject to distance guidelines as generally recognised by the running community. These are as follows

Aged 11-12 5000 metres

Aged 13-14 6000 metres

Aged 15 years 10000 metres

Aged 16 years 15000 metres

Aged 17 years 25000 metres

Dogs

Unfortunately you cannot run with dogs at our events. Running with dogs isn't included within the insurance coverage that we operate under and thus we can't allow this in case there is an incident or accident.

Early starts

Although a few events do allow these we do not.

Firstly we simply disagree with them on principle, what event is an early start part of? Secondly it creates timing, logistical and safety issues, we're up early enough as it is on race days and it's unfair on helpers, volunteers, course markers and so on to be expected to be there even earlier, a six hour event can easily mean being on site for ten plus hours as it is. Thirdly, if you allow these things then events can quickly become farcical. If you have a one hour early start, people will start asking for two, a six hour challenge, becomes an eight hour one, then someone wants to start four hours early and so on.

Events have clear start times and time limits, no early starts.

Facebook Groups

We have a Facebook group for runners to chat about RunBelievable events. We're all grown ups so we're not going to police this hugely but please note any spamming, abuse or off topic things will likely just get deleted and/or earn people a ban. We're all just real friendly, low key and any one who isn't will wonder where the group vanished to as we'll just ban/block and that'll be the end of it! We also have a Facebook page where updates about our events will be posted.

GFA/Championship times

From 2019 (and onwards) London Marathon required that only times submitted from UKA Licensed Road Marathons can be used. The requirements for these are far too onerous for a small events company like RunBelievable to accommodate, we like small, friendly events, not ones where we have to have race arbiters, race referees, lead bikes and everyone wearing day glow tabards.

There are maybe 30 events in the UK a year that have a UKA Road Licence so hopefully for our quicker runners you'll still be able to earn those cracking times at those events!

Waitlists

We currently have no plans to use a waitlist. If places become available for a sold out event, these will be posted on the Facebook page and will be given out on a first come first served basis.

What will I receive?

Of course you will receive a bespoke medal for your efforts. Don't forget to let us know if you think you have earned any special RunBelievable badges.

You will also receive an extra special treat, which will more often than not be CHOCOLATE!

Doing our bit...

Our plan for our events is to be 100% rubbish free. We will be completely "cupless" which means we will not be supplying any bottles or plastic cups, instead we ask can all runners bring their own named bottle or cup which can be replenished freely at the water station. If after the event any runners or spectators have anything to dispose of, please could you take it home with you! All biscuits, cakes, sweets etc used on our aid station will be in Tupperware boxes which will be washed and reused for the next event.

We are really committed to this and believe together we can all make a difference, so we thank you all in advance for helping us eliminate waste and plastic usage!