Shires and Spires
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Shires and Spires 2026
The Shires and Spires event is a multi-terrain race held in Northamptonshire. It starts and finishes at Naseby Village Hall in Naseby, a historic village connected to the Battle of Naseby in 1645. The course passes through countryside and past landmarks such as Holdenby House, Althorp House, and Cottesbrooke House.
The race direction alternates each year: clockwise on even years and anti-clockwise on odd years.
Five distances are offered:
- Ultra Marathon: 35 miles (multi-terrain).
- Marathon: 26.6 miles (mixed road and trail).
- Three-Quarter Marathon: 19.1 miles (mixed road and trail).
- Half Marathon: 13.4 miles (mixed road and trail).
- 10K: 10 kilometers (road only).
For the longer distances, organizers provide a GPS tracker and navigation aid app. The event includes aid stations with water and snacks. Cut-off times apply for all distances except the 10K. Standard entry fees range from £24 to £60, with a higher fee for on-the-day entry.
A charity entry option is available for an upfront £10 admin fee, requiring a commitment to raise a specific minimum amount. Age limits for entry are 16+ for the 10K, 17+ for the Half Marathon, and 18+ for the longer distances. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
