The Drop - Birmingham
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The Drop - Birmingham
The Drop is a stripped-back navigation challenge held at Blackroot Bistro, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield. Participants are transported to an undisclosed location and must find their own way back to the event centre without route markers or external guidance. The objective is to navigate back independently.
Available distances:
- 15 miles - original and longest option, measured as the crow flies.
- 10 miles - shorter core Drop, same rules and deployment.
- 6 miles - reserved for non-locals only to prevent local advantage.
At registration participants hand over all electronic devices, watches, and navigational aids. Each person receives a race number and a sealed emergency bag to carry for the duration. Deployment is by bus while wearing blackout blindfolds or approved alternatives; the blindfolds are removed at the drop to start the challenge.
Key rules include no GPS, no unauthorised maps, on-foot travel only, and disqualification if the emergency bag seal is broken. Entries for the 6 mile option may be checked to confirm non-local status. Live GPS tracking is offered as an optional, paid feature with an accuracy of around 5 metres; trackers must be returned at the end or a replacement fee of £175 will apply. Distances are quoted as the crow flies and actual travel distance will be longer. Entrants must be aged 18 or over on event day. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
