The Drop - Durham
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The Drop - Durham: overview
The Drop - Durham is an orienteering-style endurance event held at The Cartologist, North Road, Durham, DH1 4NQ. The next scheduled race is on 09/08/2026. Entrants can choose between two distances and can enter alone or as part of a team:
- 15-mile
- 10-mile
Format and rules
At registration participants hand over electronic devices and navigational aids and receive a race number and an emergency bag. Competitors board a bus, wear blackout blindfolds or an approved alternative, and are taken to an undisclosed drop-off location. From that point participants must find their own way back to the event centre. Distances are measured as the crow flies; actual travel distance may be longer.
The event provides no map, GPS, route, help, or compass unless organisers supply a map. Rules include sealing any tracking device in the provided emergency bag, no unauthorised maps, and no shortcuts. Breaking the emergency bag seal leads to disqualification. Blindfolds may be replaced with blackout safety goggles if needed.
Tracking and logistics
Live GPS tracking is offered as an optional, paid feature; organisers send login details a few days before the event. Trackers are accurate to about 5 metres but can be affected by tall buildings and placement. All trackers must be returned after the event or a £175 replacement fee applies. Parking is available in the town centre; the nearest railway station is a 10 minute walk and the bus station is about 5 minutes from event HQ. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
