The Rosebud Marathon
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Rosebud Marathon
The Rosebud Marathon is a 26.2-mile section of the Rose of the Shires Ultra Marathon held on Saturday 11 April 2026. The route starts on Ashton Road in Hartwell and finishes at Brixworth Country Park, just outside Northampton. Entry costs £46 and includes a GPS tracker. Registration takes place at Brixworth Country Park first. The event is open only to competitors aged over 18. The overall cut-off for the race is 8 hours; competitors must reach the first checkpoint by 15:00 and the second checkpoint by 17:00.
Course, support and logistics
The route is multi-terrain, approximately 60% trail and 40% road. The course composition is:
- 14 miles of cross country trails
- 10.4 miles of roads
- 1.8 miles of canal tow path
Total ascent is +1241 ft (+378 m) and total descent is -1308 ft (-399 m). The course is waymarked but requires some navigation and is covered by OS Maps 207 and 224. There are two manned checkpoints with water and snacks at about 9.5 miles (Gayton) and 17.7 miles (Nobottle). Road crossings are not marshalled. A Geo Tracks GPS tracker is provided; the unit uploads position frequently and gives live tracking and navigation support. Prizes are awarded for first to third male and female finishers; all finishers receive a medal and event merchandise. Mandatory kit includes a charged mobile phone, power bank, minimum 1 litre water carry, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, whistle, hat and gloves, and a long-sleeved base layer. Baggage can be stored at the finish; car parking is available at the country park. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
