HOTH MAD HATTER Endurance Race 2023 - Live & In Person!

Saturday 25th March 2023

We're Back... Again

Covid is still running riot, but we've thankfully avoided any more more lockdowns, so HOTH is very happy to be back in 2023 with a huge sense of relief and normality! Including the return of the 9 hour event at Mad Hatter, the traditional HOTH season opener in March!

The HOTH Mad Hatter will kick off a year on the bridge for HOTH, and it'll do so with a 6 and 9 Hour daylight endurance race, starting at midday, or 9am for the 9! (see how we like to let you have a sleep in, and time for a full cooked breakfast?) As the cold misery of winter melts away, a HOTH in March is both the perfect way to push yourself by completing all four HOTH events, and a good way to ease yourself into your 2023 running season. Seriously, what better way to prep for a summer or autumn marathon than by spending 6 or 9 hours on your feet, running up and down on a big piece of metal with no flat parts?

Competitors will take on the tough and demanding Hell On The Humber route on the World famous Humber Bridge for either 6 Hours, as they try to complete as many 4 mile laps as possible in that time. There's no upper mileage limit, though are there are course records to be broken, and all we ask is that participants complete a minimum of one 4 mile lap every 3 hours. How hard could it be???

You don't have to be an Ultra runner to take part in the HOTH Event Series, though many experienced long distance runners from across the country and Europe return to the event year after year, and rack up some impressive distances. You don't even have to be a runner to take part, walkers are always welcome.  All we ask is that you complete the minimum number of laps, you're 16 or over for the 6 hour race (under 18's require parental consent); and that you be part of the event with the right attitude, that being one of enjoyment, personal challenge, inclusion, and support. Egos aren't welcome!  Every finisher receives the coveted finisher's shirt, and has their mileage added to the HOTH Leaderboard.  There's also a very bling finisher's medal! 

Environmentally Friendly HOTH

We try to be as low impact as we can be at HOTH, which means we don't hand out cups and plastic bottles, and we expect everyone to take their own litter home with them. We do have bin bags, we do provide sweets and snacks, and water jerricans to top up your water bottles, but the days of races leaving a trail of trash behind them are hopefully long in the past. Participants should be self sufficient and responsible.

Covid 19

In all likelihood, Covid is going to be with us for many years to come, and we're going to have to find new ways of living with it so we can continue to do the things we enjoy (like take part in HOTH!) This means that we may have to make adapatations here and there in response to the changing Covid situation, but we'll always keep you updated, and try to limit the impact on you.

It's important we all remember that any Covid rules or adaptations will be in place to protect our paticipants, crew, bridge staff, and members of the public who we share the site with. They're there to keep everyone safe, not to be awkward.

And finally... If the world goes down the rabbit hole, again, and the Government enforce lockdowns or other restrictions which prevent HOTH from going ahead in person, your place will be transferred (complete with finisher tee and medal) to a V HOTH Virtual Race. Howver, race cancellation or postponement will be a last resort, and done in line with Government instruction and advice. We don't anticipate it, but after two years of Covid fun and games, it's important that we plan for all eventualities.

Charity Runners

Many HOTH runners take part in the events to raise much needed funds for charities and good causes, and we encourage this and support the runners where possible.  Unfortunately, we're not able to offer any free races for these charity runners, as all of our free charity places are currently donated to the Ellie Penrose Fund.  The fund is a charity set up by the family of Ellie Penrose, a close friend, HOTH crew member and runner, and youngest ever HOTH competitor, to allow them to support young people in their sporting endeavours.  To take one of these five free charity places you should contact the race director - [email protected]

OPERATIONAL CAVEAT

1. The Humber Bridge is a key active site in the local transport infrastructure, and maintenance and transport operations are always a prority. Urgent maintenance or incidents may require short notice changes or delays to events, and where this happens, entries will be automatically transferred to the alternate date without charge to you. Please note that we have worked closely with the Humber Bridge Board for over a decade, and in this time we've had to make changes and adaptations, but no cancellations, though it's important that you understand it could happen. The bridge is, after all, 40 years old!

2. The only thing that has stopped us in over a decade of HOTH is Covid 19! While things have changed, and we hope that vaccines are doing the job, we need to accept that Covid is still here, and still causing chaos. If things take a turn for the worse again, we will have to follow government and local restrictions. If we need to postpone in line with safety or access regulations, your entry will be transferred with no expense to you.

3. We don't do refunds... Events take a lot of time and money to plan and deliver, and the investment starts up to a year before the event takes place. If we have to cancel or postpone due to events beyond our control, such as an emergency at the bridge, Covid, or similar, we will reschedule the event and transfer your entry automatically, or give you the option of taking part in a Virtual event.

The number of HOTH Event entries is strictly LIMITED, and we do NOT operate a waiting list.

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Host or Publisher Karl Jackson - HOTH Event Director