HOTH OUTRAGEOUSLY MAD HATTER Endurance Race 2025

Saturday 29th of March 2025

And now for something completely different...

With a change to the 2025 HOTH season due to maintenance works on everyone's favourite bridge, there will be only ONE HOTH event in 2025 - The Outrageously Mad Hatter!

The HOTH Mad Hatter usually signals the start of the HOTH Event Series with a 6 and 9 hour daytime race, however... Due to important maintenance works scheduled to take place on both walkways from the 1st of April 2025, no events will take place on the bridge between that date and 2026, which means 2025 will see only ONE HOTH event! So, we thought we'd make it a little bit special...

As a one off, the Mad Hatter will get outrageous, and include a 6, 12 and 24 hour races instead of the usual 6 and 9, just so those who like to run around for a little longer won't miss the bridge too much in 2025!

Technically it'll be spring, and you'll be surrounded by the fresh green grass, new leaves, and lots of daffodils after the darkness of winter. However, whether it'll be torrential rain like 2019, or t shirt weather like 2022 is yet to be seen. Snow and sleet are not off the table either... This all means that there'll be a whole new dynamic to consider. Specifically, that it may be a bit colder than usual after. The good news is that regardless of the weather, the clocks go forward the following day, so you'll have an hour less in bed to recover. The days will be longer and lighter though, so that's something...

24 Hour

Many have asked for a 24 hour option, and this is currently offered subject to numbers. If we don't reach the minimum number of participants for the 24 hour event, which will run 8am - 8am, you'll receive a full refund, or the offer of a place in the 12 hour race and a partial refund.

Provisional Event Times

24 - 08:00

12 - 18:00

6 - 18:00
Competitors will take on the tough and demanding Hell On The Humber route on the World famous Humber Bridge for either 6, 12, or potentially 24 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 bling medal, too!

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.

Cancellation and postponement

And finally... If the world goes down the rabbit hole again as it did with Covid, the Humber Bridge Board need to close the site, or one of the many possible calamities get in the way of the event going ahead in person, your place will be transferred (complete with finisher tee and medal) to a V HOTH Virtual Race. However, race cancellation or postponement will be a last resort, and done in line with instructions 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.

OPERATIONAL CAVEAT

1. The Humber Bridge is a key active site in the local transport infrastructure, and maintenance and transport operations are always a priority. Urgent maintenance or incidents may require short notice changes or delays to events, and where this happens, entries will be automatically transferred to an 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, over 40 years old!

2. The only thing that has stopped us in over a decade of HOTH is Covid 19! and essential walkway maintenane. 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.

Host or Publisher Karl Jackson - HOTH Event Director