Not long to go now until we descend on to the Buckinghamshire countryside for the Hambleden Rat Race Green Belter. This serene estate, which has been the setting for such films as Sleepy Hollow, boasts some fantastic trails to run and bike along over a mixture of hilly forest and farmland. Nestled beside the mighty River Thames, it also provides us with an excellent opportunity to throw some great kayaking in to the mix too. What's more, Redwood Creek wine will be hosting a tasting tent with their delicious wines so you can toast your success after you race past the finishing post. So what’s the score? Well...

Hambleden Green Belter Format Update

Timings
Note: The start time is 1100

Saturday:
0900 – Registration opens
1030 – Pre-event briefing
1030 – Registration closes
1100 – Start
1200 - Wine tasting starts
1400 – First finishers expected
1600 – Last finishers expected
1630 – Course closes
1530 – Prizegiving

The Course
To make the most of the area and to ensure you get to sample all the best bits, there will be several colour-coded loops for you to complete in the following order:
Red Run Loop 1 - 4km* – This is a short burst along some tracks to get you warmed up and ready for the rest of the day ahead
Yellow Bike Loop - 20km* – One long bike loop this time taking you on a tour of this crackin' hilly estate before darting out along some surrounding country roads. Then it's back in to the estate for a final stage of tracks and trails. 
White Run Loop 2 - 12km* – You’re back on foot for a longer loop with a satisfyingly tough and enjoyable route winding along more excellent forest trails.
Blue Kayak Loop - 3km* – A short run from the event village takes you across a busy main road and to the river's edge. CAUTION WHEN CROSSING THE ROAD. After a short kayak you reverse your run back to the event village.

Each loop starts and finishes at the event village. *Distances are approximate

Note: For those of you who did previous Green Belters, please note the change of loop order (again!).

Kayaking - Accessed on foot within the Blue Kayaking loop
Obstacles - Along the course there will be several obstacles to keep you on your toes. You’ll just have to wait and see what they are but expect to get a bit wet & muddy.
The Green Machine - If that wasn’t enough, once you’ve completed all the loops you have one final hurdle to overcome, The Green Machine!

Conquer all that and you deserve to cross the line.

The course will be fully waymarked so no need to navigate your way round. When you register you will receive an info sheet including a detailed route map. We recommend you read this and take it with you. There will also be maps to view at the event village.

Safety & Conduct
Conduct - Although this is a relatively quiet forest there will be a few dog walkers, horseriders, cyclists etc. Please respect the forest and any other users and remain vigilant. Some of the course overlaps with running & biking on the same sections. Please be courteous to other participants, control your speed and warn others of your presence.

Accidents & injuries
Please look after each other, if you see someone in trouble please stop and help. Use the contact numbers provided on the ‘Belter Brief’ to seek help/advice. Failing this, use other participants to get a message to the nearest marshal who can call for help.

Litter
Do not drop litter while out on the course. You return to the event village several times where you can dispense with it.

Live roads
While on the Yellow Bike Loop you will travel along sections of quiet minor roads. These roads will be LIVE. Please obey the Highway Code and remain vigilant. While on the Blue Kayak Loop you will cross a potentially BUSY road. This will be manned however, extreme caution when crossing here.

Teams – if you are entered as a team, you must stay within 50m of each other.

Kit
You don’t need much to have a belter of an adventure but here are some essentials:

Mandatory Kit (*1 denotes per team sufficient):
- Mountain Bike
- Bike Helmet
- BIKE BELL
- Suitable clothing for running & biking in for all weather conditions
- Whistle & space blanket *
- 1st Aid Kit*
- MOBILE PHONE*

Recommended Kit (*1 denotes per team sufficient):
- Trainers you don’t mind getting wet & muddy
- Bike Lock *
- Compass *
- Towel/spare clothes for afterwards, expect to get wet!

Note: We’ve added MOBILE PHONE to the mandatory kit list. This is to allow you contact us in case of emergencies, medical or otherwise, or if there are any issues on the course. Keep in mind that you may get wet while out on the course so we recommend you keep it in a waterproof bag.

Note: We’ve upgraded BIKE BELL to the mandatory kit list. On sections of the course some tracks will be used for the running & biking loops. We’ve added a bike bell as a safety measure so you can warn others you are on your way. If you do not have a bike bell please be courteous and let your fellow participants know you are coming by giving them a little shout.

If you are short of any of this on the day, the Rat Race Store will be onsite to help you get geared up. You need no kit for kayaking – this is all provided (kayak, paddle and buoyancy aid).

Location
Hambleden Estate lies 3km E of Henley-on-Thames. Access to the event will be from the A4155 west of Mill End. From the East, pass through Mill End and continue past Henley Business School. Immediately after this, turn right through gates in to the event field and NOT into the farm buildings. From the West, continue towards Mill End, along the A4155. Continue past Benhams Lane junction until the next field on your left. Turn Left in to the event field. Follow the signs to the parking. Click here to view on a map.

Parking
There is plenty of parking space here, please follow marshal's instructions on where to park.The venue will have toilets and some marquee shelters, but please note that there are no changing or showering facilities or a water tap. There will be some drinking water available at the end of each loop and at the finish.

Registration
Registration The Registration will be open from 0900. Please come early to avoid queuing. Start list will be published at the registration. At the registration you will receive:

- Start number (Medial Form will be printed on the back of the Start Number. Please do not forget to fill it in)
- Safety pins
- Rat Race T-shirt (please note that there will be no fitting available, sizes will be on a display and will be give on first-come, first-served basis)
- Rat Race Buff
- ‘Belter Brief’ Info sheet
Make sure your race number is visible on you at all times during the event.

Rat Race Store
Rat Race Store will be on site for any kit advice, last minute bits n' bobs with a 2XU representative in attendance to give you the lowdown on their compression wear. Remember your Rat Race Reward £10 discount is only available online but we will be featuring these great offers at Hambleden:

- 20% off all Ron Hill
- 20% off 2XU compression wear
- 15% off all packs
- 15% off all shoes
- Half price on a selection of nutrition
- B.O.G.O.F on all Buffs

Redwood Creek Wine
Redwood Creek is a range of great-tasting Californian wines inspired by the great outdoors and characterised by rich, fruit flavours. Their mantra is to satisfy a taste for adventure so after a you’ve put yourself through your paces, relax over a glass of delicious tasting wine. Look out for their wine tasting tent in the event village and choose from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to enjoy with friends. 

PLUS on 4 September this year, we will be adding an extra special “end of season” Green Belter - The Redwood Creek Challenge - to the programme. The event will be fronted by celebrity duo Matt Dawson and Mitch Tonks as they campaign to get more men experiencing a taste for adventure and enjoying the great sporting outdoors. So come and enjoy a 4th Green Belter in Bedgebury, Kent, followed by a glass or two of wine, some great camping and some fantastic event village entertainments too. Watch out for an email introducing this extra special event very shortly...

Facilities
Catering – There will be some catering on hand to get refuelled after a full day’s adventure. They will be serving toasted sandwiches, teas, coffee and other refreshments and snacks. There will be water available at the finish and at the end of each loop however there is no water tap on site.
Toilets – There will be toilets available at the event village only.
Camping – Camping is available on site on Friday from 1800 and is available on Saturday night also. There will be toilets but no catering or showering facilities.

Crewing
We are still looking for more crew for this exciting event. Perhaps forward this newsletter to a friend that might like to help. Be entertained and do a sterling chunk of work for us on the course. Pre-event. During event. After event. Please email us at crew@ratraceadventure.com

Green Belter Team