The Summer Solstice is back on the 21st June 2024.
2024 will mark the 12th occasion of this midsummer evening 10km road race organised by Grantham Running Club in the quiet lanes around Long Bennington. While not pancake flat, the accurately measured course has delivered many ‘season’s bests’ and a few elusive PBs. It is also an ideal course to attempt your first 10k race with chip timing and a limit of 500 runners.
All finishers receive a custom medal and Zest Brewery ale (over 18s only).
Please see Terms and Conditions.
Grantham Running Club will be delighted to welcome along a number of businesses to support the event with kit, massages, food and beverages, and we hope, a licenced bar.
The Lincolnshire Runner will once more support the event with its mobile retail stall with plenty of offers on running shoes and running clothing. Runners interested in having anything specific brought to the race should contact the Lincolnshire Runner by phone (01522 523326) or email info@lincolnshirerunner.co.uk by noon on race day.
Race HQ & Race Day Contact
The Race HQ is at the Long Bennington Sports Pavilion, 79 Main Rd, Long Bennington, Newark, NG23 5DJ (what3words ref ///homelands.replying.plantings), just off the A1 north of Grantham.
There are toilets (including disabled facilties) and changing rooms on site.
Free off road parking is provided in an adjacent field, please keep the course clear by using the car parks provided.
The contact number for the Race HQ on race day is 07933 118835.
Course Details
After assembling at Race HQ at the Long Bennington Pavilion, runners are walked to the start. The course begins on Valley Lane, Long Bennington and crosses the A1, heading west for nearly 2 miles. At the junction with Grange Lane, the runners turn south, towards Staunton in the Vale. At the village, the course turns east, with a gentle climb around the 4 mile mark. Veering north-east, the course recrosses the A1 and re-enters the village. A quick zig-zag brings runners onto the final third of a mile straight to finish back at Race HQ.
It is a fairly flat course with 33m of ascent and 33m of descent. There is a water station at 6km (Staunton). There is a first aid station here and one at the finish.
Race Day Info
The race will start at 7:30pm prompt. There will be a rolling road closure for most of the route in the direction of the race, please be aware that vehicles can travel on the other side of the road.
Runners will be required to run in accordance with the Highway Code and in single file wherever possible.
If you witness a fellow runner injured, or in difficulty, please make sure a marshal is informed before you continue your run.
The start is situated a few hundred metres from Race HQ and will be clearly signed. There are no toilets at the start area. The start area will remain live to traffic until the road closure is put in place at 7:20pm. Runners who get to the start prior to this time are requested not to block the road and to assemble in the car park adjacent. To help ensure a smooth start we will indicate time boxes at the roadside.
Once the race has started, runners will have the use of both carriageways for approximately 200 metres, after which you will be guided onto the nearside carriageway only. Runners are asked to run on the left-hand side throughout the race. This is for your own safety and is the shortest route round the course.
The finish line is just before the gateway as you re-enter Race HQ. There will be a gantry making it clearly visible. When you finish, please move off the carriageway onto the playing fields, along the funnel and collect your medal.
Headphones
The wearing of headphones is strictly prohibited and any runners found wearing them will be disqualified.