The 10th Gin Pit Double Marathon

The 2 marathons in 2 days Challenge

It’s over for 2020, thanks to all the helpers and well done to all the runners. I’m not sure when the next race will be, I am going to wait for the Coronavirus situation to settle so we are not worried about having to cancel the event due to local lockdowns.

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October 2020

Download Race Brief Here

See Individual Start Times Here

Start Times From 9:30am Each Day

“The Original and Only single loop double marathon in the UK”

Event Full – Online Entry Closed

(PayPal only, sorry we cannot accept credit or debit cards)

Race Introduction

The Gin Pit Marathon challenge is to complete the 26.2 mile course of one large loop, twice over 2 consecutive days. To my knowledge this is the only true double marathon in the UK using a single 26.2 mile loop course and one of the longest running marathon doubles of it’s kind.

My inspiration for this marathon event goes back to 2010 when I realised I was always having to travel to run a marathon. It occurred to me that there were very few local marathons. This is no longer the case as we now have a good selection of marathons in the North West, some are excellent BIG city events but none are as unique as this. I can’t believe we are back for a 10th time, my original plan was to only ever hold the event once!

With the help from family, friends and my running club Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners, the Gin Pit Marathon weekend has developed into a low key event with a friendly and welcoming feel that gives runners the opportunity to run just one marathon or take on the 2 day double marathon challenge. As far as I know it is the first of its kind and still the only single loop double marathon in the country. Every year this event hasn’t just attracted local runners but runners from all over Britain who have been inspired to take on the Gin Pit double challenge. With the entry limit of 75 runners per day the event sells out every year. I think the event offers something a bit different that leaves competitors with fond memories for a long time. All the positive comments from entrants over the past 9 years are so heart warming and spurs me on to keep holding the event again and again. I hope the event will be enjoyed as much by the runners in 2020.

The Course

The course is one large loop taking in 10.5 miles of canal tow path, 12 miles of trails, which are mostly derived from disused railway lines but I’m afraid there are still 3.5 miles on public roads. Sorry I couldn’t quite find a way of making a whole course off road.

I must thank our northern industrial heritage for giving us these lovely trails and canals to run along. It is fascinating to imagine that many years ago these trails would have seen large steam trains belching out huge amounts of stream and pulling heavy loads of coal. The canal tow path would have had horses pulling fully laden barges along the Bridgewater and Leigh branch of the Leeds Liverpool canals which we run along. Today they have been transformed into tranquil trails and paths which we can enjoy, away from the bustle and fumes generated by 21^st century traffic.

Look out for the picturesque village of Worsley at mile 8, with its beautiful black & white mock Tudor buildings contrasting with the unusual orange canal water. At 11 miles you will pass through the village of Astley, look to your right and you will see the last remaining coal mine pit head gear in the whole of Lancashire. Its iron work & wheel stand proud above everything else as a lasting reminder of the industry that used to overwhelm the whole area.

The beauty that has come out from the coal dust of the industrial revolution can be enjoyed by those of us willing to leave the roads behind to explore and probably get a bit muddy!

Race Information

The Start and the finish are at the Miners Welfare Club, Gin Pit Village, Ley Road, Tyldesley, Manchester, M29 7DW (pictured below).

During periods of wet weather the course can be very muddy in a few places and trail shoes could be useful for these conditions.

Please do not enter the Welfare Club in muddy trainers and running gear, you will get me into TROUBLE!

Race limit is 75 runners per day.
There is a 6 hour time limit each day.
Minimum age 18 and all competitors must have completed a sub 6 hour marathon within 12 months of the race day.

The event is held under UK Athletics rules.
Trail Running Association Race Permit Number 3717.

Race start time 10:00am each day.
Daily pre-race registration and collection of race numbers will be 9am at the Welfare Club next to the start. For runners running both days you need to register each day and will be given a fresh number for each day.
Maps and directions will be available at registration each day. They aren’t necessary to navigate the course but runners may like to take a copy along with them during the race.

Competitors are able to enter either day of the event or both, just indicate your requirement in the appropriate boxes provided on the online or on the paper entry form.

Any updates will be posted on this webpage and the Gin Pit Marathon Events group on Facebook. If you are on Facebook feel welcome to request to join this group to hear Gin Pit Marathon information first and join in with a bit of Gin Pit running banter.

Click here to download entry form

Click here to see the confirmed entry list

Click here to download a GPX file of the course (New course not available)

Click here to follow a link to a map of the course

Click here to download a map of the course

Click here to download course directions
I have created the directions as a word document so that competitors may alter it to fit their individual needs, for example increase font size of the font to make it easier to read while running.

Click here to download a list of local places to stay

Results will be posted HERE on this website the day after the event.

The event is a self guiding course, maps and directions will be available at the start. This said there will be yellow and black arrow signs put up at all turns and junctions so it is possible to complete the whole course without using the directions or needing any map reading skills. There will be 4 Check Points/Water Stations along the course at 6.3 miles, 11.6 miles, 17.7 miles & 22.1 miles.

For runners looking for medial advise please follow the link to the Runners Medical Resource Website.

For a copy of the event’s risk assessment, click here.

Recommended kit

Equipment:
Directions (available at the start of the event and can be downloaded from this webpage)
Garmin (will work well in conjunction with the directions)
Mobile Phone (fully charged & switched on)
Waterproof map cover
Map
Whistle

Clothing:
Weather in March can be quite changeable.
For cold weather; Hat and gloves, long sleeve top & leggings.
For warm weather; Hydration packs or a bottle of water bottle is encouraged and sun cream.
For wet weather; Waterproof top.
Footwear; For most occasions road trainers will be fine but if the weather has been particularly wet then some runners may prefer to wear trail shoes to cope with the short muddy sections. Please be prepared to get muddy to a degree.

Money raised from this event will be donated to the Brathay Trust to help them with their work supporting disadvantaged young people to fulfil their potential. Brathay do this by delivering community programmes through schools and councils, backed up with residentials at Brathay Hall in Ambleside. They also run the outdoor centre, Lowbank Ground in Coniston for Wigan Council, allowing thousands of school children from across the North West the opportunity to experience outdoor activities in the beautiful Lake District every year.

For those taking on the Gin Pit Double Challenge I wish you all the very best and hope you enjoy the event.

Malc Collins

Race Organiser