Foxton Hound 50K Ultramarathon

Foxton Hound 50K Ultra Marathon - Race Harborough

Organised by Race Harborough, the Foxton Hound 50K is a highly scenic trail race that offers an excellent stepping stone for runners looking to tackle their first ultramarathon, as well as a solid, fast-paced challenge for seasoned endurance athletes.

Serving as the shorter sibling to the formidable Foxton Hound 100K Ultra, this 50 kilometre route condenses the best elements of the Harborough Round into a more accessible distance. Travelling through the rural borders of Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, the course provides a brilliant mix of rolling countryside, historic landmarks, and reliable event support.

Course

While it is half the distance of the 100K event, the 50K course does not compromise on character or elevation.

• The Terrain: The route features a decent amount of climbing, but runners are rewarded with highly runnable, sweeping downhill sections. The course frequently merges with established long-distance footpaths, including The Jurassic Way, The Leicestershire Round, The Macmillan Way, The Midshires Way, The Richard the Third Trail, and The Uppingham Round.
• Historical Landmarks: The 50K journey takes participants through charming local villages such as West Haddon and Coton, and passes directly through the historic Naseby Battle Field.
• The Tunnel: A memorable highlight of the route is a subterranean stretch along the Brampton Valley Way, where runners must navigate the pitch-black, 480m long Kelmarsh Tunnel.

Free Guided Recces and Event Support

Race Harborough is well known for its strong community focus, offering exceptional support to help runners get to the start line with confidence.

• Free Route Recces: To help reduce pre-race anxiety and prevent runners getting lost on race day, the organisers host a series of free guided recce runs. These are a fantastic way for registered runners to familiarise themselves with the course and for the local trail community to train together.
• Live Tracking: Every runner is equipped with a GPS tracker from Open Tracking at registration (which event staff will tape securely to your hydration pack). This ensures race control can monitor your safety and allows friends and family to dot-watch your progress online.
• Checkpoints and Medical: The route is supported by several well-stocked aid stations manned by Race Harborough volunteers. Professional first aid teams are present at the start and finish lines, with mobile capabilities to reach runners on the course.

If you are looking to graduate from the marathon distance or want to test your pacing before taking on the full Foxton Hound 100K, this 50K edition is an ideal choice. Licensed by the Trail Running Association (TRA) and held under UK Athletics rules, it provides a professionally managed, historic, and highly enjoyable day out on the Midlands trails. Full race details can be found on the official race website.