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Shires and Spires 56KM Ultra Marathon
The Shires and Spires Ultra is a fantastic 35 mile (56km) ultra marathon that’s a perfect introduction to ultra running, or a brilliant, fast day out for the more experienced. It’s a single, very runnable loop that takes in some of the most beautiful and historic countryside Northamptonshire has to offer.
What makes this ultra marathon special is the atmosphere. It’s part of a larger running festival with 10k, half, three-quarter, and full marathon distances all starting from the same place. This gives the start/finish area at Naseby Village Hall a real buzz.
Course
Starting from the historic Naseby (yes, that Naseby, from the 1645 battle), the route heads out on a circular tour of the county's stunning "shires and spires." The name is no gimmick, you'll be running through rolling fields, pretty villages and past some of the grandest country estates in England, including Holdenby House, Cottesbrooke, and the Althorp estate.
In terms of terrain, this is a true "multi-terrain" event. It’s almost a 60/40 split between cross-country trails and quiet country roads. This makes for a constantly changing and engaging run, you're never on one surface for too long. With around 625m (2,000ft) of elevation, it's not flat, but it’s best described as "undulating." There are no monster climbs, just lovely, rolling lumpy bits.
Here’s the really clever part, the race runs clockwise in even years and anti-clockwise in odd years. It’s the same course, but it feels like a completely different race depending on which way you're going.
This is a self-navigation race, so you need to keep your wits about you. However, you get a GPS tracker and access to a free voice navigation app, which makes life a lot easier.
Support is fantastic, with five checkpoints spaced out along the 56km (35 mile) route. It’s the perfect step-up for anyone who has done a few marathons and wants to dip their toe into the world of ultras. The 56km (35 mile) distance is manageable, the loop is logistically simple, and the route is genuinely beautiful. For full race details, please visit the official website.
