The Avebury8 Nine is a 9-mile-ish trail race which takes place in the Wiltshire countryside, starting and finishing at Avebury, a World Heritage Site famed for its stone circle. The route follows byways and bridleways and can be wet, muddy, rutted and difficult under foot.

The race this year is staged with the aim of raising funds for our favourite charity - WILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE - very much in mind.  As trail runners, we all hope we will never need to call upon their services, but having them available just in case is something we all appreciate. You will see that the basic entry prices have been reduced by £5 since last year (they now simply cover our known costs) and there is an option for you to add a donation of £5 for the charity. We will be very grateful if you donate, but it is not compulsory!

RACE HQ will be at the Avebury Sports & Social Club, just beside the stone circle on the Beckhampton Road.  The start will be in Bray Street as usual, and the end of the race will take runners over the Neolithic 'causewayed enclosure' of Windmill Hill, then back to the village High Street to finish next to the club house. (In the event of flooding of the fields coming off Windmill Hill we may have to make some last minute route changes, but the finish will still be at the Sports & Social Club.) Commemorative mugs, by White Horse Pottery, for all finishers.  Winners' prizes.  And cakes!

CAR PARKING. This year the National Trust have decided that entrants must pay the parking charge for the use of their car park for this race (unlike previous years when we were able to offer you free parking).  We believe the charge will be £4 per car.  If you are a National Trust member you will be able to park free of charge. We are working on parking for non NT members and full details will be sent to all runners nearer the race.

NUMBER COLLECTION: Marshals and signs will guide you from the car park to the Race HQ at the Avebury Club.  Please collect your race number at Race HQ between 09:00 and 10:00 on race day.  Please be aware that it’s a 10 minute walk from Race HQ to the start line.

BAG STORAGE:  You may leave your kit bag at Race HQ; members of our team will be in the hall during the race, but this is not secure storage.

REFRESHMENTS will be available at Race HQ after the race; donations to our chosen charity will be very welcome.  This year the Avebury Sports & Social Club will open the bar after the race – so you can celebrate or drown your aching sorrows! And there will be cakes!

TOILETS: There are toilet facilities at Race HQ (Avebury Sports & Social Club). There are no toilet facilities at the start – please comply with the “No Peeing” notices!

MINIMUM AGE: Held under Association of Running Club Rules. Minimum age 17 on the day of the race.