Chevy Chase

The 66th Chevy Chase will take place on SATURDAY 1st July 2023. Entries will open 12.01am Tuesday 1st March 2023.

Entries are online through sientries.co.uk. Here is the link:

https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=11272

As always, there is a limit of 300 on the event. Further entries will be added to a waiting list and the race will be filled from there if people drop out. You will be contacted when payment is due.

Please see our Facebook page for up to date changes. These will also be emailed to competitors the week before.

Here is the link for the Chevy Chase results 2022:

https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/WoolerRC/2022/ChevyChase/

The Challenge for 66 years!

The Chevy Chase Race is a 20-mile journey through some of the finest upland scenery in Northumberland giving runners the opportunity to channel their energies into a rewarding and demanding personal challenge.

You will need to be fit and sure footed, determined, and prepared for all weathers. Your route will take you deep into the heart of the “land of the far horizon”; you will summit both Cheviot 2676 feet / 815m and Hedgehope 2348 feet / 714m.

You will have the unrestrained freedom of the hills, the route is unmarked and you may choose your own path as long as the manned checkpoints are visited in the correct order. Only a short section is on road; the rest of your route follows tracks, footpaths, sheep paths and crosses rough fell.

Although taking place in mid summer the sun is never certain to shine and low cloud is a distinct possibility therefore you must be able to navigate by map and compass.

Click here to view the chevy map

Equipment

All Competitors should arrive at the event prepared to carry all of the following “Best Practice” Equipment.

FRA safety standards will apply. For further information go to www.fellrunner.org.uk

Each competitor should be prepared to carry:

• Full waterproof whole-body cover (i.e. covering the torso from head to ankles).
• Other body cover appropriate for weather conditions, including as minimum, hat and gloves, but also a fleece.
• Whistle.
• Map, preferably waterproof of the race route and surrounding area.
• Compass suitable for navigating the course (GPS is not acceptable).
• Emergency food and drink.

There will be random kit checks at the start and finish. Maps, compasses and whistles will be available to purchase at registration if required. Those not having required equipment will not be able to start the race.

Parking

As usual, there will be some parking for 4×4 vehicles just up the hill from the hostel in the field on the right hand side of the road.

The main car park will be signed from entering Wooler, along the A697 then opposite Farm to Freeze, turn off heading for Chatton (B6348, Weetwood Road), over the iron bridge and look for the car park signage.  It’s on the right, just past the last house. This is a 5-10 minute walk from the start – go up Church Street, cross over by the Co-op and walk up Cheviot Street to the YHA as usual. PLEASE DO NOT PARK ANYWHERE ELSE in Wooler as this will annoy our neighbours and risk the future of the event.

Start & Finish

The event centre and finish is at the WOOLER YOUTH HOSTEL, Cheviot Street, NE71 6LW. The start is 5 minutes from here. Please park where directed, this may be a 10 minute walk from the hostel. At the hostel you will be able to register, collect your race number and electronic dibber before having your kit checked.

Registration times:                  8.15am – 9.45am

Start time:                                10am – NEW FOR 2023

Time allowed:                          6 hours

Walkers and runners are welcomed but please note there is no longer a walkers only category – the course must be completed in 6hrs. Slower participants maybe timed out at checkpoints.

Checkpoint Times 2023

Checkpoints:	Grid Reference:	Expected arrival times:	Cut off times:
1. Broadstruther	942 248	10.30	11.00
2. Cheviot knee	933 222	10.50	11.35
3. Cheviot summit	909 205	11.15	12.25
4. Hedgehope summit	944 198	11.50	13.25
5.  Langlee Crags	967 220	12.10	14.10
6.  Brand’s Corner	982 238	12.20	14.40
7.  Hell Path	957 257	12.40	15.30
Carey Burn Bridge (unofficial checkpoint)	976 249	12.30	15.15

Retirement Points:

1.  HAWSEN BURN BRIDGE:  954 226 (accessible from various checkpoints)

2. *CAREY BURN BRIDGE:  976 249

*If competitors arrive at this point after 15.15 pm they must retire and report to the finish. 

Retirement

If you start the race but need to drop out for any reason you MUST inform the organiser either by calling in at your closest checkpoint, a retirement point or at the finish. If asked to retire by a marshal please comply as it is for your own safety.

The Chevy Chase is supported by the Northumberland National Park Search and Rescue Team. There will be communication between checkpoints to monitor competitors’ progress. Our marshals are experienced volunteers who enjoying cheering you on and offering encouragement. They will advise you if they feel you should not continue, please accept this advice with grace and do not abuse them.

Retirement points are:

Hawsen Burn Bridge GR. 954226

Carey Burn Bridge GR. 976249.

On Finishing

You will receive a print out of your split times at each checkpoint and total time for the course. You can collect your goody bag plus drinks and chips from our sponsors Particularly Good Potatoes as soon as possible then hopefully relax in the sunshine before prize giving at approximately 3pm.

As with the last couple of years, there is minimal access to the hostel except to use the toilets and showers. We plan to register, kit check, and provide catering outside.

All competitors completing the course will receive a memento. There is an extensive prize list for runners achieving in various categories.

Please respect our beautiful hills, leave no litter, cause no damage and enjoy!!

Enquiries to: chevychaserace@hotmail.co.uk

Please click here to get to the The Chevy Chase Facebook page