Horseplay Adventure Run

Saturday 27th March

Have you ever fancied taking part in the Grand National but couldn’t find a horse? Well now you can run a fantastic adventure steeplechase on your own two feet!

This is a brand new high octane off-road running event just outside Henley-on-Thames. A mere hop, skip and a (horse) jump away from London and the M25, it’s an idyll of English country bliss. Until Horseplay rides into town…

Our tough 10k and 5k courses pit you against gnarly woodland trails, mud, steep banks and pastures, water features, special “human horse jumps”, more mud, and the very setting of Sleepy Hollow – the Johnny Depp Movie.

Giddy Up. Here is the deal. We offer 2 distance choices over 10km or 5km and both runs feature some obstacles: Natural, man-made and equine! You will be under Starter’s orders at a mass start in the event village. Rubbing shoulders with fellow participants in their country finest, we do actively encourage a bit of dressing up for this run. It’s all in the name of a bit of Horseplay after all. The gun goes off and you bound across the lush show field and over the first fences and jumps – set up for the amusement of your supporters and fans. Then it’s into the woods, up and down rolling hills, through fields and over fences and jumps. With obstacles littering your path such as the Grand National, the Tote, Sleepy Hollow (Set in the exact place where the Hollywood blockbuster of the same name was filmed!), the Stables and the Steeplechase - you get the picture. Expect to get wet and muddy and probably very tired; but do not falter at the final hurdle as you will need that last drop of energy for the Final Furlong, a series of horse jumps set up just in front of the finish. The bookies will be screaming, the fans will be cheering and the commentator will be talking you through the line. The Horseplay is over and you will have your rosette pinned to you, before heading off to the beer tent for some of our excellent locally brewed ale. Cue more Horseplay!

10km – A Nocturnal Pursuit
Starting at dusk at 1700hrs, this is the one to go for if you want to achieve full nocturnal champion jockey status. Never before, has there been such a bizarre mass stunt over horse jumps. Consisting of varied terrains with undulating gradient, you will face up to multiple obstacles; some natural, some man-made and some designed for horses. But you’re the steed today so over you will go; through the water jumps, over the hurdles and fences and up and down steep banks. And almost all of this, in the dark. Our marshals will be on hand to help you through particularly tricky sections if you wither. There might even be some mounted race marshals out for a ride with you, enjoying the spectacle. With 10km under your belt it’s onto the Final Furlong for a run into the event village to the cheers of the crowd.

5km – Shorter, but it’s not Pony Club
With an earlier 1400hr start, this is more pony trek than Grand St Leger. Our 5k course is still a real challenge, with obstacles, mud and water to contend with. But it’s half the distance, so caters to those wanting to have some fun out on the course without wanting to do the full 10k. With the 5km race you will also tackle the Final Furlong, before your final run into the event village and adulation from the gentrified, and baying crowds.

 

 

The choice is yours. In fact, it’s horses for courses. Enjoy the Horseplay!

Registration fee £25(10k) or £15(5k)

To find out more please contact the Events team at Children Today on 01244 335622 or e-mail ceri@childrentoday.org.uk.