The Penguin Plod

Staines, United Kingdom

Expected March 2028

Our best guess from a single past year. We'll firm it up when the organiser confirms.

Choose your distance

50K

Distance

50km

Start Time

09:00

Cutoff

7 hours

Terrain

Mixed

From last year's edition. Details may change once confirmed.

Overview

The Penguin Plod is a seven hour time challenge run along a scenic stretch of the River Thames from The Last Hop in Staines. Runners complete one or more laps of a fully signed riverside loop on well-made paths and tarmac, with a very short grass section, and choose a distance from 3km up to 50km and beyond as they go. An aid table and drinks table sit at the start and finish of every lap, stocked with crisps, cheese, fruit and cookies as well as vegan options. Anyone completing at least 3km becomes an official finisher and receives a themed penguin medal, with distance pins for those going half marathon distance or further. The low-pressure format welcomes every ability and walkers are just as welcome as runners.

Runs alongside a beautiful stretch of the River Thames
Fully signed course, so no navigational experience is needed
Lapped route with an aid table at the start and finish of every lap
Themed penguin medal for everyone who completes 3km or more
Distance pins for half marathon, marathon, 50km and ultra finishers
Low-pressure format with walkers and all abilities welcome

The practical side

Start / Finish

Start

The Last Hop, Unit 2, Thames Edge Court, Clarence Street, Staines, TW18 4SU

Finish

The Last Hop, Staines, the same point as the start, since the course is lapped

Terrain

Mainly well-made paths and tarmac alongside the River Thames, with a very short grass section. Road shoes are suitable all year round.

Route

The 50km distance is completed as repeated laps of the riverside loop, starting and finishing at The Last Hop. There are seven or more laps to cover the distance, with the aid table and drinks table at the start and finish of every lap. Participants in the 50km must be aged 20 or older on race day.

Race Day

Venue facilities at The Last Hop open from 8am. Race numbers are collected on the day at race registration before the start of the event. A compulsory race briefing takes place ten minutes before the race start and covers additional safety and course information. The seven hour clock starts at 9am and runners complete as many laps of the riverside loop as they wish to within that time.

Good to know

What you get

Finisher medal

Race photos

Themed penguin medal for anyone completing 3km or more

Distance pins for half marathon and beyond: Half-Marathon, Mega-Half, Marathon, 50km and Ultra pins, one worn on the medal ribbon

Personalised number with your name and the event date for milestone events such as a 50th, 100th or 200th marathon or half marathon

Members receive a mini-medal pin at every event they attend

Member entries guarantee a place and cost £10.00 less than the full price

Food after the finishYes. Alongside the standard goody bag the organiser offers a vegan goody bag. Just let them know you are vegan or that you would prefer a vegan goody bag when you enter, and they will have it ready for you.

On the day

Toilets

Bag drop

Merchandise

Marshals on course

RecommendedRoad running shoes

ParkingParking is available at Bridge Street Car Park in Staines, TW18 4TP, a short distance from The Last Hop. There is no parking at the venue itself.

Public transportThe event is based at The Last Hop, Unit 2, Thames Edge Court, Clarence Street, Staines, TW18 4SU. Staines sits on the River Thames in Surrey and is well served by road, with parking at Bridge Street Car Park, TW18 4TP. Final race day instructions are emailed out in the week leading up to the event and include full race day information.

AccessibilityThe Last Hop has toilets but there are no separate changing facilities or showers. The downstairs toilets are large enough to change in. These facilities open from 8am and remain available throughout the event. Optional add-ons at entry include race bib magnets and a limited edition runner's buff.

ShowersThe Last Hop has toilets but no separate changing facilities and no showers. The downstairs toilets are large enough to get changed in. These facilities open from 8am and are available for use throughout the whole event.

Aid stations · 1Start and finish of every lap: drinks table plus an aid table with a wide selection of sweet and savoury snacks including crisps, cheese, fruit and cookies, with vegan options available

Before you enter

RefundsYes. Optional refund protection through XCover can be added at checkout and gives a full refund if you are unable to attend due to injury or illness including Covid-19, adverse weather on race day, unexpected public transport disruption, or breakdown or accident. Full terms are available from XCover.

TransfersYou can transfer your entry to a different runner up to one week before the event at no charge, using the online transfer service at Runners are encouraged to find a replacement through the organiser's Facebook group, and must agree a price and arrange payment between themselves. The organiser is not responsible if the new runner fails to pay in full. A transfer is only complete once the online transfer has been submitted

DeferralsA partial deferral is available up to 24 hours before the start of the event if you cannot attend through illness or injury and have not transferred your entry. You must email the organiser to report your absence, after which you will be offered entry to an alternative event at a reduced price of £18.00. The fee must be paid within 28 days and the replacement event must be no more than six months after the original event date.

If the race is cancelledEntry fees are non-refundable. If the event has to be cancelled, delayed or postponed due to circumstances outside the organiser's control, such as extreme weather or instruction from the emergency services, no refunds are payable, but your entry will be carried forward to the next running of the event or to a suitable alternative event.

Bad weatherThe organiser reserves the right to amend the time limit for the event on the day in exceptional circumstances, including expected inclement weather. Should the event have to be cancelled, delayed or postponed due to circumstances outside the organiser's control, such as extreme weather or instruction from the emergency services, no refunds are payable.

Minimum ageParticipants must be 16 or over on event day to take part without an adult. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, and all under 18s are restricted to the maximum distance permitted for their age, with disqualification if they run further. Under 18 entries are capped at 10% of the maximum number of entrants. The 50km distance requires entrants to be 20 or older, and the time challenge entry 17 or older.

HeadphonesYes, headphones and music devices are permitted, but you use them at your own risk. The organiser reserves the right to change this without notice if UK Athletics requires it or if it is needed to reduce risk for participants or members of the public. As the event uses public footpaths, please be considerate of other path users.

Time limitYes. The event runs as a seven hour time challenge from the 9am start, so the course closes at approximately 4pm. The organiser reserves the right to amend the time limit on the day in exceptional circumstances, for example expected bad weather.

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The Penguin Plod

Overview

The practical side

Good to know

How do I choose my distance?

Can I walk rather than run?

Is there somewhere to leave my bag?

Is there food and drink on the course?

How do I get my race number?

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