Valentines Track Run

Newark, United Kingdom

Expected February 2028

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

Distance

3km

Start Time

09:30

Cutoff

7 hours (final lap may be started up to 6:59:59)

Terrain

Road

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

Overview

The Valentines Track Run is an inaugural seven-hour challenge staged on the flat 400 metre athletics track at the YMCA Newark and Sherwood Community and Activity Village in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Everyone sets off together at 09:30 and covers as many laps as they choose, working towards anything from 3km to ultra marathon distance, and athletes can start a final lap any time up to 6:59:59 even if they finish past the seven-hour mark. An aid table sits at the end of every lap with water, squash, fizzy drinks and a range of snacks, and the venue provides parking, toilets in the main building and a bag drop beside the start and finish. Runners and walkers are both equally welcome on what is a deliberately inclusive day on a traffic-free surface.

Flat 400 metre athletics track
Aid table at the end of every lap
Seven-hour window to cover 5km up to ultra marathon distance
Medal and goody bag for every finisher
Walkers and runners both welcome

The practical side

Start / Finish

Start

YMCA Athletics Track, YMCA Newark and Sherwood Community and Activity Village, Lord Hawke Way, Newark NG24 4FH. Registration and number collection take place on the morning of the event before the 09:30 start

Finish

Same point on the 400m track as the start, beside the aid table at the end of each lap

Terrain

Flat synthetic 400m athletics track at the YMCA Athletics Track in Newark.

Route

Laps of the 400 metre track, starting and finishing at the same point beside the aid table.

Race Day

Registration and number pick-up open at 09:00 on the morning of the event. A compulsory race briefing is held 10 minutes before the 09:30 start. Event instructions are emailed to participants seven days before race day.

Good to know

What you get

Finisher medal

Race photos

Valentines Run medal

Goody bag

Aid table refreshments at the end of each lap

Food after the finishA goody bag is given to every finisher along with a Valentines Run medal, plus the ongoing aid table with water, squash, fizzy drinks and snacks.

On the day

Toilets

Bag drop

Marshals on course

Water on course1

ParkingThere is plenty of parking at the YMCA venue. Participants are asked to car share where possible.

AccessibilityToilets are located in the main building at the venue. The 400m track is flat and traffic-free, which suits wheelchair athletes and assisted runners; no specific accessible facilities are listed by the organiser.

Aid stations · 1End of every lap: water, squash, fizzy drinks and a variety of different food

Before you enter

RefundsEntry fees are non-refundable. Optional refund protection is offered at checkout through XCover for £1.80 to £2.70 depending on the race, covering injury or illness including Covid-19, adverse weather on race day, unexpected public transport disruption, and breakdown or accident.

TransfersEntries can be transferred to another runner free of charge up to one week before the event. Participants arrange the price and payment between themselves; the organiser is not responsible if the new runner does not pay in full. Transfers are completed online through the entry platform, and by accepting the transfer the new runner agrees to the organiser's terms and conditions.

DeferralsA partial deferral is available up to 48 hours before the start of the event for illness or injury. Participants must email the organiser to report their absence, and the entry can then be moved to an alternative event for a £5.00 fee, payable within 48 hours. The event being transferred to cannot have a higher entry fee than the original event.

If the race is cancelledIf an event is cancelled, delayed or postponed for reasons outside the organiser's control, no refunds are issued. Entries are carried forward to the next running of the event or to a suitable alternative event.

Bad weatherCircuits Running Events reserves the right to amend the time limit on the day in exceptional circumstances such as expected inclement weather. If an event has to be cancelled, delayed or postponed because of 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 older on event day to take part without an adult, and under 18s are limited to 10 per cent of the maximum number of entrants. Maximum permitted distances under UKA rules are 5,000m for ages 12 to 13, 6,000m for ages 14 to 15, 10,000m for age 16, 25,000m for age 17, 45,000m for ages 18 to 19, and no maximum for age 20 and over. Under 18s who run further than their permitted distance are disqualified, as are adults who do not run with a child under 16 in their care. Ultra marathon entries are for athletes aged 20 or over.

HeadphonesMusic devices and devices requiring headphones are permitted at the participant's own risk. The organiser reserves the right to change that rule without notice if UKA requires it or if the organiser decides it is needed to reduce risk for participants or the public.

Other questions

It is a single seven-hour challenge rather than separate wave starts. All entrants set off together at 09:30 and complete as many laps of the flat 400 metre track as they wish. You can start a final lap any time up to 6:59:59, and you will still be counted if you finish after the seven-hour mark.

Yes. The organiser states that everyone is welcome whether they run or walk, and the track format makes it easy to go at your own pace.

You enter a distance when you book, with options from 3km up to ultra marathon distance plus a Time Challenge entry, but the laps themselves are open, so the distance you enter is the target you are working towards on the day.

There is an aid table at the end of every lap with water, squash, fizzy drinks and a variety of different food. Because it is passed on each lap, you never need to carry much with you.

Every finisher receives a Valentines Run medal and a goody bag for their efforts.

Entry fee

Registration isn't open yet. We'll show pricing when the organiser confirms.

Expected

Newark, United Kingdom

Expected February 2028

Provisional date, around Feb 12

We'll keep this updated as the organiser confirms.

Circuit Running

View organiser page →

Official website Organiser website Facebook

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Valentines Track Run

Overview

The practical side

Good to know

How does the Valentines Track Run format work?

Can I walk the event rather than run?

Do I have to decide my distance in advance?

What is available at the aid table?

What do I receive for taking part?

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