The Amazing Northampton Run
A Community Interest Company. A redesign of the original Northampton Half Marathon - warning this race contains 31 steps and 200m of grass!The Amazing Northampton Run – Half Marathon
Dedicated to the memory of our dear friend Rob Powell from NHCF
Join us for the Amazing Northampton Run in 2024!
A loop around England’s largest town, starting In St Giles Street (for 2024), following the river past Northampton’s three main sporting grounds; Sixfields stadium (football), Franklin’s Gardens (rugby) and The County Ground (cricket), through two beautiful parks, passing through the modern University campus
WHEN
Sunday 15th September 2024 at 9:30am
REGISTRATION
Saturday 14th September 1pm to 4pm at the Northampton Mecure Hotel NN1 2TA
Sunday 15th September from 7:15am at the Northampton Mecure Hotel NN1 2TA
This the route from Registration to the Start
ENTRY FEE
£38 unaffiliated
£36 UKA affiliated
RUN FOR A CHARITY
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
For information about charity places or general enquiries please contact us.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A beautiful 13.1 mile route taking in the architecture, history and culture of Britain’s largest town. Elevation is +470 Ft and – 463 Ft.
COURSE MARKING
The course is marked and well marshalled. Mile markers are provided along the length of the course.
WATER STATIONS
There are 4 aid stations providing water in recyclable paper cups. 2.7 miles – Northampton Town Football Club; 5.3 miles – The Racecourse; 8.7 miles – Abington Bowling Club; 11 miles – The University of Northampton.
AWARDS
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female Competitors. All finishers will receive a medal and T-shirt.
START TIME
The race will start at 9.30am.
AGE LIMIT
The age limit for the half marathon is 17 on the day of the race in accordance with the UKA Licence Standards.
RACE DAY INSTRUCTIONS
Please click here
BAGGAGE TRANSFER
A bag drop facility for small bags will be available at the start area. Discarded pre-race clothing only will be collected for the Hope Centre Charity so please wear something nice!
PARKING
There is parking for over 2000 vehicles in the town centre. Please click here for details of Council Car Parks. The Ridings Car Park will not be accessible on race day. At the time of writing parking you will to pay if you park for longer than 2 hours on a Sunday!
ACCOMMODATION
We are pleased to say that we have The Mercure Northampton Hotel as our official accommodation partner for the event. There are also over 1600 hotel rooms available in and around the town for visitors from further a field. Details of most of the hotels can be found here.
COURSE RECORDS
Male record – Ben Musgrove – 1:11:45 (2023)
Female record – Kelly Barnett – 1:25:28 (2023)
CUT OFF AND PACERS
The cut off time for the race is 3 hours. We will have a number of pacers with various times aiming to get you round in your target time. Please note that many of the pacers will give up their pacer poles on the start line but they will be identified by their yellow pacer time numbers front and back on their shirts
HEADPHONES
In accordance with the UKA rules the wearing of “in ear” headphones is NOT permitted in a race where roads are open to traffic. Yes bone conductor headphones are permitted but we would rather that you communicate with, and encourage your fellow runners!
CHARITY ENTRIES
If you wish to register for a charity place please visit our charities page.
TOILETS
There will be portable toilets near the Guildhall
MASSAGE
We are pleased to welcome back Move4Physio, who will be our massage angels floating around the finish line to help you stretch and recover. Also some of our charity partners will have massage tables in operation for a small donation to their good causes.
EVENT SPONSORSHIP
We are proud to be sponsored by DuFeu IT Solutions, John Henry Sports, Silverstone Leasing, Franklins Solicitors and DinoMite Edurance Coaching and supported by Revolution Radio and N Live Radio. If your organisation or workplace is able to support the event then please click here for our Sponsorship Opportunties.
TRAINING
Need help with your training? Why not try the Runna App (link on the side bar)- GOBEYOND is your discount code!
When you have finished, why not recycle your old trainers? – click the Jogon link on the side bar for details.
#whybegreatwhenyoucanbeamazing
START/FINISH
Abington Street Northampton
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Amazing Northampton Run starts at the entrance to the historic Northampton town market square. To your left as you cross the start line look out for the Edwin Lutyens-designed war memorial.
Turning down the hill you will pass the impressive All Saints Church. A little further along look out for Carlsberg Brewery. (They’ve been brewing in town for 50 years!) (If Carlsberg did half marathons!!!)
Following along the River Nene towards Sixfields Reservoir and heading up towards Sixfields Stadium where Northampton Town have been playing since 1897. Continuing along into Franklin’s Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints Rugby for the last 140 years.
Running down the closed Spencer Bridge Road and over the railway you won’t be able to miss the Northampton International Academy as it gleams in your eye line!
Many of our local runners will recognise the next section as The Racecourse is home of Northampton parkrun each Saturday morning. After a lap of the park you will pass the Central Mosque on your right before turning to run alongside the Northants County Cricket Ground.
You will enter Abington Park next, where you will run around the large lake before heading out for a lovely downhill section.
Taking the footbridge over the A45 and under the main road structure you will find yourselves at the White Water Centre on the River Nene. From here, you will head past floating restaurant The Arc, and over the bridge into the University of Northampton Waterside campus. Later leaving the University campus via Beckets Bridge – an innovative designed 180 metre footbridge.
Within the final miles you will pass Northampton Museum, The Royal and Derngate theatre and the historic Guildhall. Turn at The Mackintosh House (78 Derngate), famous for its art deco architecture and then enjoy a long straight downhill to the finish by the Market Square.
Elevation is +470 Ft and – 463 Ft. Click here for the route.
When will I receive my race pack? You have the option of having your race number posted to you. If not you will collect your race number which includes your timing chip at registration either , Saturday or Sunday morning – please see the front page for details
Is it a closed road event? Yes the roads are closed off for your safety and enjoyment, footpath sections are open to the public
How many aid stations will there be? In accordance with UK Athletics guidance we will have four aid stations at approximately 3 mile intervals
Where can my friends and family watch? Our suggestions would be (if you are walking) at the start then it is half a mile to the Spencer Bridge Road/Barrack Road junction (mile 5); then across 1.5 miles to Christchurch Road (mile 8.6) and 1.3 miles back to the finish
Is there a tracking link for the event? The event is not tracked but there will be a live results list on line
Do you have a baggage system? We will have a secure bag drop area at the start/finish. You will be encouraged to donate any discarded pre-race warm clothing to the Northampton Hope Centre Charity
Are there toilets on the course? There are toilets at mile 8 in Abington Park
Can I run with a dog/buggy? Unfortunately you are not permitted to run with either (or both!) under the race rules
Can I run with headphones? We would rather you didn’t but if you must only bone conductor technology head phones are permitted under UK Athletic rules
Is there a cut off time? Yes – 3 hours (12:30pm)
Where is the race village? For 2024 we will be in the Market Square once the renovation work is complete
Will there be photos available after the event? Yes our photographer Adrian Howes will be on hand to capture you crossing the finish line
My contact details have changed, how do I update my information? You will need to log in to your EtchRock account (or create an account) and you can amend your details as necessary
Am I able change from the distance I entered? Yes you can log in to your EtchRock account and amend your ticket
I am injured, can I defer? Yes you can defer your place to the following year or to another event in the calendar providing you give us at least 14 days notice before race day
Will my time be listed on the Power of 10? Yes we submit the race results to UK Athletics
Will there be pacers on the course? Yes we have a great team of pacers from 1:30 to 3:00 hours in 15 minute increments. They will have yellow numbers front and back with their pacer time
Will there be mile markers? Yes each mile will have a sign counting up to the finish
Will I get a t-shirt after the event? Yes all finishers will get a t-shirt and medal
Can I run in fancy dress? yes please! We have Batman as a regular competitor and last year the Gruffalo too!
Will there be sports massage facilities after the race? We will have a patrolling physio team, we don’t have a specific massage area although some of our charity partners will have massage available for a small donation
Top 10 half marathons by the Middle Aged Running Man – guess where we are!
We have a team of people dedicated to promoting the event – I present to you The Amazing Northampton Run Ambassadors:
Sarah Beard – This is Sarah’s third year as an event ambassador
Mark Kennedy –
I’m Mark of Northampton Road Runners and it’s a pleasure to be an ambassador for the third time and be able to shout about Amazing Northampton Run. As a local lad, raised in the town, it’s wonderful that the new route takes in so many of Northampton’s major points of interest. To be honest, I never minded Brackmills hill but this year will be really special being able to take a more urban approach and get the crowds spilling onto the streets in their local communities.
I’ve only actually missed one of the Northampton Half Marathons to date and it’s one of my favourite events of the year. So’ it’s time to come and join us and really put this event on the national running map. Let’s bring people to our town.
Mark Rose –
Lynett Pilgrim –
My name is Lynett Pilgrim and I am a PE teacher in a primary school. As well as running a friendly running club (Billing Joggers), I enjoy open water swimming, badminton and cycling. as an avid Park Runner I understand the importance of keeping active but equally the drive to motivate others. The Amazing Northampton Run is great way to get everyone involved of all ages and abilities and have a fun day
General History – In 1675 The Great Fire of Northampton ravages the town.
The fire devastated the town centre, destroying about 700 of the town’s 850 buildings, including much of All Saints church, in six hours. 11 people died and about 700 families were made homeless.
Start to Mile 1 – The Market Square dating back to 1189 and one of the largest in England, 1677 Building; ; All Saints Church rebuilt after the fire; (this first section not until 2025); The Guildhall built in 1864 in the Gothic Revival style; Northampton Museum and Art Gallery the site of the former town Gaol and home to over 15,000 pairs of shoes!; Royal Theatre and Opera House opended in 1884 and now the Royal and Derngate Theatre; RIBA Award Winning One Angel Square; Phipps Brewery and tap bar; The Plough Hotel built in 1877 by Northampton Brewery Company (NBC); The Church Restaurant former hospital opened in 1138; and Carlsberg Brewery built in 1973 to replace the original Phipps Brewery. The South Bridge
Mile 1 to 2 – Disused Northampton to Peterborough Line opened in 1845, the site of the towns first railway station and closed in 1964; The Grand Union Canal connecting the Gayton Junction with the River Nene in the centre of the town; Sixfields reservoir
Mile 2 to 3 Northampton Town Football Club formed in 1897 and nicknamed “The Cobblers” and Sixfields sometimes called the Starcity of Northamptonshire
Mile 3 to 4 – Northampton Saints Rugby Club at Franklins Gardens formed in 1880 from the St James Church by Rev Wathen Wigg
Mile 5 to 6 – The incredible Northampton International Academy formally the Barrack Road Sorting Office
Mile 6 to 7 – The Racecourse 118 acres of parkland last used for that purpose in 1904 and also the site of many public hangings! and the Picturedrome a former cinema opened in 1912 and now a bar and music venue
Mile 7 to 8 – The Northampton Central Mosque open for prayer in 2001 thanks to local generosity; The Northamptonshire County Cricket Ground first used for cricket on May 15 1886; Abington Park gifted to the town by Lord and Lady Wantage and open to the public in 1897
Mile 8 to 9 – Abington Park Museum a former Tudor Manor House and opened as a museum in 1897 and the 12th Century St Peter and Paul’s Church, the final resting place of Shakespeare’s Granddaughter
Mile 9 to 10 – Northampton Old Scouts RFC formed in 1926 and based on Rushmere Rpad since the 1960s then cross the footbridge over the A45 Nene Valley Way
Mile 10 to 11 – The White Water Centre operated by Northampton Active it was build in 1999 as the UKs first pumped artificial white water course; Northampton Rowing Club; Barnes Meadow Interchange, Barnes Meadow; The Ark Northampton;s first floating restaurant opened in 2014; Midsummer Meadow and the University Bridge
Mile 11 to 12 – Nunn Mills Bridge; University of Northampton opened in 2018; The Engine Shed; The footbridge; Northampton Marina; Beckets Park formally Cow meadow and where Thomas A Beckett drank from a well in 1164; and the Wathen Wigg Bridge
Mile 12 to 13 – Latimer and Crick building, the company was founded by Francis Crick’s (the biologist famous for mapping DNA) grandfather ; St Anne’s Christian Orthodox Church dedicated to St Anne the Grandmother of Jesus; RIBA Award Winning One Angel Square; Northampton Museum and Art Gallery the site of the former town Gaol and home to over 15,000 pairs of shoes!; Royal Theatre and Opera House opended in 1884 and now the Royal and Derngate Theatre; The Guildhall built in 1864 in the Gothic Revival style; Derngate the only street in Northampton to retain its “gate” name; 78 Derngate the only house outside of Scotland re-modelled by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and St Giles church which is over 900 years old
Mile 13 to the Finish -from 2025 BBC Radio Northampton; The Northampton Central Library opened in 1910 a gift of Andrew Carnegie ; and The Double Helix Statue celebrating Francis Crick from Weston Favell who in 1953 helped to unlock the secrets of life by mapping DNA
In 2024 you will turn left on St Giles Street and finish at the Lawrence Coffee House next to Castilian Street
Please go to one.network to see the road closure map
Click here for the Pace Chart so you can see what time we expect the first and last runners at any point on the course
Click here for the proposed Traffic Management phases so you can see what times we antiicpate re opening the roads after the 8:30am closure
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