FAQs

Trail Escape is a series of trail events that start and finish in the centre of a city, with the routes focussed on surrounding countryside

Please read the official instructions / guide. They will be emailed to you and featured on the website around one month ahead of the event. 

Most important information should also be found in these FAQS.

We will do our best to create routes that are as close to 26.2miles and 25km as possible but given the nature of off-road running it is difficult to be as accurate with route distances as road running events.  We will ensure that each route is at least 26.2miles or 25km and will communicate closer to event day the exact distance.

Routes are now available on the city event pages on the website. All routes are subject to some changes closer to the event.

There will be plenty of spots for your supporters to cheer you on across the route. 

Please see our recommendations for Bristol-Bath 2024 HERE

Yes, well-behaved dogs can take part as long as they are kept on a lead at all times.

Please ensure you use a short lead and not an extendable lead.

One dog per runner / hiker only.

We request that owners please clean up after their dog and dispose of their mess using biodegradable bags.

We are afraid that the routes chosen will not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

All runners and hike/walkers must be 18 or older on day the Marathon takes place.  

All runners and hike/walkers must be 16 or older on day the 25km takes place.  

Trail Escape is a start-up company by three people with over 20yrs experience in mass participation events design and management. 

Trail Escape has received angel investor support from a passionate runner who wants to see new ideas brought to life in the running events market.

The team at Trail Escape are working with Massive, who are an events delivery specialist, who are providing route planning and the on-the-ground events management. 

Entries are currently open on the website at https://www.trailescape.co.uk/enter

There is no difference in the route or terrain.  All participants will follow the same route. The difference in categories are to make sure all runners access the route first and ensure runners are not overtaking walkers.  We expect the routes to be single-tracks in places so to be fair to all we need to split people out.

You will receive email reminders to complete 'guest details'.

The runner = the guest. You must complete the guest details with your details including your shipping address for your race pack.

Race Packs will be sent with bib numbers in the few weeks preceding the event to the 'shipping address' that you add to your registration or 'guest details' that were requested. 

You can log back in to the Easol registration platform and change your shipping address there: https://trailescape.myeasol.com/log-in

Yes we will accept transfers and deferrals. The will be a £10 admin fee to manage the changes.  You can adapt your own entry within the Easol portal.  If you have any problems trying to transfer or defer your entry please contact us at info@trailescape.co.uk

Yes! For example you may enter Trail Escape City No.1 but change your mind and want to take part in City No.2.  We will allow you to transfer your entry to a different Trail Escape city for an admin fee of £10.

Yes if the event is cancelled according to our terms and conditions.
Or, if you choose to pay for Booking Protection at point of entry, you can protect your purchase and request a refund should you need to cancel for unforeseen circumstances or illness.

Booking Protection is an insurance service offered to you via our registration platform Easol. With Booking Protection, you can protect your purchase at checkout and request a refund should you need to cancel for unforeseen circumstances.

All Trail Escapes will be timed. Routes will be well marshalled and signed throughout. Aid stations will provide hydration and nutrition. All finishers will receive an event T-shirt and Medal.

All 25km entries include a £5 donation to our charity partner, Mind. All marathon entries include a £10 donation to Mind.

We are currently working with Mind with £5 from every 25km entry and £10 from every marathon entry being donated to their cause.

If you want to use Trail Escape as an opportunity to raise money for a cause you can enter through the general entry process and then contact your chosen charity and tell them what you have planned.

If you are from a charity and would like to talk to us about a potential partnership please contact us at info@trailescape.co.uk 

Please note that the two distances have different start times.

MARATHON START: 

Marathon Run - 08:15

Marathon Hike - 08:30

25KM START:

25km Run - 09:00

25km Hike - 09:15

We suggest you arrive at the event village AT LEAST 45 minutes before your start time.

We will send out guidance to all registrants closer to the event days on what to bring with them - and this may change depending on the weather forecast.

All participants must carry their own water-bottle or bladder that can hold at least 500ml of water.  Opportunities to re-fill will be available at aid-stations.

Please also make sure you run or hike with a fully charged phone.

We highly recommend all runners where trail running trainers and all hikers/walkers where good quality walking shoes. 

Depending on the weather forecast we recommend runners carry with them a lightweight jacket. We will have well stocked fuel and hydration stations but we recommend carrying either bars or gels between aid stations.

We recommend all walkers consider the same and if the forecast looks like there may be rain / wind then we recommend also carrying some lightweight trousers.

Specific information will be sent according to the Trail Escape you enter but we are working from the basis that all events will start from locations that are easily accessible from the main transport links in each city by foot, bike or car/taxi.

Parking and shuttles buses are open for booking now for Bristol-Bath here. 

We are providing shuttle buses from Royal Avenue, which is opposite the Victoria Park bandstand at the finish in Bath, to the start sites.

Space is limited, passes must be pre-booked.

Shuttles buses for the MARATHON will leave at approximately 06:30.

Shuttles buses for the 25km will leave at approximately 08:00.

Times will be confirmed closer to the event.

We aim to ensure toilets will be at each aid station.

Yes for all events we will have a baggage drop area. 

Trail Escape City Bristol-to-Bath is actually a point to point between two neighbouring cities and we will include transporting your baggage to the finish in your entry fee. 

Please refer to your event's Official Guide for the city you are taking part in, which will be sent out closer to the event and featured on the website.

Please note that you will need to show your running bib to the baggage team after the event to collect your bag. Please do not try to give our team anything more than one standard size rucksack or similar as they may not take it.

In extreme cases we may need to shorten or adapt the routes if we expect extreme temperatures, heavy rain or gale force winds. 

Aid Stations will provide a variety of hydration, snacks and fuel. Sandwiches will be available to marathon hikers. There will be toilets at each Aid Station. 

Please note we will not be supplying energy gels on the route - please bring your preferred gels with you and dispose of wrappers responsibly.

Aid Stations will offer something like the below in 2025 - we are working to confirm our partnerships: 

- HYDRATION & ELECTROLYTES

- OATOPIA FLAPJACKS (TBC for 2025)

- SIMPLY ROASTED CRISPS  (TBC for 2025)

- SWEETS

- BANANAS

- SANDWICHES* (marathon hikers only)

- DR FUNK sparkling drinks (TBC for 2025)

At the finish, we will be working with Athletic Brewing who will provide all finishers with a cold, alcohol-free beer.

Yes there will be cut-off times for each Trail Escape. At this stage in our planning we are working to a 10hr time-limit, which is less than 3miles per hour.  The routes will be clearly marked and marshalled to ensure participants don't get lost.

We will not be providing cups.

All participants must carry their own water-bottle or bladder that can hold at least 500ml of water. Opportunities to re-fill will be available at aid-stations.

Please arrive at the start with your water bottle filled.

Event Packs will be sent with bib numbers in the few weeks preceding the event to the 'shipping address' that you add to your registration or 'guest details' that were requested. 

You can log back in to the Easol registration platform and change your shipping address there: https://trailescape.myeasol.com/log-in

In the event that your event pack does not arrive before the event to the 'shipping address' you have provided in the Easol platform, please first contact us on info@trailescape.co.uk so that we can arrange for a replacement event pack to be waiting for you at the Info Point at the Start (please see maps) on event day. Log back in to Easol at https://trailescape.myeasol.com/log-in