Runners enjoying the glorious trails at Deene Park
It’s hard to believe it’s almost a month since the Race Harborough team returned to the beautiful estate at Deene Park for the weekend for one of our favourite events of the year, the Run Rabbit Trail Festival.
And what a weekend it was!
With 5x5k races, a 10k, and a half marathon across the weekend (that can be done as standalone events or together – when they form ‘The Quest for the Golden Carrot’) and an extra mile at the end for the six ‘Questers’ of each gender who have the lowest cumulative time (The Carrot Dash), it’s a unique event and there isn’t really anything else out there quite like it!
Following a hectic day of marking courses on Friday, dawn broke on Saturday, 9th May. The sky was blue and clear, and everything looked set for a glorious day on the trails!
As soon as the gates opened at 9am, runners started arriving to set-up camp and prepare themselves for the weekend ahead. The campsite, aptly named ‘The Warren’, is perched on the top of a hill along from the event village, overlooking the gently undulating Willow Brook valley, with its ridges framed by wooded hills, and acre upon acre of wonderful parkland and farmland.
The Obelisk course on the Trail Mix Challenge
158 runners set off on the Trail Mix Challenge, where runners ran five different 5k courses, one an hour for five hours. We are so lucky in that we have enough routes available that we are able to clearly differentiate each of our courses on the Trail Mix Challenge. We have the ‘Woods’ route, the ‘Boundary’ run, the ‘Green Lane’ route, the ‘Obelisk’, and the ‘Lakes’.
From the outset it was clear that this event would be hotly contested with both Matthew Hathrell and Ben Shirley taking a number of individual 5k wins.
Between each 5k, runners took the opportunity to refuel and rehydrate. The sun had warmed the day sufficiently well that plenty of water and electrolytes were required. Some runners even managed a quick massage between 5ks provided by the on-site team from Collick Injury Rehab.
At the end of a hot and sweaty 25k, it was two great supporters of this event who prevailed. Matthew Hathrell came out on top for the boys, with a cumulative time of 1:44:38, and Elizabeth Mckinlay, having finished as the first female finisher in each of the individual 5k races, took the female honours in 1:56:24.
The male podium for the Trail Mix Challenge. L to R: Ben Shirley, Matthew Hathrell, Quentin Kire
The full podium looked like this:
1st – Matthew Hathrell (1:44:38) & Elizabeth Mckinlay (1:56:24)
2nd – Ben Shirley (1:45:32) & Kate Gooding (2:06:31)
3rd – Quentin Kire (1:46:31) & Emma Curtis-Smith (2:07:51)
Ben Shirley, who finished second male, had entered the event to use it as training for long distance events he had coming up. However, once he realised how well he was doing his competitive edge kicked-in and, despite having a 35 mile race the following day, he managed to push Matthew Hathrell all the way, flying up the hill in the final 5k to to cross the line first and finish less than a minute behind overall (he finished 2nd in his 35 mile the following day!).
And, as if by magic, just as the final 5k concluded, the ice cream van appeared, and a much needed, and well earned, ice cream was enjoyed by many!
Before the next event there was a break to allow runners to eat, drink, and get a much needed massage!
Paul Albon, Race Director of Big Bear Events
There was also the opportunity to listen to guest speaker Paul Albon, Race Director at Big Bear Events, who discussed all things events – the good, the bad, and the ugly!
6:20pm arrived soon enough, and runners congregated on the start line for a short briefing before setting off on the Headlight Hop. 134 runners took on the 10k challenge, many of whom had already completed 25k earlier in the day!
One of the beauties of Deene Park is that the start/finish and event village is located on the top of a hill, which makes a great view for spectators. As the runners set out on each event they can then be seen at multiple points around the routes.
The finish of the Headlight Hop comes back along a funnel through the middle of the event village, which was lined with supporters; runners who had stayed after the first event to soak up the evening atmosphere, and finishing runners alike, who cheered on all of the participants on their way to the line.
The support between runners at this event is truly amazing (and good for the soul). Whilst some of them race each other, others choose to have a more social run, and some just aim to finish, they all are there to help one another on and share an experience only trail running can provide.
Just under 40 minutes after setting off, the first of the runners returned through the funnel and crossed the line in the Headlight Hop! It was Adam Eales who blazed a trail and took first place a whole 5 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Jo Hemmings led the ladies home in 47:29, closely followed by Elizabeth Mckinlay (48:53) who had landed her second trophy of the day.
The Headlight Hop podium looked like this:
1st – Adam Eales (38:59) & Jo Hemmings (47:29)
2nd – Daniel Clarke (44:12) & Elizabeth Mckinlay (48:53)
3rd – Ben Langdown (46:03) & Kate Gooding (52:30)
Following the conclusion of the Headlight Hop, runners had the opportunity to grab a hot shower, some food and drink, and settle down in the event village to enjoy some music from singer songwriter Jack Hopkinson.
Relaxing with a few drinks after a busy day on the trails!
A few beers and glasses of wine were enjoyed (and a few bottles of champagne were even spotted!) as Jack played a plethora of well-known hits, and did at least four encores before he unplugged and the curtain came down on day one of the Run Rabbit Trail Festival.
Time for runners to make their way back to the campsite/home to bed for the evening, in order to be ready to take on day two!
It was a rather overcast day which greeted the runners as they woke up for Sunday’s half marathon. It had been windy the previous evening as we had listened to Jack wrapped in hoodies and blankets, and the wind featured again the following morning.
Most runners welcomed the cooler temperature though which was, in fact, ideal for running.
Runners on the Thump Trail Half enjoyed a great view across the lake at Deene Park
After two laps of the undulating, but stunning, half marathon course it was Daniel Clarke, who had finished 2nd in the Headlight Hop and 4th in the Trail Mix Challenge, who took the win in a strong 1:36:18, over four minutes clear of Matt Webster (1:40:57) in second place.
Claiming her second first place trophy of the weekend, Elizabeth Mckinlay (1:50:41) crossed the line first in the female race. Could she now land the ultimate prize and add the Golden Carrot to her trophy haul for the second year running?
The podium finishers in the half shaped up like this:
1st – Daniel Clarke (1:36:18) & Elizabeth Mckinlay (1:50:41)
2nd – Matt Webster (1:40:57) & Claire Bardsley (1:53:08)
3rd – Gareth Robb (1:49:06) & Oana Sposub (1:59:31)
And so, after running 5x5k, a 10k, and a half marathon, the top 6 male and female participants across the weekend were announced as Daniel Clarke, Elizabeth Mckinlay, Matt Webster, Kate Gooding, Matthew Hathrell, Oana Sposub, Simon Johnson, Zoe Webster, Mat Gilbert, Danielle Gilbert, Allan Howling and Briony Smith.
Now it was time for the Race for the Golden Carrot where the fastest male and female over a final one mile course would wear the crowns.
In a fast and furious race, with Daniel Clarke pushing Matthew Hathrell all the way to the line, it was Matthew who crossed the line four seconds ahead of Daniel to take the male race and the first Golden Carrot trophy.
Unsurprisingly, after enjoying such a fantastic weekend on the trails, it was Elizabeth Mckinlay who was first female, adding a second prized Golden Carrot to her trophy collection, having also won the prize in 2025!
Matthew Hathrell and Elizabeth Mckinlay took the honours in the Carrot Dash
The Carrot Dash final positions looked like this:
1st – Matthew Hathrell (6:10) & Elizabeth Mckinlay (7:55)
2nd – Daniel Clarke (6:14) & Oana Sposub (8:23)
3rd – Simon Johnson (7:13) & Danielle Gilbert (8:32)
4th – Mat Gilbert (7:27) & Kate Gooding (8:44)
5th – Allan Howling (7:55) & Briony Smith (9:18)
6th – Matt Webster (8:26) & Zoe Webster (9:26)
As campervans were packed up, tents taken down, the event village broken down, and arrows and race signage snipped from their stakes, the afternoon sun raised its head and shone down on what had been another glorious weekend out on the trails.
As always, the volunteer team were absolutely amazing, with many of the team out on the course both Saturday and Sunday, covering many miles on foot between marshal locations, and ensuring that all runners had the very best experience.
The Run Rabbit Trail Festival 2026, once again, delivered in so many ways, none more so than in personifying everything that’s good about life on the trails.