Provisional Start Times: Run 10:00am, Duathlon/Relay Duathlon 10:15am
Run: 8km £26Duathlon: 8km Run, 13km Bike, 4km Run £47
Relay Duathlon: 8km Run, 13km Bike, 4km Run £59
ENTRY DEADLINE: 9PM MONDAY 18th FEBRUARY 2013 (OR EARLIER IF FULL)
The fourth race in the Human Race Off Road Race Series takes us to the stunning Pippingford Park Estate in East Sussex.
The private estate and deer park in the heart of Ashdown Forest consists of mostly woodland and heath with an abundance of natural wildlife, making for a truly stunning venue. TuffMan is the jewel in the crown for the Human Race Off Road Series and will ensure an exciting and rewarding race in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The sights and scenery are stunning and it is the perfect venue for a gruelling, challenging yet rewarding race.
Depending on the weather, the underfoot conditions can be challenging in a variety of ways. Two years ago thick mud led to many finding it tough going on the bike while in 2012 freezing conditions meant both the bike and the run became highly technical not to mention very quick on the downhill sections.
Whatever the weather, Saturday the 23rd of February at Pippingford Park will host a day of winter sport not to be missed...
Great Setting, Tough Race!
The off road duathlon will start by the manor house set right in the heart of Pippingford Deer Park and take you out into the heart of Ashdown Forest on foot and two wheels. First up its an 8k run with a variety of different terrains on offer. The gruelling 13km ride will then lead you down the infamous down hill mountain bike course recently built by the guys from the Southern XC races. This superb downhill section will take you down flowing, sweeping single-track trails, incorporate beams, jumps and plenty of climbing. The trail will take you down to the bottom of the estate where the single track continues along six lakes, where your ability and tactics will be tested to the limit to ensure your dryness for the rest of the race!
The loop circuit back up the manor house is fierce and with the final 4km run to encounter it is imperative that you pace yourself to ensure you complete the race. Don’t run out of gas before the final climb in full view of the finish!
Take to the Trails
The off road 8km run will start close to the stunning manor house and follow a winding course out into the vast Ashdown Forest. Feedback from the 2012 event told us most were glad to find an event that truly showcased some ‘proper trailrunning’ and the spectacular setting added to the overall experience.
The route will undulate through a thick canopy of pine trees, before looping back over the hilly terrain and into the home straight. The gradient for the finishing few kilometres is steep, so be prepared for a tough, uphill finish.
Take a peek at what’s in store...
If you’re still wondering what TuffMan might have in store for you, why not take a look at some of the pictures from last time out. You’ll see hills, bikes, dogs, a bit of (frozen) water, some tired faces and a surprising amount of smiling going on despite the chill. Check out the gallery here.
The Human Race Off Road Race Series
TuffMan is the fourth race in the 2012/13 Human Race Off Road Race Series, now established as the UK’s premier winter multisport series. All of the races in the series are not for the faint hearted and each event will test your strength, stamina and ability. The emphasis is on taking on the challenge and surviving the course so you can take home lots of great memories in the process!
Before the TuffMan there is series opener WildMan and grime-fest MudMan on 8th December before the IceMan cometh on the 26th January. After IceMan it’s over to the really rough stuff for TuffMan on the 23rd of February and the fast firetracks of TrailMan on Saturday the 6th of April.
The Series Leaderboard
The 2011/12 Series saw the introduction of a Series Leaderboard in the Duathlon which led to some pretty stiff competition across the five races in both the male and female categories. British Cross Triathlon Champion Richard Stannard emerged victorious for the men while Kate Robson, World Long Distance AG Champ took the honours for the women. 2012/13 looks to be hotter than ever with some high-calibre athletes taking to the start line. That doesn’t mean the series is just for the speed demons though, consistency is everything and simply completing the events is something to be proud of.
New Trail Running Series Leaderboard added
This year the Duathlon Series Leaderboard will be joined by a brand new Trail Running Championship. Points will be awarded for the top fifty finishers in the longer of the two Trail Runs at each event with some great prizes on offer for the overall Series Champions. Each event features differing terrain designed to play to the strengths (and expose the weaknesses) of different types of athlete at every turn. Hillrunners, demon descenders and those that can run quickly over suspect terrain will find themselves well catered for!
Canicross and Running with your Dog
As with the 2011 Series, running with dogs is welcome at the TuffMan and all the other events in the Human Race Trail Running Series. There are a growing (and very friendly) contingent of dogs and their owners taking part in the Trail Runs so why not come on down and join in the fun! Just be sure to keep your pets firmly on a lead at all times as Pippingford Park has a thriving population of deer on site.
RaceInformationPack
AS SOON AS THE RACE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, IT WILL BE POSTED HERE.
TuffMan Course Map - CLICK TO ENLARGE
RaceLocation
Directions and Public Transport:Pippingford Park Estate, Nr Gatwick, Nutley, East Sussex, TN22 3HW
AA Route Planner Directions from East Grinstead, CLICK HERE.
Closest train station to Pippingford Park:
East Grinstead Railway Station, Railway Approach, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1EB
The station is 7.4 miles from the venue, so a warm up cycle ride away, or a taxi!
OtherStuff
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