Information for Race Entrants and Supporters
Congratulations for entering the Silsoe Stride! And welcome
Thank you for registering for the Silsoe Stride on Sunday 28th June and for supporting our event. Be sure to arrive well before your start time to collect your race number and chip and take part in the race warm up.
As a reminder, here are some important details for the race day:
Direction
Silsoe is 10 miles south of Bedford and just off the A6. At the church turn east into Park Avenue. The Stride is based on the playing field to the left of Park Avenue, but please follow the signs to the car park area which is past the entrance to Wrest Park house and gardens.
Postcode: MK45 4HR
Location
The Silsoe Stride is held on the playing fields owned by English Heritage next to Wrest Park and around the farm tracks of Home Farm. We thank the Burton family for allowing us to run on private land which is not available at other times.
We use the Sports pavilion as our base for providing Race HQ, Refreshments, a BBQ, a bag drop, and additional toilets.
There is a lot of space between these and the Start, Finish and Registration area for people to sit or picnic.
The playing field is available for all runners to warm up before their races but please stay well clear of the road.
Dogs are allowed on the playing field but please keep them under control and on a lead. Please especially keep them away from the running area.
Home Farm is a working farm – no dogs are allowed around the farm tracks. For your safety we ask that you listen carefully to instructions from marshals. Ear plug and music systems are NOT allowed around the farm.
Car Parking
Parking is available at the bottom of Park Avenue. Please follow the signs and turn left at the end of the field. We have been asked to not park in the Wrest Park parking area or on the verges of Park Avenue. Our reserved space means that you do not have to cross a sometimes busy road.
Photography
We have a team of photographers, their pictures will be posted on the Silsoe Stride Facebook page a few days after the event.
Registration assumes that entrants and supporters accept that these pictures may be used for publicity purposes.
Registration & Race Numbers
You can collect your race number, and chip for seniors, from 8:30 on the morning of the race from the relevant Registration Gazebo.
Registration for seniors ends at 9:15, for Children at 10:15.
Please ensure that your race number is pinned on and clearly visible. The race is chip timed but we still need your race number visible in the event of an emergency. The reverse of the number has an emergency contact information section for you to complete.
Please ensure that your chip is fixed firmly as per the instructions.
Both the 5K and 10K routes are marshalled and the waymarks / signposts are colour coded as are your Race Numbers:
- Red – 10K
- Blue – 5K
- Purple – Children's races
The Senior Races
Both the 5K and 10K routes are off road and multi terrain. Please take care at all times.
The routes follow farm tracks and the surfaces will vary. Home Farm is a working farm, you will see many crops around the route, wild animals and birds, and the herd of cows. Please do not go near to the animals.
There is longer grass in places. On the 10K route through the woods the path follows concrete roads laid down during the Second World War – these are beginning to show their age! There has been major tree work over the past years, some debris remains on the route.
Please be aware that, for your safety, you should not run over the cattle grids – walk only. We plan to open the gates next to them.
After the 2km markers at the junction where the 10K go forward and the 5K turn right, please check with the marshals that you are on the right route.
We ask you not to listen to music or wear headphones or similar items; this could stop you hearing any instructions from the marshals or traffic in the buildings area at Wrest Park.
Dogs are allowed on the field if kept under control and on a lead, but dogs are not allowed around the course.
We recognise that many runners like to record their routes on social media. As the route is across private land we request that you do not share this route with others.
In the event of an emergency, we have First Aid medics available. There should be a Medic cyclist on call. If you see another runner in difficulty, please either run to the nearest marshal and let them know, or stay with the runner and ask another runner to get help.
Adult 10K – starts at 9:30 AM
Open to entrants aged 15 and over on 28/06/2026. Warm up at 9:15.
Adult 5K – starts at 9:45 AM
Open to entrants aged 10 and over on 28/06/2026. Walkers and Nordic walkers are welcome. Entrants aged 7 are allowed if accompanied round the course by an adult.
The finish can be exciting with runners from both races returning together. Collect your medal and a bottle of water after the finish line.
The senior courses will close at 11:00 to allow the Children's races to start but timing will continue for a bit longer.
Children's Races – start at 11:00 AM
Open to children aged between 2 and 10 on 28/06/2026.
There will be a number of races at 100m, 500m, and 1,000m depending on number of entries and ages. Children are allocated to individual races based on age and school year group. Parents may accompany children aged 1 or 2 only.
Medals and Prizes
All finishers will receive a medal.
Finishers of the 10K and 5K will be offered a “buy one get one free” day pass to Wrest Park.
Finishers in the Children's races will receive a small gift.
The first girl and first boy in each of the Children's races will receive a trophy.
The first and second Lady and the first and second Man of the 10K and 5K will receive a financial reward.
Prize Giving
Prizes will be given at approximately 11:30, after the Children's races.
Please take care when leaving as there will be a lot of cars coming into Wrest Park as well as those leaving.
Refunds
ActiveTrainingWorld do not offer transfers or deferrals for this event or any events listed on their website. If you are unable to attend due to illness, injury, family bereavement, jury service you will only be eligible for a refund on production of official evidence: Positive Covid-19 test result, Doctor’s note, Death Certificate etc. Please contact [email protected]
Event Cancellation
If the event should have to be cancelled due to reasons beyond the control of the Silsoe Stride team (for example, severe weather, local or national lockdown) entrants will be given a range of options to choose from, which will include a refund of their entry fee.
