MTC LEJOG 26

Race Overview:

The Route:

The MTC LEJOG is our JOGLE route, but in reverse, and follows the classic journey from John O’Groats to Lands End and is almost all on road. Every year we make route amendments to improve the safety of competitors and to offer a more enjoyable running experience. URL also provide each competitor with several hi-viz technical t-shirts and a hi-viz jacket. All these items are personalised with the competitors name, the year, and the race name. Our head sponsors, Mount to Coast, also provide free footwear for each competitor.

It is important that competitors bring along other suitable clothing and equipment to counteract all types of weather conditions. Some of the roads can be quite busy, and it is important to realise that in isolated area's great care and consideration needs to be given during the run. It is on this basis that if URL consider any competitor not fit to continue we will remove them from the race. In addition, there is a minimum 4 mph requirement - falling below the 4 mph you will be withdrawn without debate.

Competitor numbers are limited to 12.

Time restraints:

The MTC LEJOG is incredibly demanding and few athletes will have the fitness or resolve to complete the entire 17 days. As such Ultra Running has preset cut-off times along the route, based on a minimum average of 4 mph / day. If you fall below this minimum requirement you will be advised and given a warning. If the consecutive day is also below 4 mph you will be withdrawn without debate.

Under no circumstances will a runner be allowed to continue on the course after 22:00.

The MTC LEJOG is a Cup-Free event, so please bring your own re-useable cup (available in our store).

Accommodation:

URL provides accommodation at the end of Day 1 through to the end of Day 16. It is each competitors responsibility to book their own accommodation at Land's End and after their finish at John O'Groats.

URL has arrangements in place with Hostels, Hotels, B&B’s and Travelodges along the route, so you can be assured that after the long days run you have a bed and shower / bath facilities available. These facilities will be on a shared room basis irrespective of sex. Where possible female and male athletes will have differing rooms but this may not always be possible. It is imperative that these establishments are respected and kept clean and tidy by competitors. Failure to do so could mean disqualification from the race and additional charges. Private rooms can be made available by prior arrangement.

Check-point food:

Rember - The MTC LEJOG is a cup-free race, so you need to bring your own reuseable cup.

We operate a flexible check-point strategy on the MTC LEJOG.

It is important that we gain an early understanding of the group of entrants each year. From Day 1 we look to offer check-points at 8 mile intervals. Generally though this gets extended in distance by the request of runners. That said, if just one runner needs extra support, we will be there for them.

Example CP food items (which may change) are:

Malt loaf, cake, jam, peanut butter, cheese or marmite sandwiches, sweets, squash, cola and water.

After the Day 1, we soon find out the likes and dislikes of competitors, and where possible we will try to source special requests by competitors, although this may take a day or two depending on our location and the need to support the race.

We will ask you to fill in our dietary needs form to note your food preferences and highlight and allergies that you may have. You will be burning a significant number of calories so it is important we provide food which is suitable for you. If you do have a special dietary requirement we may ask you to provide supplementary food items to accommodate this.

MTC LEJOG entry options:

Run the MTC LEJOG for our nominated charity, Spinal Research, and pay only a non-refundable deposit of £300.00 – and then commit to raising a minimum of £4,500 for the charity. We advise that you book early to maximise your time to raise the money. The minimum value needs to be raised within four weeks of the race to secure your place. On this basis you can also secure a place for the 2025 or the 2026 event which would allow more time to raise the sponsorship money.

All deposits and payments are on a non refundable basis. However, during the check-out stage you will have an option to upgrade and include your own personal protection insurance (See tab on left for details).

Total entry - £3,200.00, also available by installments:
A deposit of £800.00 secures your place, and
4 x instalment payments, paid as follows (latest payment dates):
Jan 31st – £600.00
Apr 30th – £600.00
Jun 30th – £600.00
Aug 31st – £600.00

(Above entry fees available until the end of 2024 for 2025 competitors and then reverts to £3,500.00 on January 1st 2025. This is due to late booking costs of additional accommodation)

Our nominated MTC LEJOG charity is Spinal Research

For information on how to raise the money for the charity please email info@ultrarunningltd.co.uk

By supporting the charity, you can enter the MTC LEJOG race for just £300 (plus booking fee) on the basis that you commit to raising a minimum of £4,500 for the Charity.

The Bling!

All finishers get:

• LEJOG Medal
• LEJOG Trophy
• Bottle of Champagne
• All competitors who reach Gretna Green will receive an additional medal - the LEGG medal.

If you complete both our MTC JOGLE and MTC LEJOG events you will receive an additional award (still in the design stage)

In addition, the 1st place finisher now has the option of experiencing one of the Ultra Running Squads International Adventures in either Tenerife or the UK. (more destinations coming online soon).

T&Cs apply. Maximum flight contribution £200.

MTC LEJOG Maps and gpx files:

URL are continually adapting the route and it is a work in progress that has, and continues to, cost us a not insignificant amount of money and time.

It is for this reason that we only provide mapping and gpx information to our own competitors. This information is emailed directly to competitors four weeks before the event.

MTC JOGLE Route profiles:

Day 1 - 49.9 miles
Start – Lands End, TR19 7AA
Finish – Travelodge St Austell, PL25 5BU

Day 2 - 47.8 miles
Start - Travelodge St Austell, PL25 5BU
Finish - Travelodge Okehampton, EX20 4LY
Total distance – 97.7 miles

Day 3 - 47.5 miles
Start - Travelodge Okehampton, EX20 4LY
Finish - Travelodge Wellington Somerset, TA21 9AD
Total distance – 145.2 miles

Day 4 – 55.1 miles
Start – Travelodge Wellington Somerset, TA21 9AD
Finish – Travelodge Bristol Filton, BS34 5GN
Total distance – 200.3 miles

Day 5 – 54.7 miles
Start – Travelodge Bristol Filton, BS34 5GN
Finish – Travelodge Worcester, WR1 2QS
Total distance – 255 miles

Day 6 – 55 miles
Start – Travelodge Worcester, WR1 2QS
Finish – Travelodge Battlefield, Shreswbury, SY4 3EQ
Total distance – 310 miles

Day 7 –  57.8 miles
Start – Travelodge Battlefield, Shreswbury, SY4 3EQ
Finish – Travelodge Haydock, WA11 9TL
Total distance – 367.8 miles

Day 8 – 55.4 miles
Start – Travelodge Haydock, WA11 9TL
Finish – Travelodge Burton, LA6 1JF
Total distance – 423.2 miles

Day 9 – 56.5 miles
Start – Travelodge Burton, LA6 1JF
Finish – Travelodge Carlisle Central, CA1 1NL
Total distance – 479.7 miles

Day 10 – 55.4 miles
Start – Travelodge Carlisle Central, CA1 1NL
Finish – The Gordon Arms, TD7 5LE
Total distance – 535.1 miles

Day 11 – 51.7 miles, Ascent 1,241 m, Descent 1,359 m
Start – The Gordon Arms, TD7 5LE
Finish – Travelodge Dunfermline, KY11 8RY
Total distance – 586.8 miles

Day 12 – 55 miles. Ascent 1,2 m, Descent 1,247 m
Start – Travelodge Dunfermline, KY11 8RY
Finish – Atholl Villa, Pitlochry PH16 5BX
Total distance -641.8 miles

Day 13 – 56.2 miles, Ascent 1,192 m, Descent 1,107 m
Start – Atholl Villa, Pitlochry PH16 5BX
Finish – Premier Inn, Aviemore, PH22 1PX
Total distance - 698 miles

Day 14 – 55.5 miles, Ascent 1082 m, Descent 1276 m
Start – Premier Inn, Aviemore, PH22 1PX
Finish – Station Hotel, Alness IV17 0SG
Total distance - 753.5 miles

Day 15 – 45.7 miles, Ascent – 788 m, Descent – 789 m
Start – Station Hotel, Alness IV17 0SG
Finish – Helmsdale Hostel, KW8 6JR
Total distance – 799.2 miles

Day 16 –  36.3 miles, Ascent m, Descent  m
Start – Helmsdale Hostel, KW8 6JR
Finish – The Norseman Hotel, Wick, KW1 4NL
Total distance - 835.5 miles

Day 17 –  16.8 miles, Ascent m, Descent m
Start – The Norseman Hotel, Wick, KW1 4NL
Finish – John O'Groats
Total distance – 852.3 miles

 

Navigation and Tracking:

Maps and GPX downloads will be available to entrants only – (don’t forget to bring a waterproof map case). Tracking of competitors can be viewed at real-time by logging into the map link available off this web-page (only available during the race).

Competitors must carry the following items:

Backpack or equivalent
Head Torch with spare batteries
Maps will be provided prior to the days race
Compass or GPS device
Whistle
Mobile phone
Basic First Aid Kit, blister treatment, pain relief etc
Waterproof map case
Trail shoes are advisable for a small section of Day 6, approx 4 miles.

URL will provide each competitor with a tracking devise which will enable individuals progress to be monitored and recorded. The tracking devices also have inbuilt SOS buttons in case of an emergency or required assistance.

Please visit our shop to see a wide range of race related products;

• Personalised Hoodies
• Personalised Shirts
• Personalised Caps
• Personalised Race mugs with your name and finishing time
• Reusable race Cups

Below is an example of the MTC JOGLE information. MTC LEJOG will be in the reverse to the below and will be updated soon.

Breakfast:

Where possible we do get a hot breakfast, but this isn't always possible, depending on where we are staying and how earlier the race has to start. If we can't do the hot option, we generally go for fruit, yogurts, porridge pots etc. Any special requests are also considered.

Evening meals:

Most evening meals are eaten out in restaurants. Alternatively micro-wave meals at the hostels or take-away options, pizza, fish and chips, chinese etc. Nobody goes hungry.

Included is the evening meal only, we don't pay for starters or desserts or drinks - these are at the costs of the individual.

Example of the likely itinerary:

Day 1 - Concludes at Helmsdale Hostel
You will have opportunity to have your own breakfast at your hotel and then you will deposit your baggage in our support vehicle at 8:00, walk down to the John O'Groats sign ready for a start at 8:30 (or sooner if everybody is ready).

The evening food at the hostel will be soup, microwaveable meal which we provide and serve to you, unlimited tea and coffee.

Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, toast and jams.

Day 2 - Concludes at The Station Hotel, Alness
You will eat at the hotel which serves excellent food. The hotel will also provide you with a continental breakfast for in the morning which will be given to you at the end of the evening meal. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in your rooms. It is likely that start times for the day will be split with slower runners starting at 7:00 and faster runners at 8:00.

Day 3 - Concludes at Premier Inn, Aviemore
You will eat in the hotel which serves a good selection of meals. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times of 7:00 and 8:00 for runners.

Day 4 - Concludes at Atholl Villa, Pitlochry
Due to finishing times a lot of restaurants and facilities are closed. So this day is Pizza night. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners. This is due to eating facilities closing early at Dunfermline.

Day 5 - Concludes at Travelodge Dunfermline
So long as runners finish on time, they can eat either at the Harvester or they also deliver. If the Harvester is closed we have Burger King options and Fish & Chips. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 6 - Concludes at The Gordon Arms, Selkirk
You will eat at The Gordon Arms. A menu choice will be emailed to you before the start of JOGLE to make your choices. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, but generally The Hotel has provided us with bacon baps for us to take away which we can give to you on route or a CP1. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 7 - Concludes at Travelodge Carlisle
You will eat at Weatherspoons which has a good selection of food and 5 minutes walk away. Or late finishers / runners who just want to stay in the Hotel, Travelodge does provide a reasonable meal selection. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 8 - Concludes at Travelodge Burton
Limited choices here. We have a Burger King, but also a M&S store which does a reasonable selection of salads etc. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 9 - Travelodge Haydock
A short 5 minute walk across the road to Lyme Farm Dining (similar to a Harvester), with a great selection of food. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 10 - Travelodge Shrewsbury
Next to the Travelodge is Two Henrys (similar to a Harvester), with a great selection of food. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 11 - Travelodge Worcester
The Travelodge has a dining room with a good selection of meals. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 12 - Travelodge Bristol
The Travelodge has a dining room with a good selection of meals. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 13 - Travelodge Wellington
The hotel is adjacent to Skylark (similar to a Harvester), with a great selection of food. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 14 - Travelodge Okehampton
Limited choices here. We have a Burger King, a Greggs & a Subway. The petrol station does have a large store with a large selection of other items, salads etc. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. Similar split start times are likely of 6:00 and 7:00 for runners.

Day 15 - Travelodge St Austell
The Travelodge has a dining room with a good selection of meals. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. This is a short mileage day so we look to start at 8:00.

Last facility provided - Day 16 - Travelodge Hayle
Across the road is a Brewers Fayre, with a great selection of food. Breakfast will be porridge pot, yoghurt, fruit, tea / coffee in your room. This is a short mileage day so we look to start at 8:00.

Fully paid MTC LEJOG entrants will benefit from:

• Mount to Coast will provide each competitor with a brand new pair of road running shoes approximately two months before the event. If any competitor then elects to run the entire MTC JOGLE race using only the MTC footwear, an additional bonus pair will be presented to them at the start of the race
• 50% discounts on any entry to any of our other URL events leading to up the MTC JOGLE race day date. If you are paying on instalments the discount will pro-rata to the amount you have paid.
• Your 50% discount also allows you access to any URL event, even if it is sold out or closed!
• At Land's End you will be provided with Hi-Viz clothing which will consist of a showerproof jacket, six technical tops and a Hi-Viz vest. This clothing will be branded with the MTC & URL Logo, the race name ‘MTC LEJOG’ and your personal name.

MTC LEJOG Time Restrictions:

The MTC LEJOG is incredibly demanding and few athletes will have the fitness or resolve to complete the entire 17 days. As such Ultra Running has preset cut-off times along the route, based on a minimum average of 4 mph / day.

Under no circumstances will a runner be allowed to continue on the course after 22:00.

On completion of Day 1, URL will be able to determine the slower entrants against the quicker entrants. At this time you may be requested to start at split times to make race support for everyone viable. For some this may be an earlier start time than expected, for others a later start time. In doing this URL gives everybody the best opportunity of completing the challenge.

Earlier starters still need to maintain the minimum of 4 mph.

As you reach Day 10 of the MTC LEJOG we may offer more leniency on the 4 mph restriction.

You are now able to add a Personal Cancellation Insurance Policy at the time of your booking.

The policy is provided through Event Protect Limited.

Please review what is covered under the policy HERE.

If you choose not to take out the Personal Cancellation Insurance Policy:

Defer Option: 4 months up to race date you can defer to the following years event for a fee of £250. From four months leading up to the event, URL starts to commit to race costs in securing hotel accommodations etc. Due to this deferal costs can only be worked out on a case by case basis.

MTC LEJOG Competitor retirement:

If a competitor fails to complete any individual day, at any stage of the race, they will be deemed from immediate effect to be out the race, and will be transferred at the discretion of URL to the nearest train station or other agreed terminus.

By signing up to one of Ultra Running Ltd events you agree to abide by our general race rules;

The following are the race rules that apply to all Ultra Running Ltd events and should be adhered to by all race participants.

Each participant must make sure he/she is carrying all items detailed in the mandatory kit list

Competitors must follow the designated route and go through all check points and it is their sole responsibility to ensure that the check point attendant has recorded their race number and entry/exit time along with any injuries; failure to do so at any check point will mean the competitor has failed to complete the race and may be disqualified.

All entrants must be 20 years or over on the start day of the race.

Mandatory Kit List

Competitors must carry the following items. Anyone found not to have the correct kit may not be allowed to start the race

Backpack or equivalent
Head Torch with spare batteries
Route maps as provided by URL
Compass or GPS device
Whistle
Mobile phone
Emergency food pack consisting of a two chocolate bars,
Basic first Aid Kit

Competitor Retirement

If any competitor has to retire from the race for whatever reason they must tell the race organisers immediately. URL will then transport the competitor to the nearest train station, where, under their own steam they make there way back home.

Time Constraints

The organisers want to give every competitor the opportunity of completing the race and will, where reasonable practicable, allow generous opening times of CP Stations; the allowance should be within an average of 4.0 miles per hour. If you fall below the 4.0 miles per hour you will be pulled from the race without concession.

Cancellation

In the event of Ultra Running Ltd. having to cancel the event, an alternative date will be provided. If re-scheduling of the event isn’t possible, or a competitor cannot make the revised date. URL undertakes to refund payments received, less any out of pocket expenses which are determined at 25%.

For all other circumstances, including Competitor cancellations due to personal reasons, refunds are not allowed. But at the discretion of the organisers an entry may be transferred to the following years race providing the request is within four weeks of the event date.

Any ‘transferred races’ or ‘reduced rate races’ are not refundable or transferable in any respect.

Race Photography

Ultra Running Ltd. reserve all exclusive rights relating to photographic coverage of their races. By entering an event, participants agree that Ultra Running Ltd may exclusively use any photographic or textual content captured during the event for advertisement purposes.

Ultra Running Limited (URL) Terms & Conditions

The Agreement

This document constitutes an agreement between you (the Entrant) and URL (the Organiser). Entry into any of the URL races (the Events) is strictly conditional upon the entrant agreeing to all of the terms and conditions contained within this document (the Agreement). It is all entrants responsibility to have read and accepted this agreement before entering/registering for one or more of URL events. All entrants must be aged 18 and over.

Registration Process

Entrants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their personal records within the event database. Should any information change between registration and participation, it is the individual entrants’ responsibility to ensure that they contact URL to update their records accordingly.

Entry Fees must be paid in full before entry to the event will be confirmed.

All event fees are NON REFUNDABLE under any circumstance.

By entering one of URL events, all entrants have acknowledged that they have read and agree to the event terms and conditions prior to their entry in to the event being confirmed. By doing so, the entrant is unreservedly accepting all of the terms and conditions of this agreement.

Use of Personal Data

The organiser or their agents will maintain a registration database for all entrants and their chosen emergency contact. All information will be collected, stored and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

The organiser may use the entrants contact information to keep them informed of the event or to notify them of other events organised or promoted by URL.

Entrants give permission for the organisers, their agents, or any other associated organisations to use any photographs, video tapes, motion pictures, website images, recordings, or any other record of the event. Such articles may be used or included on websites, social media publications, advertising, promotional information, or other publicly accessible sources.

Personal Ability to Participate

It is the entrants’ responsibility to ensure they train appropriately and have the requisite level of fitness to be able to complete safely.

Entrants must ensure their personal health is suitable for participating in the event. If in any doubt the entrant should consult their doctor.

It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure the organisers are informed at the point of entry of any medical conditions that could be relevant for any first-aid treatment.

If a participant believes that it is unsafe for them to continue in the event, it is their duty to notify an event official as soon as practicable.

Participants must be competent runners & confident in their ability to complete the course safely.

Participation in the Event

The event is a race.

All finishers of the MTC JOGLE will receive a trophy, a medal and a bottle of champagne.

Participants must act in accordance with the law and adhere to both the Highway Code and the Country Code, where applicable.

Participants are responsible for competing safely and with due respect for others.

Participants must comply with the instructions of the organisers and other course officials.

The majority of URL event routes are NOT signed, the onus of remaining on course rests with the athlete. Marshall’s are places in appropriate places, according to the individual event and are there for your safety.

Should circumstances dictate, or in the interest of safety, the organisers reserve the right to make such changes to the published event routes as may be deemed necessary at their absolute discretion. In the event of the landowner e.g. the Forestry Commission or National Trust deeming it necessary to close access to the public, we the organisers reserve the right to a) reschedule or if this is not possible b) cancel the event. This will, in all cases be a last resort.

The organiser reserves the right to require a participant to retire from the race where their conduct is considered to be inappropriate. If required to retire the participant must surrender their race number to an event official and take no further part in the event.

Participants have a duty to report to an event official as soon as practicable, anything that they see or hear which they reasonably believe may impact on the safety or welfare of themselves or others, connected to the event or otherwise.

Whilst appropriate risk assessments will be carried out before the event, competitors assume full and complete responsibility for any injury or accident which may occur whilst travelling to or from the event, during the event, or whilst on any premises related to the event.

Racing in public places can be dangerous, all participants in this event must agree to waive, release and forever discharge the event organisers, sponsors, promoters, and each of their agents, representatives, successors and assigns, and all other persons associated with the event, from any liabilities, claims, actions, or damages that they may have against them arising out of or in any way connected with participation in this event. This includes any claims, whether caused by negligence, the action or inaction of any of the above parties, or otherwise.

Cancellation & Refunds

Entry fees for all URL events are NON REFUNDABLE under any circumstance.

Should circumstances dictate, or in the interest of safety, the organisers reserve the right to make such changes to the published event routes as may be deemed necessary at their absolute discretion. In the event of a force majeure, we the organisers reserve the right to a) reschedule or if this is not possible b) cancel the event. This will, in all cases be a last resort.

Defer Option: 4 months up to race date you can defer to the following years event for a fee of £250. From four months leading up to the event, URL starts to commit to race costs in securing hotel accommodations etc. Due to this deferal costs can only be worked out on a case by case basis. We strongly recommend that competitors take out the 'personal cancellation insurance' option at the time of booking.

If, for any reason what so ever, an entrant finds themselves unable to participate, they should notify the organisers as soon as reasonably practicable of their intention to withdraw from the event. This will allow the vacancy to be reallocated to anyone who may be on the event’s reserve list.

Entrants must exercise their own experience and judgement regarding their ability, equipment and preparedness to cope with the prevailing elements before they commence.

General Provisions

This agreement constitutes the whole agreement between the parties and any prior agreement, oral or written, are excluded.

Any failure by any party to enforce or to exercise at any time any term or any right under this agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of that term or right and shall not affect that party’s right to later enforce or to exercise it.

If any term of this agreement is found to be illegal or unenforceable it shall be deemed to be omitted from the agreement and shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the agreement.

Nothing in this agreement confers any right on third parties to enforce the provisions of this agreement under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.