Experience the excitement of a night trail run in the Surrey Hills! Navigate through the woodlands under the stars, with your path lit by your headlamp. The fresh night air and winding trails provide a unique and invigorating challenge.

Join us for an unforgettable run through one of England's most beautiful landscapes.

The Dark Skies returns for an undulating yomp through Surrey’s muddy, rolling hills in Dorking. Passing through the Denbies Estate in the Surrey Hills it’s a thrilling night trail 10 miles, 10K, and 5K race (with Canix races), as well as a 1K/2K kid’s race for 3-11 year-olds. This year, entrants will contribute to the Dorking Area Food Bank.

This is the second race in the Wild Night Run Series spanning Devon, Somerset and Surrey.

Itinerary

Event timing

4.00 pm - 5.40 pm: Registration at Denbies (event marquee/gazebo)

4:30 pm - Start of kid’s races

4.50 pm - Finish of kid’s races followed by the presentation

5.30 pm - Start of 5k, 10k races

5.50 pm - Start of 10-mile race

7.15 pm - Presentation 5k and 10k

7.45 pm - Presentation 10 miles

8.00-8.30 pm - Catering closes

Food and refreshments

Cake, teas, coffees and chilli/stew will be available from the catering Hath at Denbies.

This is scheduled to close at 8 pm, although we have asked for it to be kept open until 8.30 pm.

Toilets

Toilets are available inside the front entrance to Denbies Hall.

Parking

Parking is available for at least 200 cars in the main car park. However, we encourage people to come by bike or share a lift for the benefit of the environment.

Kit List

Functional running wear and appropriate off-road running shoes are presupposed for all races.
The course will be muddy, so grippy fell-type shoes would be the best option. Road shoes will not be appropriate.

A head torch is required, as well as spare batteries and a long-sleeved top.

Anyone running with a dog MUST keep their dog on a harness at all times.

Kit List for the 5k, 10k and 10 miles

• A head torch + spare batteries

• Long-sleaved top.

• Collapsable cup/speed cup or drinking container 

• Mobile phone

• Waterproof jacket 

It should all fit in a bumbag, camelbak or mini-rucksack. 

NB: Please note To reduce single-use plastic we will not be providing cups, so please bring your own if you want to make full use of the feed stations.

Registration 

**Please download the One Time App before you arrive**

You will collect your race number and the race tag before assigning yourself the tag ID on the One Time race app. 

Timing tags

We are using One Time RFID tags for this event. You will be sent instructions on how to download the (free) app, so you can assign yourself a tag ID. You will collect your race number and shoe tag at check-in, which you will attach to your shoe at registration. The tags are designed to be carbon-friendly/reusable and will be automatically scanned when crossing the finishing mat.

Cut-off Times

8.30 pm for all races

The organisers do reserve the right to pull runners out or ask runners to switch to a shorter distance if necessary, although we have never had to do this!

Course Marking 

All races will be well marked out with reflective arrows, bamboo canes with reflective stickers, flashing red lights, yellow squares and triangles.

However, we still recommend that you familiarise yourself with the main features of the routes by looking at the maps and profiles on the relevant web pages.

Baggage

You can leave bags in the main marquee next to registration using the tear-off tag on your race number.

Navigation Back-up

We recommend you install the OS map or the Outdoor Active map to your phone and download your race route for all distances.

Then, in the unlikely event you go off course, you will be able to see (at a glance) where you are on the map. 

The courses will be well-marked but we can’t entirely prevent course tampering. The Outdoor Active routes are linked from the bottom of the map pages below.  If you wish to upload the GPXs to a watch it is best to download the GPXs from our shared Google Docs link. If you want to put the Outdoor Active GPX into a Garmin device or OS Maps, you can filter it through Bike Hike here http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php and then re-upload. 

T shirts and souvenirs

There will be a collection of organic WR Series running vests and t-shirts for sale, as well as a limited number of long-sleeved tops. We do have a card reader but please also bring cash just in case!

Medals, Prizes and Results 

This year we will be donating a Clives Pie to Dorking Area Food Bank. To reduce the cost of entry, we are making our handmade wooden medals an optional extra.

Results will be posted live at Webscorer. You can download the free Webscorer app (for iPhone or Android) to your phone and view the results immediately (if the mobile signal allows). Otherwise, we will publish them on our website on Monday. 

Prizes will be for the first three men and women overall in each race. Please stay for the presentation if you think you may have won something. We will not be posting prizes. 

Food and Drink Stations 

There will be one feed station on the race course with water Vats, some sweet things and something from our event partners

The location of the feed station is in the public car park in Ranmore Common Rd, opposite the Rectory, by MP 10.

Medical Support 

First Aid is provided. There will be a First Aid Tent at the start/finish area but in the field adjacent to Denbies' main building, where Park Run starts. We will also send out first aiders to the course if needed.

Dark Skies Surrey Hills Kids Races

• 18/01/2025, 16:50

  1K Kids Run

  Enter £10.00
• 18/01/2025, 16:50

  2K Kids Run

  Enter £10.00

Dark Skies Surrey Hills Main Races

• 18/01/2025, 17:25

  5K

  Enter £19.00
• 18/01/2025, 17:30

  10K

  Enter £24.00
• 18/01/2025, 17:50

  10 Miles

  Enter £28.00

Dark Skies Surrey Hills Canix Races

• 18/01/2025, 17:30

  Canix 10K

  Enter £24.00
• 18/01/2025, 17:50

  Canix 10 Miles

  Enter £28.00

Location

Directions

Parking is available for at least 200 cars in the main car park.  However, we encourage people to come by bike or share a lift for the benefit of the environment.