'Britain's toughest 10k'!

The 'substantially harder' route for the Knacker Cracker race, from 1 January 2025.. not running down the Burford Spur slope, but instead using the old military road. Also, this now does not run up to Juniper Top (too ecologically sensitive) - but instead goes up the bottom of Happy Valley (which should perhaps be renamed 'Unhappy Valley.' It just gets steeper and steeper!

Kids' fun run, the Nipper Knacker; Ladies most welcome for the ladies' race - the Knicker Knacker, while men will feel a punishment in their gonads, during the Knacker Cracker!

The route is exactly 10.000km and includes ascent of 473m and descent of 335m.

Sorry, earphones/headphones not allowed on the course - don't run in a bubble!

If Box Hill is not available for any reason, we will be using the Knacker Cracker 'B' Course, around Denbies Vineyard. Still a tough course!

The Knacker Cracker was voted Britain's best trail race in 2012 and 2013 and was voted Britain's best 10k in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by runners voting at Runner's World

Entries after 8pm on 1 December will not have their names on the race t-shirts, due to production deadlines - sorry!

Parking and registration area at Denbies Wine Estate, and race start at the BOTTOM of Box Hill. NO PARKING AT THE TOP OF BOX HILL! After the race, you will need to walk back to your car at Denbies.

Knacker Cracker Panorama at Box Hill Lookout (Solomon's Memorial), by Brian Barton, on a sunny day!

(normally...) A run for hearty man fellows and lady fellows, mostly on rough tracks, and including superb views over the North Downs, the Mole Gap, Denbies Vineyard, and Dorking.

Wishful thinking weather forecast: warm and sunny. (actual weather forecast)

Historic Box Hill by Turner and by George Lambert (both paintings at the Tate)

New-new Course records (2022 onwards): Male: Steve Winder (50, Epsom & Ewell Harriers) 49:15 (2022); Female: Katie Lysons (29, Clapham Chasers) 56:00 (2022)

New (2015-onwards) Course records: Male: Rhys Gillard (24, Southend AC/Leigh-on-Sea Striders) 50:15 (2019); Female: Carla Molinaro (34, Clapham Chasers) 55:50 (2019)

(Old-New) Course records: Male: Sylvain Garde 45:51 (2011); Female: Carla Molinaro 52:44 (2011)

(Old-old) Course records: Male: Darren Treadaway 43:43 (2009); Female: Sarah Rollins 48:26 (2009)

Marshals

Marshals are needed for car parking help, start help, course signalling, finish help and goodie bag delivery. All marshals get soup and rolls, and a hearty pat on the back - and a free place in a future race of your choice! Marshals will be needed from 09.45am onwards on 1 January.

Please contact us for further information.

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Spectators

Best places to see the runners are as follows:

11.00-11.30am - (Start) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble

11.30-12.00 - National Trust Lookout, top of Box Hill (up the Zig Zag Road)

12.00-12:15 - Stepping stones, River Mole

12.15-12.45 (Finish) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble

All times are approximate!

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Knacker Cracker no-group

• 01/01/2025, 11:00

  22nd Knacker Cracker

  Enter £40.00

Location

Directions

The race registration and parking is now at Denbies Vineyard, London Road, Dorking. RH5 6AA

Dorking main Railway station and Dorking Deepdene station are about a 1km walk from race registration. Dorking West is about 2.5km away.

From the North

Get off the M25 at Junction 9: follow signs for Dorking A24. After a couple of miles you'll go down a long hill and turn left at the bottom, at the roundabout. Follow the A24 for about 3 miles, past Mickleham village, round the infamous Mickleham Bends (immortalised by 10cc as 'deceptive bends' and still taking victims today), and follow along the long straight for about a mile. The second exit (straight on) at the roundabout, and drive for about 500m until you get to another roundabout with a statue of two cyclists on it. Take the third exit, for Denbies Vineyard: follow the road under the railway bridge and park up at the vineyard.

From the East

Either use the M25, Junction 9 (and then follow instructions as for 'North'), or use the westbound A25 (Redhill, Reigate, Betchworth, Brockham etc). 

In this case, when you get to the roundabout at the interection of the A25 and the A24 (with the giant chicken on it), turn right onto the A24, and drive north. 

***You'll go under the railway line, through the traffic lights, take the first exit at the roundabout, to Denbies Vineyard. (Note the looming mass of Box Hill on your right - you are going to be running up and down this quite a lot). 

From the West

Either use the M25, Junction 9 (and then follow instructions as for 'North'), or use the eastbound A25 (Shere, Gomshall, Westcott etc). In this case, drive straight through Dorking, admiring the Christmas lights, and passing Dorking Halls and Leisure Centre. When you get to the roundabout at the interection of the A25 and the A24 ('big chicken'), turn left onto the A24, and drive north. Follow instructions above at ***

From the South

Either use the M25, Junction 9 (and then follow instructions as for 'North'), or use the northbound A25 (from Horsham direction). When you get to the roundabout at the interection of the A25 and the A24 ('big chicken'), go straight on along the A24, and drive north. Follow instructions at ***

The finish is still at Box Hill Fort, at the TOP of Box Hill, Surrey, UK, KT20 7LB (you should walk back down to Denbies to collect your car, if you are parked there.

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