ACW50 2027

1            The Event:

1.1        The aim is to complete, on foot, a defined route of at least 50 miles within a maximum elapsed time of 22 hours.

1.2        Participants may start at any time between 08:00 and 11:00 on Saturday 24th April 2027, dependent on expected pace to arrive at checkpoints when they are open. Participants must indicate an approximate start time on the SIEntries form, ie 08:00 for 3mph or less, 09:00 for 4mph, 10:00 for 5mph, 11:00 for 6mph. These times are purely indicative and can be adjusted on the day. All participants must complete the route by 06:00 on Sunday 25th April 2027.

1.3        Participants arriving at a checkpoint before it is open will be required to wait until it has opened in order to be checked in before continuing. Failure to adhere to this will result in disqualification and retirement from the event. Participants must leave checkpoints by their closing times or will be retired from the event.

1.4        The Event is open to LDWA members (£30) and non-members (£40).

2            How to enter:

2.1        SiEntries online from 1st November 2026. Maximum 280 entries. Subsequent entries will be placed on a waiting list in order of time entry was received. When a place becomes available, the entrant will receive an email from SiEntries inviting them to pay for their entry.

2.2        Entrants who find they have to withdraw their entry should do so as soon as possible to maximise the opportunity for other entrants to take part. Substitutions are not allowed as this is unfair to those on the waiting list. The closing date for entries will be Friday 9th April 2027.

2.3        A cancellation policy will be available whereby entrants who cancel their entry will be refunded the entry fee less £5 administration fee. 

2.4        Entrants who have not received the final instructions one week prior to the event date are advised to check their email spam folder and check their online status to confirm their entry. For any queries, please contact the entries secretary by email.

3            Conditions of Entry:

3.1        All entrants must be aged 18 years or over on the 24th April 2027.

3.2        All entrants must agree to comply with ALL of the event rules and with following disclaimer - “I agree to the Rules of the Event and participate in A Coventry Way 50 at my own risk. I understand that I am responsible for ensuring that I have undertaken the necessary preparation and training to participate in the event, that I am sufficiently fit and healthy to participate. I understand that if I have a medical condition that would cause me to doubt whether I can participate in the event, then I will not do so unless I have sought reassurance from the medical profession.

3.3        I will abide by the Countryside, Waterway and Highway Codes.”

3.4        If someone else has entered this event on your behalf, it is a requirement that you also agree to the terms and conditions. Those who enter on their own behalf are considered to be agreeing to the terms and conditions by entering the event.

4            Start and Finish (HQ):

4.1        HQ is at the Heart of England Social Club, Berkswell Road, Meriden, CV7 7LB. Grid Reference: SP 244 818.

4.2        Details of the registration process on the day, including the issue of checkpoint cards and trackers will be communicated to entrants in the final instructions via email through SiEntries.

4.3        Hot/cold drinks, biscuits & toast available at the start. Hot/cold drinks & hot meal available at the finish. Participants & supporters are welcome to patronise the bar when open.

4.4        There is limited space for parking cars at the HoE Social Club. Overflow parking is available at The Bull’s Head, Main Road, Meriden, CV7 7NN (non-patron fees £9.20 for 24 hours) or Meriden Hall fishermen’s car park (free), Main Road, Meriden, CV7 7PT or sensibly on surrounding roads. Strictly NO PARKING on Berkswell Road – too narrow and busy. Please use Main Road for drop off and walk up to the Social Club. Please follow parking marshals’ directions and please park safely and with due consideration to local residents.

4.5        Tent camping is available in the beer garden at the Social Club or on the grass at the end of the right-hand car park for Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th nights. Camper vans are also welcome to park here. Please vacate the premises by 12:00 on Sunday 25th April. Toilets will be available for campers, but there are no showers. Please respect this provision by patronising the Club and leaving no litter.

4.6      A ‘quiet’ room will be set aside for participants to sleep in after completing the event. Please bring a sleeping bag, mat & pillow, if you would like to take advantage of this.

4.7     Bags may be left at HQ during the event at your own risk. Please do not leave cash or valuables (e.g., mobiles/GPS) in them. The organisers accept no responsibility for any losses or damage.

5            Checkpoints:

5.1        There are 6 checkpoints, which must be visited in order. To give you an idea, approximate distances/times are as follows, but are subject to change:

CP1     Burton Green Village Hall     7 miles     10:00 Sat – 12:30 Sat

CP2     Stoneleigh Village Hall     15 miles     12:00 Sat – 14:30 Sat

CP3     Wolston Village Hall     23 miles     14:00 Sat – 17:30 Sat

CP4     Brinklow Community Hall     30 miles     15:30 Sat – 20:15 Sat

CP5     Bulkington Community Centre     37 miles     17:00 Sat – 23:00 Sat

CP6     Fillongley Scout Hut     45 miles     18:30 Sat – 03:00 Sun

HQ FINISH     Meriden HoESC     50 miles     19:30 Sat – 06:00 Sun

5.2        All checkpoints are indoors with toilet facilities. A range of sweet and savoury meaty & veggie food will be available at all CPs. There will be a hot meal at CP4. Some vegan and ‘free-from’ food will also be available. If in doubt, please bring your own.

5.3        Supporters parking is available at all CPs. Please be considerate to local residents, especially during the night.

6            Cancellation and Withdrawal:

6.1        If the event is cancelled (at any point in the planning and delivery period) for any reason the organisers will do their best to contact entrants using the details provided on SiEntries. Entrants are reminded to keep all contact details updated on their SiE entries/memberships pages. The organisers will put a notice on the event website and main LDWA website as a NEWSFLASH and entrants are strongly recommended to check this before departure. Cancellation of the event will be at the discretion of the organisers and entry fees will be refunded less a proportional amount for unavoidable costs incurred.

6.2        If an entrant withdraws their entry on or before 24th March 2027 the organisers will refund the fee, less £5 for administration. There will be no refund if an entrant withdraws after 24th March 2027. 

7            Route:

7.1        The route description and GPX file will be available on the website from January 1st 2027, but may be subject to change due to enforced footpath closures up to the date of the event. Recce walks carried out by entrants using the route description and GPX are at your own risk.

8            Kit Required:

8.1        You are expected to wear and/or carry sufficient clothing/waterproofs to be confident of staying warm and dry throughout the event, including during the night. If hot/sunny, remember sun hat, sun cream & electrolytes. Please look at the weather forecast and be prepared.

8.2        You are responsible for your own navigation. The route is not waymarked. You need sufficient route guidance to enable you to follow the prescribed route and to find your way back to the route if you deviate from it. You should also be able to describe your location in the event of an emergency. Route guidance includes the official Route Description, GPX file downloaded onto a GPS device and/or phone, physical maps with the route marked on and compass. For a GPS device and/or phone, adequate durability/power supply will be required.

• Rucksack or running vest with shoulder straps, essential for tracker attachment in the optimum position for satellite tracking.
• Mobile phone for emergency use.
• Cup or mug (none will be provided), at least 200ml capacity and can stand on its own.
• Capacity for carrying a minimum of 1 litre of water/fluids.
• A working torch with spare batteries/power supply.
• First Aid kit sufficient to treat your own minor injuries.
• Emergency food.
• Reflective markers must be worn on the back of your rucksack or running vest to ensure you are visible to traffic approaching from behind during the night. These are in addition to small reflective logos, piping or other marks and must be highly visible during the hours of darkness.
• Any personal medication which you may need during the event (prescription medicines and/or items such as painkillers, antihistamine, indigestion, anti-motility and anti-emetic). Marshals cannot provide these for you.     

9            Safety Management Plan and Risk Assessment

9.1        These will be published on the event website. Please take time to familiarise yourself with them. Whilst the ACW50 organisers recognise that they have a duty of care towards those taking part, participants must also appreciate they have a duty to conduct themselves in a reasonable fashion and to obey the Rules of the Event. This includes the behaviour of their supporters. Individuals must take responsibility for their own actions.

9.2     Trackers will be used for the safety of participants and for supporters to ‘dot watch’. A link to the tracking website will be sent to all entrants with the final instructions for the event. The link will also be publicised on the LDWA website and Facebook group. Hence, it will be possible to follow the progress of named participants throughout the event. For those individuals where identification on a tracking website could put them at risk, we will offer an alias name. Please contact the entries secretary if this applies to you. Only the event Control would be aware of your true identity as per your entry details.

9.3      If you need to retire from the event, please only do so at checkpoints. If you are collected by a supporter and go straight home, please hand in your tracker to the checkpoint marshals. Otherwise, please ensure that your tracker is returned to HQ or you will be responsible for returning the tracker to TrackTrail at your expense. Under no circumstances should anyone retire from the event without ensuring that the checkpoint marshals and organisers at HQ are informed.

9.4      An emergency telephone number will be provided on the checkpoint cards. Please use this if you cannot reach the next checkpoint.

9.5       Participants must follow the prescribed route and visit all checkpoints and virtual clips in order. Deliberate deviation from the route or missing checkpoints/clips will result in disqualification. Checkpoint opening/closing times will be strictly enforced. Please be aware of these times when choosing a start time.

9.6       No dogs are permitted on the event.