Yes, the team at Breaking Strain are available to answer your questions by

• Phone: 07568 563061 
• WhatsApp: 07568 563061
• Email: events@breakingstrain.co.uk

To coin a Ted Lasso-ism: "We don't not care. We care very much. We care about who you are and what you must've been going through. Yeah? But hey, from now on, you don't have to go through it all by yourself".

Ultimately everyone's welcome at our races provided people treat each other as they'd want to be treated themselves and we look after each other out on the trails.

If you've been to our headline event, Run the Blades, you'll know that the community is incredibly supportive, kind and welcoming - whilst we've driven some of this by how my team of staff and volunteers naturally interact with the runners, it's about the group of runners themselves who have built that.

• LGBTQ+ : Ultimately as Ted says, we don't care. Love who you love. Be who you want to be. Not sure why it would matter to us when you're entering a race. Frankly the fact that this needs to be written in 2025 is fucking ridiculous.
• Non-binary: We've had non-binary on our race entry forms since 2017. We're not asking anyone to polarise between deciding to put male or female when you sign up for the race. To date at Run the Blades we've not provided a trophy for non-binary runners as we only ever get a maximum of 2-3 runners per year across the three races. This isn't about excluding non-binary from the podium, it's just with those numbers, the non-binary category isn't currently a race, as everyone would get a trophy for finishing. I hope this changes in the future and that those who identify as non-binary feel safe enough to come forward and be part of the event.
• Disability: Where we can, we'll make reasonable adjustments to allow you to enter our events/treks. We have had visually impaired runners, runners with cerebral palsy and MS, someone in a wheelchair do the 10K at Run the Blades for four years and we've taken a quadruple amputee to the summit of Kilimanjaro. If you're a carer for someone with a disability and they need a guide runner with them, we'll give the guide runner a free entry (and a medal and a goody bag - you're not surplus to requirements at the end of the race).
• Female athletes: You make up over 50% of our race attendees so not looking after you is a terrible business model (apart from everything else)! We don't operate a time sweeper system at our headline event, Run the Blades, as historically/typically it penalised females at races. We all have different race strategies - run your own race.  At all our events we provide period products in the Event Village and at checkpoints and will have designated female changing space within the Event Village. If you get pregnant after you've entered the race (or if you sign up postpartum, but your training hasn't gone quite to plan), we'll defer your entry for two years (or you can receive a refund if that's a better option for you).We'll also give partners (in whatever form they are), a one year deferral if your partner has just given birth or you're near the due date.
• Prize money: If a financial prize is offered at an event, we operate an equal prize pot for male and female athletes. Can't see a reason why we wouldn't.
• Fitness levels: We offer a range of distances, the ability to walk or run and to take part in a team to hopefully make the event accessible for almost everyone.
• Socio-economic: The world has gone to shit with the cost of living crisis impacting the amount of transferable cash available to families. If you're struggling financially, give me a shout and I'll see what I can do to allow you to race. We've partnered with Into Ultra to provide some free places to our events each year.

We try to get stuff right but sometimes you don't know what you don't know until something happens (to be fair, there's probably stuff in the paragraphs above that I've not got right). If you think we should be doing something that we're not doing, let me know. I've just never felt that we needed to advertise our inclusivity stance as everyone's welcome and it's always been that way for us - it's just not even a discussion point (which I realise puts me in a privileged position).

Lee (Owner & Race Director)

No woman should be penalised for being pregnant! If you become pregnant after signing up (or if you sign up postpartum but your training hasn't gone quite to plan), we'll defer your entry for two years (or you can receive a refund if that's a better option for you).

We'll also give partners (in whatever form they are), a one year deferral if your partner has just given birth or you're near the due date.

Just drop us a line.

Parking

There is limited on-site parking directly by our Event Village. We'll have further information regarding parking nearer the time once we know the level of interest the race has received. In 2018 and 2019 we guaranteed our 24 hour and 12 hour runners a parking space as they used that as their base camp. For the 6 hour race we provided tent pitching spaces in the Event Village.

Public transport

Bus: If travelling by bus, you can catch the Lothian Buses number 26 from the top of the Waverley Steps on Princes Street to Holyrood Palace. Our Event Village sits to the rear of the palace. Single trips cost £2.40 with City Day Tickets costing £3 (latter suitable for 6 and 12 hour events).

Train: The closest train station to our Event Village is Waverley Railway Station. This is just under a mile away (approximately a 20 minute walk).

Cycling

We will have cycle racks behind some of our gazebos where bikes can be stored within the Event Village.

The Event Village, which is located at the rear of Holyrood Palace on the grass:

• Portaloos: we will have approximately 15 portaloos within the Event Village including an accessible toilet. There aren't portaloos on the route as it's a 5K loop.
• Runner spaces: each runner can have a car or tent space in which to rest and store their personal gear.
• Marquees: There will be a catering tent where you can sit and relax between laps.
• Coffee: We'll have a coffee truck in the event village. The world could end and we'd still have intravenous caffeine.
• Food vendors: there will be food vendors . Details to follow.

Yes, provided that this is processed before the cut off date 14 days before the event. There will be an additional charge if moving up the distances but you will not receive a refund if moving down the distances as this creates admin work for the team where we have to manually amend details.

We’re also pretty flexible if you decide that you want to change race once the event has started (in case you’ve bitten off more than you can chew or just fancy going to the pub). In this instance, someone moving down a distance cannot then win the shorter race. Runners base their race strategy and pacing on loads of factors and then having someone parachuted in to the race mid-distance impacts that.

Absolutely. Breaking Strain was conceived on the back of a long history of charity fundraising and to-date our events and treks have raised over £3.1 million for the causes they've supported. There are two ways to run for charity: sign up and then run for your chosen charity or in some cases charities have bought bundles of tickets in advance and will be advertising on their own website.

Some charities have discount codes that gives free entries to runners in lieu of meeting a minimum fundraising amount. Drop us an email to events@breakingstrain.co.uk or a WhatsApp to 07568 563061 if you have any questions.

• The route is just over 5K/3 miles and follows the Queen’s Drive road around Arthur’s Seat for the majority of the distance. The elevation profile varies, with challenging inclines and declines. 
• At the Hawes roundabout at the east of the park (Commonwealth Pool end) the route descends the grassy slope to the right of the road until back at the Event Village. The route will be clearly marked using standard Breaking Strain arrow boards (yellow A3 signs with a black arrow).   Please note that the Queen’s Drive ‘High Road’ is still open to vehicles so please run on the pavement. There will be two road crossing points which will be marked and signed.
• As this is a looped route, there will not be any additional checkpoints other than at the start/finish point in the Event Village.
• On the 24 hour event, during the hours of darkness we'll put a car up on Queen's Drive to increase the safety of runners. This will be in position between 22:00 - 05:00.

Absolutely. We'll have a coffee truck and food vendors on site all day in the Event Village and you can wait there for your friends/family to arrive back.

Alternatively if you'd like to support out on the route, the course is fully open to the general public. Queen’s Drive will be closed to vehicles for the entirety of the event so if you’re planning to go onto the High Road you’ll need to do so on foot or by bike.

A great way to support out on route is to join us as a volunteer in the Event Village.

We would never cancel an event unless participant safety was significantly compromised. However, bad things occasionally happen. In the event that we are forced to cancel an event we definitely don't win financially when this happens - we've already potentially spent thousands of pounds on medals, water, first aid provision, marquees, portaloos, barriers, signs, staff, vehicles, branding, good bags, liaison with local authorities/ emergency services, event licensing etc.

We take your safety incredibly seriously. We've backgrounds in the emergency services and we recognise when we're told to restrict an activity for certain reasons that we don't do so lightly.

We regret that we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations  is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of “force majeure”.  Force majeure means any event which we as the Organiser or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

Unfortunately we don't allow dogs on the course. Whilst your dog undoubtedly will be well behaved and will run on a short lead, not everyone is as diligent as you.

This is to cut down on the potential for issues with other dogs out on the course which is a popular dog walking area. It also reduces the number of dogs in and around the Event Village.

All runners can have a support crew who will be based at the Event Village. This should be limited to one or two people based from either one car or one tent.

During the hours of darkness, 24 hour runners can have a support runner for safety. This will be allowed between 22:00 - 05:00.

No pacers or support runners are permitted during the final hour of each of the three durations.

Race Rules - All Runners 

Please note that race rules may be changed ahead of the event. These will be finalised ahead of us sending out the runner Race Info emails approximately 3 weeks before the event. We'll have copies of the race rules within the Event Village.

• Every runner, individual or as part of a team, must complete at least one lap during the race to be counted as a Finisher and to receive the Finisher’s medal.
• You do not always need to be out on the course running, whether an individual or team. It is up to you to plan how many rest stops you take and when.
• You must start and finish your lap in the designated start and finish areas. This ensures you have a timed lap and that we know who is out on the course at any given point for your own safety. These areas will be heavily signed, pointed out and clearly explained at the race briefing.
• Only completed laps will count.
• You must cross the timing mat at the entrance gate to complete a lap. The next lap will start when you cross the timing mat at the exit gate.
• An hour before the end of each race, participants (of that race only), will be moved to a shorter 1km loop on the grass by the Event Village. This is so you do not waste distance as only completed laps count. You will not be allowed to start a new 5km loop if you are heading out within the final 60 minutes of the finish of your race. For example, 6 hour participants finish their race at 4pm. From 3pm onwards, you will be required to run on the 1km loop. If you finish your lap just before 3pm and want to start a new one straight away, you can choose to go out for a final 5km loop, or wait until the 1km loops opens at 3pm.
• If you decide that you want to change race duration once the event has started (in case you’ve bitten off more than you can chew or just fancy going to the pub) we're pretty flexible on a case-by-case basis. In this instance, someone moving down a distance cannot then place or win the shorter race (unless it is done in the first hour of the race or declared immediately before starting). Runners base their race strategy and pacing on loads of factors and then having someone parachuted in to the race mid-distance impacts that.

Race Rules - Teams

• Only one member of a team can be on the course at any one time (we'll be a bit more lenient on the final lap if you all want to do the last one together so you can get a photo crossing the finish line together). If your team is in contention to place in the top 3, this will not be allowed.
• You can only swap team members inside the official start and finish area within the event village. This will be clearly explained to you during the briefing and will be signed in the Event Village (effectively like a relay change over).
• Team members can run in any order and any number of consecutive laps. It is up to you as a team to decide your strategy throughout the course of the race.
• If a team member needs to drop out mid-race i.e. due to injury, this is allowed and your team can continue.
• Teams may amalgamate during the race if, for example, two competing teams lose multiple team members. However, teams can still only be a maximum of 4 members and amalgamated teams will not be counted in the results unless the new team agree to accept the lower of the two initial team's laps as their amalgamated start distance. i.e. Team 1 has 10 laps and Team 2 has run 11 laps. The new teams laps would count from 10 laps as it's the lower of the two.
• Not all team members need to remain in the Event Village at all times. In 2019, some teams decided to run double laps to allow the other team members to go to a hotel to sleep, go to the shops for supplies.

Results

• The winning team or individual, is the one who completes the most laps in their category.
• In the event of a tie, the winning team or person, will be the one who does the distance in the quickest time i.e. 1st place – Team A – 150 miles in 23:49:00 / 2nd Place – Team B – 150 miles in 23:55:00

Mandatory Kit

• A mobile phone (to call the Race Director in case of emergency)
• Enough water to keep you hydrated throughout. We'll have water within the Event Village but as there aren't any hydrants in the park to draw water it would be helpful to bring at least a 5 litre bottle if you're running the 24 hour race.
• 24 hour runners must bring a head-torch for the hours of darkness.
• It is also worth considering bringing with you: suncream, hat, midge repellent, a reuseable mug so you are not using takeaway cups for hot drinks, warm clothes to put on between laps or when resting and a waterproof running jacket in case of rain. It's Scotland. There'll be some weather.

Support Crew

• All runners can have a support crew who will be based at the Event Village. This should be limited to one or two people based from either one car or one tent.
• During the hours of darkness, 24 hour runners can have a support runner for safety. This will be allowed between 22:00 - 05:00.
• No pacers or support runners are permitted during the final hour of each of the three durations.

Noise & Music

• We are very lucky to have been granted permission to run an event in the Royal Holyrood Park in Edinburgh’s city centre. Please limit noise levels between the hours of 11pm and 7am to abide by the law and respect local residents.
• We understand that you may need some tunes for motivation, and you are welcome to use headphones. However, please be aware of other runners and marshals who may be trying to pass you by or communicate with you.

Litter

• Don't be a litter bug! Breaking Strain Events operate a 'take only photographs, leave only footprints' policy. Please use the recycling bins provided and do not leave any traces of litter behind.
• If you take food, gels, lager/pimms/vodka out on your laps make sure you either bring it back with you into the Event Village where we'll have loads of bins or use one of the bins out on the route.
• We will do a litter sweep post event to ensure we hold our end of the bargain.

And finally

• Our team of staff and volunteers are here for your safety and enjoyment, please follow their instructions - there'll be a reason why they're asking you to do something - they're not just being dicks (they wouldn't be on the team if they were).  The team have a LOT of experience. Lee (the Race Director) organised his first event back in 2009 and has planned and organised over 100 races or challenge events in the UK and overseas including Run the Blades, Run the Borders and previous editions of Edinburgh 24. The bulk of our freelance staff have well over a decade's race experience each and our volunteers have  volunteered with us multiple times. They're here to support you on the day so please treat them with respect.
• In the event of any disputes relating to the event, results or the safety of any runner, we'll endeavour to treat everyone fairly, with patience and we'll take appropriate action - you've paid to attend and spent the time training so that's the least that we can do. Ultimately though the Race Director's decision is final. Sometimes the RD has to make difficult decisions that why he gets the 'big' bucks.