The Rules (Classic Race)

The Objective
For a four person team to raise a 9 gal metal beer barrel which has integral lifting handles on the rim, filled to a weight of approximately 50kg, from the bottom to the top of the Wrekin Hill up a prescribed course in the shortest time. Entry fee is £10 per team. We hope that each team will raise sponsorship and donate money raised, to the main fund ALL of which will be donated to the Hope House Childrens Respite Hospice.

The Course
A route from a starting line at the old rifle range (grid reference SJ634093 in Wrekin Course the lane that runs along-side the Rifle Range) will follow the little used footpath which climbs to a point just above the 'Half-way House' and on to a finishing line at grid reference SJ631083 near to 'Heaven Gate' - some distance from the summit. This is a vertical distance of approximately 1,000 feet(300 metres) and path distance approximately 1.5 miles (2.4Km). The route will be signed, taped for much of its length and marshalled extensively. Water drinks will be available at various points. Each team will have a team number and will start at an allotted time at an exact minute. This start time will be known by the finishing line marshal who will record the time when the last member of the team, as well as the beer barrel, crosses the finishing line. This way the elapsed time for the climb will be calculated. All team members and the barrel allocated to them must travel the full course.

The barrel will be weighed immediately upon finishing to ensure the weight is unchanged from the start. Many security measures have been taken to ensure that the four team members and barrel that reach the finish are the same that started. Obviously details are not available!

No aids to lift or carry the barrel will be allowed other than gloves worn by the team members. These gloves, which are not provided by the organisers, are intended only to protect the hands and must not be configured so as to obtain an unfair advantage over other competitors. The barrel may be lifted and carried by any number of team members in any order for any time. As examples of the range of acceptability the following will establish the concept. In this case a team comprises one mega-strong person who carries the barrel all the way and is accompanied by three sprinters who never assist in moving the barrel.
In this case each member shares the carrying with any of the other team members on either an equal or unequal basis.
The barrel may be carried by any number of team members at the same time.
It MUST be carried the whole way; rolling is NOT permitted.
The barrel does not have to continue to move forwards up the course but it and the team members must at all times stay within the designated route.

For safety reasons, one member of the team will be tethered to the barrel by a safety strap. In the event that the barrel is dropped, the safety strap will prevent it from rolling too far. The strap must remain attached to one team member at all times. The strap will be long enough to allow the member connected to it to be up to 2m away from the barrel viz. with the other team members but not having to carry the barrel. The tether must not be used to aid the lifting or carrying of the barrel.

The Wrekin Barrel Race is a physically demanding race and all competitors must take responsibility for their own health and declared level of fitness.

All participants must be over 18 years of age. The organisers cannot be held responsible for any injuries incurred by the competitors.

Covert observers and marshals will report any infringement of the rules deemed to have provided a team with an unfair advantage. The decisions of the organisers shall be final.

The Rules (Individual Challenge)
The only difference for this class is that the barrel must be carried by the same individual for the whole of the race route. Up to three supporters may accompany the Individual but they must in not support the weight of the barrel to any degree. They should only in attendance to assist the Individual with encouragement and to provide refreshments etc

The Rules (Ladies Challenge)
Save for the fact that nothing prevents a team of ladies or a mixed sex team entering the "Classic Challenge" this class is for a team of four ladies only. The 9 gallon barrel is empty which is the only difference from the Classic Challenge. All other rules are the same.

The Rules (Fun Challenge)
The rules for this class are the same as for the Ladies Challenge (empty 9 gallon barrel) except that fancy dress of the team members is encouraged and the team can be either single of mixed sex

The Race Route (Detail)
The Start is within the Old Rifle Range that is located on the road known as Wrekin Course. From junction 7 of M54 take the road towards Little Wenlock. Take the first road on the right (approximately 2/3rd mile). This is Wrekin Course. another ½ mile or so on the left is a locked gate with a couple of old huts in the bottom left of the enclosure as you look at it. This is the Old Rifle Range. Take the path up the right hand side of the Range until beyond the "Butts" then turn left across the top of the range and follow the path into the wooded area. After about 250 yards a junction in the path to the right takes the path up hill. A further 200 yards and the path turns steeply to the left through a wet section. The path then continues for about 400 yards along a good forestry road finally turning right up hill to meet the more common route up the Wrekin close to the " Halfway House". The race route then continues up this wide path to the finish line, which is just before "Heaven Gate". A path branches to the right down to the radio transmitter buildings at this point. The views across the Shropshire countryside from here are spectacular. The route needs to be practiced if you are to be well prepared for the race preferably with a barrel - even empty. Please treat the hill with respect. Dress properly for the conditions. Low cloud frequently engulfs the top of the hill. Take a mobile phone and a water bottle. There is no vehicular access without express permission from the land-owners. The resident of the "Half Way House" is NOT the land-owner but he will sell you refreshments. The hill is NOT common land.