10/05/2026
Trail, Course nature
56,3
km
42,2
km
31,6
km
10
km
Picture this, you're standing on the start line in a beautiful Northamptonshire village and everyone is a little apprehensive about what's to come.
But hey you are all running, some more than others but the excitement and anticipation is the same for everyone and you realize that running is just that – running.
You are about to take part in Shires and Spires, a five distance circular event with a mixture of trails and roads including 10K (road), Half Marathon, 3/4 Marathon, Marathon and Ultra Marathon (35 miles!).
All distances start and finish at Naseby Village Hall which is a great central location close to the A14, M1 and M6 motorways. The routes take in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside and for the Multi Terrain Marathon/Ultra Marathon the country houses of Holdenby, Althorp (home of the Spencer family and final resting place of Princess Diana), and Cottesbrooke.
The Half Marathon, 3/4 Marathon and Marathon give a break from the usual road races at these distances and create a new challenge with the changing terrain.
We have created a mini running festival with the chance to enjoy the excitement of race day regardless of the distance you are doing.
The event is run in a clockwise direction on even years and anti-clockwise on odd years, both give you a different perspective on this scenic route.
Which is harder? That's for you to decide!
---------------------------------------------------
Imagine this, you're on the starting line in a beautiful Northamptonshire village and everyone is a little nervous about what's going to happen.
But hey, you're all running, some further than others, but the excitement and anticipation are the same for everyone and you realize that running is just that: running.
You are about to take part in Shires and Spires, a five-distance circular event with a mix of trails and roads including 10Km (road), half marathon, 3/4 marathon (new for 2024) (31.6Km), marathon and ultra marathon (35 miles!) (56.3Km).
All distances start and finish at Naseby Village Hall, which is ideally centrally located near the A14, M1, and M6 motorways. Routes take in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside and, for the multi-terrain marathon/ultra marathon, the country houses of Holdenby, Althorp (home of the Spencer family and final resting place of Princess Diana), and Cottesbrooke.
The half marathon, 3/4 marathon and marathon offer a break from the usual road races over these distances and create a new challenge with changing terrain.
We've created a mini running festival with the opportunity to enjoy the excitement of race day, no matter the distance.
The event runs clockwise in even-numbered years and counterclockwise in odd-numbered years, both giving you a different perspective on this scenic route.
What's harder? It's up to you!