Information for Female Runners

Here at First Light Adventure, we’ve always aimed to make our events as inclusive as possible. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to race and we are excited to join the She Races network as an accredited race organiser.

Below are some of the actions we have taken to demonstrate our commitment to providing inclusive events and to help break down the barriers of female participation in trail running.

We are always keen to listen to any feedback so we can continuously improve and ensure more women join us on the start line and have a brilliant experience when they race.

Level the startline

• Inclusive imagery: we use a range of images of female and male event participants in all our marketing, including photos of back markers as well as the frontrunners.

• Race overviews: we provide detailed information on the nature of each event e.g. distance, elevation, terrain. Many of our races are self-navigated so we provide detailed route notes, GPX files and maps where appropriate. We offer advice on navigation and will help anyone who enquires about learning more navigation. We are planning to offer recce’s of some race routes in future to increase confidence and encourage women to sign up to races, particularly the ultra marathons.

• Generous cut offs: our race cut-off times have always been generous in order to encourage participants of all abilities to have a go. For our lunar trail half marathon races, we are now offering an optional early start for slower athletes or for athletes who don’t want to run through dusk/in the dark.

• Planning: all event information is available on the website and we send pre-event emails to participants with further details of race day logistics. We have an active social media page and a “contact us” page on the website. Racecheck reviews are easily accessible: links are included on the website and race entry platforms. We offer navigation courses and can signpost to other providers where appropriate.

• Fair deferral policies: we offer deferrals for up to 2 years (or a refund) for women who wish to postpone their entry due to pregnancy or adoption. Our Ts & Cs are some of the fairest in the business.

Equal the experience

• Toilet and changing facilities: we use village halls/community centres as the HQ for our ultra marathons and 20 mile races. These have separate male and female toilets and provide sanitary products/disposal bins. For the lunar trails half marathon races, we have portable toilets at the race start/finish with hand sanitiser. Period products will be available at all future races.

• Safety: we aim to ensure our female participants feel safe before, during and after each event. Aid stations generally have a mix of male and female volunteers who keep in contact with the Race Directors. We always have both male and female first aiders at Race HQ and on the course. Lunar trail half marathon races: we are offering an optional early start for slower athletes or for athletes who don’t want to run through dusk/in the dark. Additional marshals wearing hi-viz and glow sticks will also guide along the woodland section of this route to guide runners along and to provide further assurance. Runners will be given the option to be anonymised in the results if they wish.

• T-shirts and race bibs: we do not give out t-shirts for sustainability reasons. Race bibs are not overly large.

• Breastfeeding athletes: we ask any runners or volunteers who may need to breastfeed to please contact us in advance of the event so we can discuss how we can support and make special provisions as required.

Respect our competition

• Equal coverage: equal reference is given to men and women in any discussion or photography of the race. Race results highlight the top 3 men and top 3 women and women’s results will be separated out in future.

• Room to race: most of our starting areas are spacious. Where this isn’t the case, faster men and women will be called forward and encouraged to take their place near the front.

• Equal prize money: prizes are always of equal value and suitability and post race celebrations are equal for men and women.

Terms and Conditions

By entering our event or activity you are confirming that:

You understand and accept that the event is a potentially hazardous activity in a dynamic environment and that there may be risks unforeseen by the organisers.

You are responsible for your own actions and safety.

You have sufficient fitness and experience to take part and are experienced enough to make a rational decision about choice of kit and equipment.

You are entering with full knowledge of the nature of the challenge presented by the event.

You will comply with mandatory kit, the Countryside Code and any additional requirements specified by the organisers.

You will not be allowed to run with your dog at our events as our race routes pass through farmland with livestock. Our insurance doesn't cover any incidents involving runners with their dogs.

You understand that we will take photographs at our events for marketing and promotion purposes and give us permission to use any photographs of yourself.

If you do not wish for photos/videos of yourself to be used, please inform us by emailing hello@firstlightadventure.co.uk

Event Cancellation

Where situations arise that are outside of our control (extreme weather / flooding etc) which affect our ability to deliver the event, we will endeavour to inform participants of the situation as soon as possible and the following options will apply:

If necessary, an alternative date will be sought and communicated. Additionally, an alternative event could be agreed upon.

The provision of refunds to participants (in full or part) will be dependent on the specific circumstances and timing in relation to the date of the event. While we reserve the right to retain entry fees paid if the event is cancelled or postponed due to matters beyond our control, the extent that this would be applied would be dependent on the costs incurred to the date the situation arose.

Participant Cancellation

For each event / activity, we refund the entry fee less a £5 admin fee up to 5 weeks before the event / activity date. No refund will be given after this deadline. Our races specify the cancellation deadline in the T&C's at the time of booking.

For training sessions and guided runs where payment is required in advance, the refund less £5 admin fee is available up to the cancellation deadline of 10 days prior to the session.

It is our policy to offer deferrals for up to 2 years (or a refund) for women who wish to postpone their entry due to pregnancy or adoption. 

Transfers to another participant

It is our general policy to allow participants to transfer their place at an event to another person, subject to the replacement meeting any qualifying criteria specified (e.g. age, experience). However, the onus is on the participant to find a replacement and the transfer must be complete, with full details of the replacement provided to us, before the transfer deadline specified for the event.
For our races, the transfer deadline will be stated in the information provided about the specific event on our website, together with details of the process for arranging the transfer.
For guided runs and other events booked in advance, the transfer deadline will be 48 hours prior to the event, unless stated otherwise in the details about the specific event.

Volunteering at First Light Adventure Events

Without the help of our wonderful volunteers, we could not run our events.

Our team of marshals generously give their time, and our race participants are always so grateful for the help they receive in achieving their goals: “the marshals are always ace”, “incredibly supportive and friendly”, “fantastic and encouraging marshals”.

To give you an idea of what’s involved, duties might include:

• registration – helping to register runners’ attendance, give out bib numbers, answer any queries
• car park marshal
• checkpoint marshal - recording runners at the checkpoint, helping to fill water bottles, ensuring the food/drink table is well stocked, encouraging runners
• course sweepers – following and encouraging the last runners in, clearing any litter
• finish line marshal – helping with time keeping, preparing food/drinks for runners at the end of their race

In return for volunteering, you will be given race credits to use for FLA events:

1 - 3 hours = half a race credit

3 hours plus = full race credit

Plus, lots of nice food and our heartfelt thanks.

If you decide you want to be part of our fantastic team, have a fun-filled day and get that feel good factor, we’d be delighted to hear from you. All you need to do is complete the volunteering form and we’ll be in touch!

Upcoming Races where volunteers are needed: