The Major Series: North

The Major North is a trail run operated by British Military Fitness twice a year. The course (in the sprawling Bramham Park estate between Leeds and Wetherby) is littered with all manner of natural and man-​made obstacles. Hills, muddy bogs, thick woods, river crossings, rope ladders, hay bales and logs as well as the infamous giant slide, ‘spider’s web’ and dreaded ice crawl.
Still interested? If so, read on!
It’s important to say that these runs aren’t focussed on speed or time (though you do receive a timing chip in your race pack to attach to your trainers so you can find out your stats online if you want to). It’s about teamwork and challenging yourself. Dozens of BMF instructors are there to help you through the obstacles, from the start of the warm-​up right up to the finish line.
There are about 10 waves of start times in 15 minute slots which begin at 09:30. Bear it in mind that the later you start, the more people will have run the course and ‘muddied it up’ even more than usual!
I’ve done it twice now with friends and we’ve loved it — don’t get me wrong it’s pretty tough-​going in places and you will get dirtier and more soaking-​wet-​through than you’ve ever been in your life, but the sense of achievement on finishing is amazing. It’s not in the same crazy league as events such as Tough Mudder or IRONMAN where slippery monkey bars, the threat of mild electrocution and leaping over fire are the norm.
Rest assured that it’s muddy and wet. Extremely so. So dress appropriately with base layers, shorts and a t-​shirt together with decent trainers (tied tightly so you don’t lose them in a waist-​deep bog). You don’t need to carry water bottles as there are water-​stations along the course.
Loads of information can be found on their website but some helpful tips from my experience would be:
1. Arrive at least an hour before your starting time — there will be 100s of people arriving at once and you need to park up on an adjacent field which is about a 10 minute walk away from the warm-​up area.
2. Valuables such as car keys can be handed in at a dedicated tent (they mark your ticket number in marker pen on your hand so you can retrieve your items afterwards).
3. There are no on-​site showers — bring towels to wipe off the dirt and a change of clothes and shoes.
4. Cover your car seats with bin liners or buy suitable covers.
5. Make sure you stretch afterwards!