Blended’s FAQ’s
About Blended Trails
Blended Trails is a free to join inclusive community for people that love the outdoors, exercise and to trail run, walk, hike or canicross. We are passionate about trail running, and the benefits it brings for both physical and mental health .
We respect our environment, have an ethos of ‘leave no trace’ and have ambitions to proactively make a change to our environment through the community.
We organise regular monthly Pop Up trail running routes and trail races. The more we grow together the more value we can bring to the Blended Trails Community.
Joining Blended Trails
I’d like to join Blended Trails, how do I sign up?
Welcome ;-) It’s quick to sign up, click here
It takes a couple of minutes, we ask for your name and email address so we can provide you with access to the free members area of the website. Once you’ve joined you’ll receive a welcome email and can login to access all the Pop Up information.
What does a membership include?
Miles and miles of trail running routes, for free. Plus, you can join guided run’s of the Pop Up routes. You’ll be the first to hear about any Blended Trails Pop Up’s or races and have an opportunity for exclusive race entry discounts.
What is Trail Mail?
It’s a members only opt in email we call Trail Mail. We send you quality information about our latest Pop Up, race date releases and any news. Sign up for Trail Mail when you join as a member here.
Do I need to join the social media groups to be a member?
No. However, you’ll get more out of the community if you join us on social, the first place is our Facebook Group, then head over to Insta and follow @blendedtrails and join our Strava Club too.
Running with Blended
I’ve not done much trail running, is Blended Trails right for me?
Yes for sure. If you can walk the trails, and run a few miles on the road then you can most certainly explore trail running. We often do 5km Pop Up routes and we welcome everyone to join in. We are about having fun, meeting and running with friends and making new running buddies whilst enjoying the great outdoors.
Do you do meet up’s for group running?
Yes. The group running is generally focussed around the dates we open our Pop Up’s. These are free to join, and are led by qualified UK Athletics run leaders or coaches. All our group runs are at a social pace, and with a run and wait policy so we stay as a group.
Can I run for Blended Trails at another organisers race?
Yes, it’s a great way to show your support of the Blended Community and spread the word. Check out our Merch Store looking Splendid at Blended, you’ll find running tops, and super comfy hoodies to slip on after a race all with the signature Blended Trails logo.
Do you have teams for races?
We group together and form teams for events. If you’d like to start a team with your mates and run for Blended Trails just post in the Facebook Group, and tag friends in to form a team and let us know which event you are planning to run at. We’ll help set up teams with you.. it’s all part of the community vibe.
Merchandise
Where can I buy a Blended T shirt?
We’ve a merch store, click here to browse and buy.
We don’t hold stock, all orders are placed directly with our suppliers who print and ship to you from the UK.
What kit do you have in the store?
High wicking, high performance running T-shirts, vests and long sleeve tops. We also have leisure T-shirts, super soft hoodies and caps for running, or hanging out in. Browse and buy
How long to orders take to ship?
Please allow 10 days from date of your order. If you’ve not received the merch within 10 days please email ollie@blendedtrails.co.uk and we will follow up the order with the suppliers.
Pop Up trail running routes
About the Pop Up’s
Our trail running routes are on public footpaths, byways and bridleways and small sections of roads that link these public rights of way.
We plan off-road trail routes, mark them, create a digital map, and a Blended Trails GPX file for download, we test run the Pop Up trail running route and share with our Community. We Pop Up in different locations, often at short notice and for 9 days, the temporary directional signs are then removed leaving no physical trace. The Blended Trails Pop Up information is prepared for you and shared via our free members area. Enjoy.
Pop Up information
How do I get the info about a Pop Up as soon as it’s available?
As a free member we’ll send you a Trail Mail (email) with all the info you’ll need. Click the link to Pop Up information in the email and login to the members area of the website. Navigate to the Pop Up you’d like information for.
How long are the Pop Up’s open?
Typically 9 days which covers two weekends. We may extend this date, we’d let you know on social media if we do.
Where can I find the the Pop Up information?
On the free members area of the website. Login and then click Welcome Trail Runners at the top of the page. You’ll see a dropdown menu, select the Pop Up you’d like to check out.
What distances are the Pop Up’s?
We’ve done Pop Up’s from 5k to 25k. The majority of the routes are 10k, however it’s possible to link some of the routes to get some epic trails.
Following the Pop Up’s
How do you mark the routes?
We have distinctive black and orange signs with arrows. We tie these to trees, gates, hedgerows, finger posts or anything that we can that’s visible and not needing permission. We don’t nail, screw of use fixings that cause damage. We will always collect the markers after we have said the Pop Up is closed, and within a day or so. Sometimes a stray marker may be missed, if you see one please let us know.
I’ve head some Pop Up’s are on Private land, can we use these as well?
Not without permission from the landowner. When we’ve arranged a Pop Up that uses paths on Private land we don’t include the route files on the website after the Pop Up has closed.
Can I use routes after the Pop Up’s close?
Yes, of course and we love that folk are out there using the trails we’ve shared. We will have collected all the signs once the Pop Up is closed, so you’d need to navigate the route using a digital map, or GPX file. This info is available in the members area.
How do I follow a route with a GPX file?
A GPX file can be downloaded from the Pop Up information page. After you have downloaded the file, import it to your preferred app such as Strava, or Ordanance Survey. The route will then be available to use, titled Blended Trails Pop Up.
Pop Up facilities
Are there any facilities at a Pop Up?
We are selecting locations for Pop Up’s with local facilities in mind (as well as the awesome trails), this includes cafe’s, pubs and where we can we reach out to local coffee vans to see if they are available to come at a weekend. Some of our ealier Pop Up’s have no local facilities, you’ll see on the Pop Up informtaion what’s local.
Are there toilet facilities at a Pop Up?
Not unless we’ve organised a Pop Up at a venue, or from a pub. We’ll let you know if there are WC facilities.
Is there parking at a Pop Up?
If we can organise parking by permission of local landowners, pubs, Parish Councils we do. We’ll always let you know if there is parking, but if using a route outside of the Pop Up open dates then please check before you park.
Races
About our races
During the pandemic many folk had itchy feet and were missing the buzz of a race and the race day vibe. The first Blended Trails race was The Hattingley Half (trail half marathon) launched and sold out during the pandemic and raced with a waved start when Covid safe rules were changing. This was the start of our event journey and we are buzzing to bring memorable experiences to the community in 2023.
Races
What races has Blended Trails organised?
We organised The Hattingley Half (trail half marathon) starting and finishing in Medstead, Hampshire passing through the stunning Hattingley Valley home to the vineyard and English Sparkling wine. Click here to see the Hattingley Half route on Strava or to have a crack at the route .
We organise The Hard Yard.. a 10 mile trail race in the Candovers Hampshire. A race hosted at a private venue, accessing private land and trails including a beautiful tree lined avenue for the finish.
Why was Hattingley Half over half a marathon?
For a few reasons ;-) We love to give you extra bang for your buck, well we do but that was’nt the reason. Trail races don’t necessarily need to be exactly measured although we defintely try to get as close to the advertised distance as possible. It’s often difficult to get a trail route to be spot on the distance, Hattingley was entirely on Public rights of way and and started and finished on Medstead Village Green. We wanted the race to have a central space and be the start and finish of the race. This meant the route was a little longer than a Half Marathon.
What races do you have coming up?
We’ve a few races in the planning stage, save 23rd and 24th September 2023. This will be a weekend event, with 2-3 races of different distances to choose from.
Further dates and information to be released in Jan 2023.
Join Blended Trails free today to start receiving our Trail Mail and be the first to hear.
Venues
Where do you hold your races?
We are based in Hampshire so our races to date have been on the awesome trails we have miles of in this County. We look to collaborate with land owners and venue owners, and like to support local businesses.
Will you hold races in other Counties?
Absolutely. We’ve always got eyes open for potential locations. If you know of a location please do let us know.
The event
What can I expect from a Blended Trails event?
Fantastic trails, relaxed and friendly vibe, quality suppliers and a great venue that supports runners and spectators. A professionally organised event, with an experienced race director, and venue host together with friendly and extremely helpful volunteers (thank you all).
We will detail exactly what you’d get for your race or event entry with specific race information. To give you an idea we’ve included free event photography, eco finisher medals, spot giveaway goodie bags, prizes for category winners and chip timing with live results.
Are events family friendly?
Yes, absolutely.
Are events dog friendly?
Yes, we love our canine friends. Incidentally, our Pop Up’s are really popular for Canicross. We’re not yet at the stage of introducing Canicross races.
I’d like to help at an event, are there options to help?
Yes. We could’nt put on our events or races without the help of volunteers #blendedcrew
No matter how little or much time you might be able to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Just drop us a note on this quick and simple form and we will be in touch. Or if you prefer, send us a DM on social.
Sustainability
Our ethos and sustainability
Leave no trace, source locally and sustainably, identify and action environmental initiatives to the Blended Trails community for the benefit of all and our planet.
Collaborating
We’ve identified these initiatives to support
Reducing landfill from running shoes.
Planting trees and not giving away event T’s
We’d like to hear from you
If you know of, or are involved with environmental initiatives that can be implemented within a community we’d like to hear from you. Please send an email to ollie@blendedtrails.co.uk to start a conversation.
Reducing waste
Recycle your running shoes, and other trainers
There are in the region of 18 billion pairs of running shoes sold in the World each year. That's the equivalent to 2 pairs of running shoes per person on earth. It’s estimated that some 30+ million pairs of shoes end up in landfill every year!
With a 1000+ people in the Blended Trails community, we can make a difference. At Blended HQ we intend to help reduce the amount of shoes ending up in landfill.
Please get in touch
Use this form to reach out to us about
Blended Trails
Sponsoring Blended Trails or an Event
Podcasting
Volunteering
Collaborating
UK envionmental initiatives
Anything you don’t see in our FAQ’s