The Drop - Oxford

Question 1

What do you get

Accepted Answer

1. Transport to the Start Location: We provide transport to the event’s start location (Drop Points). Please ensure you arrive at the designated pick-up point on time, this is usually just a 2 or 3 minute walk from race registration/finish and we will always walk you there.

2. Support Vehicles: Support vehicles will be out in the area; however, 'let’s be clear — we will NOT be collecting or rescuing you'. Be prepared to complete the event on your own.

3. Finisher Memento: All participants who finish within the cutoff time will receive a special memento to commemorate their achievement.

Additional Services (Not Included in the Entry Fee but, available where possible) - Food & Drinks: Hot meals, snacks, and drinks will be available at or near the event HQ. Please bring cash or card. - Live GPS Tracking: Most events include live GPS tracking, allowing you to share your progress with friends and family.

Question 2

Rules

Accepted Answer

The following will get you disqualified;

Using of a gps device. Recording your progress is acceptable, but the device you use will have to be sealed in the emergency bag. (We will supply this and seal it for you!)
Using a map other than any that we choose to give you! (Obviously if one is on a bus stop etc, you can use it but you can NOT take your own!)
Using anything except your own two legs to get you to the finish!
Breaking the seal on the emergency bag

Cut-off time 5 hours for both the 10 & 15-Mile!

Question 3

What support is available along the route

Accepted Answer

There is NO support available after the start.

NO first aid

NO physio

NO toilets (unless you come across them on your way!)

NO water

If you don't like this don't enter.   There will be NO sweeper vehicle, you have to make your own way back before the cut-off.

Question 4

What is the terrain?

Accepted Answer

How the heck do we know, the route is entirely your choice, hills, moors, canals, tracks and road... You decide, but what ever you do, make sure you have fun, enjoy this as an adventure not a race!

Question 5

What kit do I need to bring on the day? (See mandatory kit!)

Accepted Answer

There are several things that you will need on the day to help you to perform your best, the following list is just a suggestion of what we have found useful - talk to other athletes, join a local club who will be able to give you some great advice and develop a list to best suit you.  Warm/suitable clothes for prior to and after the event, these can be left at the HQ and will be at there on your return. (leave nothing on the transport)  Race numbers - pinned/attached to your race t-shirt/top or race belt, and any medical conditions clearly written on the back of your number.  You will need to show your race numbers for the duration of the event and at prize giving.   (you collect these from us at registration on the day) Map of how to get to the event venue! 

Question 6

Mandatory kit

Accepted Answer

MANDATORY KIT - ALL EVENTS BETWEEN September 1st & April 20th require ALL kit! For Summer events see exceptions below.

This is a mandatory kit list for all competitors - no exceptions, no excuses. Every person needs to have there own.

Prepare for any conditions. Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification from the event.

Waterproof Jacket
Foil Blanket or Emergency Bivvy
Whistle
Waterproof Trousers (don't have any! get over to amazon now, they range from £5.99 to...)
Winter Visibility Gear
200ml water

Winter you are required to have and carry all items, Summer everything above except waterproof trousers, see notes below.

Waterproof Jacket

This isn’t a fashion show or a theme park ride. Your jacket must feature a waterproof membrane with taped seams. Anything less, and you’re out, just be sensible: will your jacket keep out the rain, we do not expect you wearing a £1000 expedition parka, but, we do expect something that wasnt desinged for a winter night out in Newcastle (no offence meant to any one from newcastle but we know you are made from tougher stuff up there!!) .

Foil Blanket / Bivvy Bag

Lightweight, compact, life-saving. Have one.

Whistle

A loud, functional whistle for emergencies. No gimmicks (metal whistles will freeze to your lips in cold weather!).

WINTER for The Drop is September 1st to April 20th (Summer is everything outside these dates)

The following two items are required for all events between September 1st and April 20th, regardless of weather conditions. While we may adjust requirements based on favourable weather, this decision is ours to make. Be prepared for the worst, regardless of the forecast.

Waterproof Trousers

Fancy gear isn’t required. A basic, affordable pair (e.g., £5.99 from Amazon) will suffice. Note: You’re not expected to run in them, but they must stay with you at all times.

Winter Visibility Gear

You’ll need a back light (a glow stick or similar), a high-visibility top, or another visibility aid to ensure other road users can see you.

Also consider adding a compact First Aid Kit just the essentials.

Don’t gamble with your safety, our safety or your teams…

Spot Inspections

We’ll conduct random kit checks on race day. If, in our judgment, your gear is inadequate for the conditions, you will not start the race. (read this bit again... Random that means we will not have to inspect everyone but, you wont know if its going to be you or not!)

Foil Blankets - Whistles - Glow Sticks available for purchase on the day

Prepare like your mission depends on it.

Just rememebr we have no idea what route you are going to choose,... we need you to be prepared for all eventualities!!

Question 7

How can I check race results?

Accepted Answer

- Race results will be available live at the finish line for participants who finish before the cut-off times.
- Results will be published on our website within two hours of the race ending, under the 'Results' section.
- On the day of the event, results can also be accessed at the race results centre located within the event centre (see Wane).
- It is your responsibility to check the website for quick access to your results.

Question 8

Can under 18-year olds enter your events

Accepted Answer

We are sorry but due to Child Protection and Insurance restrictions, we do not currently allow any under 18-year olds to enter our events. But keep in touch or drop us an email as this might be changing.

Question 9

Do I need to bring any forms with me

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can download and complete the form now, it's on one of the menu links below in the website footer, we have blank copies available at registration.

Or direct link here

Download "HERE"

Question 10

Are there any water / feed station

Accepted Answer

NO but, you may pass shops etc so take some change or bank card!

Any event between April 1st and November 1st, you are required to carry a minimum 200ml of water, we recomend 500ml!.

Question 11

Drop Bag

Accepted Answer

Please leave a drop bag with us at registration at the event centre.

A drop bag! This must NOT be larger than a shoe box sized bag, think Tesco carrier bag, remember there are loads of you and we have limited space! (leave nothing on the bus as it will not be returning)

Question 12

Where do I park?

Accepted Answer

Most of our venues have NO parking. Please park sensibly nearby, car share, use public transport, remember you will be needing to park up for a few hours and city centre parking can be expensive, Edinburgh cost us just under £60, London £45 in 2024!

Question 13

Refunds

Accepted Answer

NO, there will be NO refunds.

From the moment you enter we start to incure costs. Do read the line above again! Emailing and asking will not help, we will just refer you back to this, or more likely we wont reply.

Please go checjk terms of entry for all options.

Question 14

Change of participant

Accepted Answer

 If you wish to have another competitor take your place a £10.00 admin charge will be made and this can not be done less than 14 days before event day.

Question 15

Registration Times

Accepted Answer

This is 09:15 to 09:55 no later after 09:55 you will not be able to participate no excuses on this as the bus leaves at 10:00 and you have to be on sat down and briefed, blindfolded and away!

Question 16

Start Times

Accepted Answer

These will depend on the exact location of the drop points and how long transport takes to get you there, expect this to be anything between 10:45 and 11:00

Question 17

Cut off Times

Accepted Answer

5 hours for both the 10 & 15-Mile or 6-Miles that's 15:00 - 3 o'clock no later, if you can't make the generous cut off time, DO NOT enter this event, you will be putting your self and our team at risk.  (15 miles as the crow flies could end up been 20 or more depending how lost you get)

Question 18

Can I bring my watch?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot wear any type of watch during the event, regardless of the reason.

However, you are allowed to bring your watch with you. Like your phone, you can store it in the bag we provide for your adventure.

Question 19

Strava

Accepted Answer

Yes you can use Strava, Garmin, Suunto or any other type of tracking, simply start your chosen tracking device when you sit on the transport, seal it in the bag we provide and take it with you. On your return, crop out the vehicle section of your adventure. #Strava

Question 20

Catering

Accepted Answer

Hot drinks and snacks, beer & coffee may be available at some events, either in the venues or next door, make sure to bring some pennies to refuel, they will NOT be free!

Question 21

Kit Check

Accepted Answer

How do we check your kit? Rather than check everyone's kit which as you can imagine would take way too long at registration, we perform random spot checks. A member of our team will pick on three or four people during registration and on the way to the days transport, they will be asked to show just two items from the mandatory kit list, these items will be different for each person asked. All those taking a podium position will be required to show every item on the kit mandatory kit list.

Question 22

Can I enter The Drop as a team?

Accepted Answer

Yes — you can enter solo or as a team. There’s no strict maximum team size, but based on experience the ideal number is 2–4 people. Bigger groups slow down decisions and usually end up with one person doing all the thinking while everyone else follows.
Every team member needs their own separate entry, and teams must start, stay, and finish together. If you split up on the route, you are no longer a team — you’re now solo runners.

Question 23

What do teams need to know about kit, rules and navigation?

Accepted Answer

You can share snacks and morale, but each Dropster must carry their own mandatory kit (waterproofs, foil blanket, whistle, etc.) — don’t assume someone else packed it. Jet has probably checked already especialy for snacks!.
Teams can navigate together, argue together and panic together, but the rules are the same as solo entries: no phones, no watches, no GPS, no maps. Being in a team doesn’t make the challenge easier — just louder and usually funnier.

Question 24

GPS Trackers?

Accepted Answer

Do I have to wear one?

Yes. All Dropsters must carry a GPS tracker for the full event.
No tracker = no start.

Why do you use them?

Safety.
Trackers allow us to monitor locations in real time so we can act quickly if needed.

Are you tracking my route?

Yes, but only during the event.
Tracking stops when you finish.

Privacy & Data Use

Trackers are used for safety, not marketing.

During the event:

Live location is visible to event staff only
Anyone else can see you only if you share your private tracking link

We do not use live tracking data for promotional or advertising purposes.

After the event:

Any routes shared are real event data
No live locations
No personal details without permission
Used only to reflect what actually happened on the day

Tracking stops as soon as you finish.

Can friends or family follow me?

Yes – only if you share your private tracking link with them.

Tracking links are:

Issued individually by email a couple of days before the event
Available again on event day from The Drop Ops Team if needed

You decide who gets it.

Where do I carry it?

In your emergency bag or securely on your person.
We’ll show you exactly where to place it on the day.

Will I get my route afterwards?

Depends on the event.
At the finish, tracking data may be available so you can view:

Your route
How others approached the challenge

The Drop - Oxford

Organic Adventure Ltd

The Drop - Oxford

4.7/5