CASTLE RACE SERIES
“The best mud run event I've been to. Great post-race facilities - hot showers to warm back up, and then really interesting to interact with the real life Marines for demonstrations. I went with my 4 boys, aged 9, 8, 6 and 3 and all of them had a great time. We certainly created core memories, they are asking already when can we go back to do it again.”
Joel T.
“Brilliant event! Great set up in the event arena - there are not many events where you get fire pits, hot showers and warm changing rooms! Great warm up with the PTIs. Great course - lovely grounds to run around, quality obstacles with a good mixture of difficulty. Good for families and OCR enthusiasts.”
Craig C.
Attention Recruits!
Signed up or thinking of signing up to this challenge? This guide will provide you with all the information you need about our military obstacle course, Commando! Having spent 10 years in the Marines myself, Commando was born from a passion of racing and wanting to create an authentic military experience for civilians.
Held on the historical grounds of Hever Castle, Kent, recuits will crawl, climb and clamber their way to victory! Many of the obstacles are designed to be exact replicas of the training obstacles faced at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon. At every obstacle, all recruits will face our Royal Marine Instructors, ready to put you through your paces! But just know they will only push you as hard as you want to go - anyone can take part!
Our goal is to ensure you have the best experience possible and for your loved ones to have a great time supporting you along the route and celebrate with you in our festival village. We want you all to soak up the atmosphere and make use of the castle grounds for the day. We wish you all the best for pre-race preparations and we look forward to seeing you at the warm up arena for a weekend to remember.
COURAGE, DETERMINATION, UNITY
Brian Adcock Commando-In-Chief
FEAR LESS,
DO MORE...
The Hever Castle Commando obstacle race is the only event that can recreate the mud, sweat and pain of modern day Royal Marines Commando training. Have you got what it takes?
Test yourself across a 3k, 6k or 12k course, taking on some of the toughest obstacles straight out of the Commando test book.
Finisher T-shirt
riffle
SIGN UP NOW
COURSE DESCRIPTION
WARM UP ARENA
All competitors, including those doing the 3K, 6K and 12K, will start in the warmup arena, where our PTIs, Bart and Dougie, will gets heart pumping and blood flowing. Do not be fooled, you will be worked hard in the arena! From here, all waves of recruits will meet our Commando-In-Chief, Brian, at the Hever Lake loggia for your briefing as you embark D-Day Landings
D-DAY LANDINGS
The D-Day landing craft will take all recruits across the Hever lake. Once the craft is docked, expect smoke and a loud battle audio simulation. All recruits from D-Day Landings will make their way to Esterine Emersion.
ESTERINE EMERSION to OVERSTRETCHED
Run, walk or crawl through a built-in channel of deep, thick mud. Make sure your shoes are tied extra tight! At the
end of the channel, all 3K recruits will head left along the lake path to River Cross. 6K and 12K recruits will head right to the Tunnel Rats, a series of dark low tunnels that recruits must crawl through. Recruits will dash to the third obstacle, Smarty Tubes! This is where you will get wet and will crawl though water filled polytubes. Th Mole awaits your next! You will walk over a planked bridge before climbing a 15ft high scramble net structure and then making your way down either a fireman pole or netting.
PYRAMIDS
A series of ever growing pyramids made out of bailed hay. In 1956, The Egyptian Army tried to annex the Suez Canal, one of the most strategically important trade routes in the world. 45 Commando were the point force and made the first ever helicopter assault on the city of Pont Said. This commando obstacles is a memorial to the enduring bravery and spirit
THE WIRES to LEAP OF FAITH
When you arrive at the wires, you’ll be faced with a military battle simulation, recruits must make their way through smoke and elastic ropes across uneven terrain. Green band recruits will be made to crawl the whole way to Slippery Slope! A steep slope is between you and the monkey bars where you will test your upper body strength! Once past the bars, you face Scramble Net, where you make
your way through a series of tyres and climb up a cargo net to Doom Drop. A popular obstacle for recruits, Doom Drop is a steep slide where you will gain some speed! You then face another test of bravery at Leap of Faith, where you will go through a dark slide, leading you onto a soft foam sheet.
CATACOMBS OF DOOM to CREEPY CRAWLY
Are you then brave enough for the caves? You will have to navigate through the pitch-black Catacombs of Doom following the military Cyalumes lighting the path out! A short run up with the chance to grab a drink at the aid (we heavily recommend) before heading to Swing for your Life Here you will hold the rope and swing from one side to another above a deep muddy bog! We recommend you hold on tight and fully commit! A short jog will take you to Walk the Plank, a series of seesaws that you’ll need top balance for.
Next, you will head to Peter’s Pool, a 30m section of the Hever Lake that recruits must get from one side to another Green Wristbands will be expected to fully submerge! To get across you will have a rope to hold onto the entire time.
RIVER CROSS to BLOCKER
All 3K recruits will join the route here from Estuarine Emersion. River Cross
will test your courage, recruits will abseil down the natural bank into the river Eden. From here, you will navigate alongside the lake to Raiders of the Lost Commando. Here, you and your group will need to get from one side to the other using military boats Teamwork is key for this! Once you’ve crossed, Frogger awaits! Frogger is one of our more comical obstacles on the course. Recruits will have to cross another section of the river via karge inflatable donut rings, but you make take a dive into the river! Again, you must fully commit! From Frogger comes the Blocker, a 6ft high wall which you can jump or climb over.
THE CHASM to THE WALL
The Chasm is a wired rope obstacle where recruits will have to traverse across a section of the river. Recruits can traverse or crawl along the rope! Once you have completed the Chasm, you face the Wobbly Bridge, this is another teamwork obstacle! With a small run though the Hever Estate, you are met with Sheep Dip. This is a test of nerve and requires trust in yourself and the instructors, as you will be sent through a tunnel filled with water- just know an instructor is there on the other side to help.
Once you have passed through the Sheep Dip, it’s only two left: Gate Vault and The Wall! Make your way through various gate jumps and climbs and end your experience with The Wall. As you climb to the top of
The Wall, keep your hands on the rope and feet on the nets. From there the finish is in sight! for 12K recruits, don’t head down to the finish on your first lap. One of our marshals will be at the turning point to indicate your next lap (just make sure you have your 12K wristband ready to give them Once you have finished, our team will be ready to celebrate your victory of the Commando course and award you with your precious medal.
From here we recommend you tuck into a warm cup of hot Ribena, a drink of choice for those in the forces, and have a hot bucket shower!
EVENT VILLAGE
Commando is more than just a obstacle course. Our events village is a place for spectators to relax and enjoy their surroundings while they wait for the recruits to complete the course but also a place recruits are welcomed back to once they have crossed the finish line,
Our legendary warm shower as well as heated changing tents are fantastic for warming up after the course and the food outlets offer much needed sustinance.
The events village also hosts drinks and retailer outlets as well as a mess tent to sit in to relax.
Our Mini Commando means that even the youngest tots can join in the adventure too with their very own obstacle course.
Our warm up arena is in the event village and give spectators a taste of what the recruits are in for.
SURVIVAL EXPERIENCE
3 HOUR SURVIVAL EXPERIENCE
Our highly qualified instructor, Roly, will teach you the basics and guiding principles of survival. This intensive 3hour Commando course will teach you many of the essentials of survival including fire making, water gathering, hunting, navigation and food required to survive. You will require warm clothing, and above all the ability to think ‘out of the box’. You are going to be taught how threads of your clothing can be the key to sustaining a fire, how the surrounding environment can provide enough calories to survive and how to ensure the water you drink is clean.
What we require from you is an open mind in order that you can embrace
the array of techniques, food and skills you will be taught. Being a Commando is a way of life and if embraced, it will aid you every day in the tasks you undertake
1 HOUR SURVIVAL EXPERIENCE
This experience aims to teach the rudiments of survival including topics such as fire making, shelter, water and food gathering.
We organise several 1-hour long experiences at the event, so you can plan your day accordingly. Simply pay online and on arrival, you can book at a time that suits you via the Information tent. Alternatively, you can ask at the information point to see if there are any slots available on the day.
ARRIVING AT EVENT...
We will be in touch in the run up to your race to make sure you have all the information you need to prepare for and enjoy the course.
PARKING & ENTRY POINT
Once you are close to the venue, please follow the yellow car park signs. These signs will take you to Hever Castle Lakeview Car Park. Once you have parked up, please make your way to the entry point. This is where you will be asked for your QR code, which will have been sent you by email.
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WRISTBAND SYSTEM
At Commando we have a colour wristband system. This determines how much of a beasting you want from our PTI‘s a
Yellow = Family Wristband: This band is for families, younger recruits or those who want the most relaxed experience
Blue = Just Get Me Round: Like the family band, the instructors won’t go Commando heavy on you, but maybe expect a few group star jumps!
Green = Treat Me Like a Commando: For those who want to be absolutely beasted. Expect press ups, push ups and crawls! If you want the full PTI experience, we recommend choosing green during the online registration. We’ve even had a few recruits use this as an actual practice for their Marine training!!
CAMPING
We offer onsite camping, right next to the event village! This is available Friday to Sunday night.
TRAINING FOR COMMANDO
Commando can be understaken by anyone with any level of fitness, however, you will find the course easier and be able to compete it quicker if you commit to some training before the event. While everyone’s training will vary, you should make sure you include these elements:
Improving core strength and mobility
Building strength and stability across the hips, midsection, and shoulders
Developing explosive movements, such as jumping and leaping
Increasing endurance
Creating seamless transitions between obstacles.
In obstacle course races, more so than in most other sports, variety is the key to improving your performance.
One good training idea is that every 500 meters you can complete different exercises such as burpees, pull-ups or bear crawls, then continue the run and repeat.
While this varied training is key for physical strength, it will also fatigue the whole body and get you mentally ready to run the obstacle course while tired.
Try and do this at least once a week for 30 minutes in the build up to Commando and you will find that the event will be far more fun and enjoyable.
HISTORY OF THE MARINES KEY MOMENTS
Boer War Commandos
1899 - 1902
Between 1899 and 1902, the British Army fought a bitter colonial war against the Boers in South Africa. Although outnumbered, the Boers were a skilled and determined enemy. After initial setbacks and a long period of guerrilla warfare, the British eventually prevailed, but not without adopting controversial tactics.
WWII Commandos
1940
IIn 1940, the British established a new raiding and reconnaissance force. Well-trained and highly mobile, they were to carry on the war against the Axis after the evacuation from Dunkirk The first commando operations were small, but later they grew in complexity and size. As the Second World War went on, commandos fought as assault troops in many key battles.
Royal Marine Commandos
TODAY
Some of the toughest fighters on the planet. Going where others won’t, doing things others can’t
Royal Marines Commandos go through some of the most rigorous training on the planet, so they’re ready to deal with a wide spectrum of threats and security challenges.
Embarking on some of the British military’s toughest operations takes a unique set of personal qualities and skills
SPECTATORS VIEW
Many of you will be bringing spectators to watch your herculean efforts. This is our recommendation for your supporters...
VIEW POINTS
While your athlete is registering, grab some breakfast and a coffee and soak up the buzzing atmosphere of the Event Village
WHAT THREE WORDS
Download the What Three Words app, which will help you navigate the course to the best points to view your competitor in action.
WARM UP ARENA
What Three Words: stay.hired.body
The first spectator viewpoint would be the warmup arena! This is in the heart of the event village, so perfect for the little ones to watch on. Watch first hand as the waves of recruits are made to sprint, carry each other and stretch important muscles before they are sent out on the course.
D-DAY LANDINGS
What Three Words: script harp hips
When the recruits make their way from the warmup arena, we recommend spectators head to the Hever Loggia to watch the D-Day landings. From here, you can take the Hever Lake path anticlockwise to where the D-Day float docks across the lake, this is a great spot for action shots!
RAIDERS OF THE LOST COMMANDO
What Three Words: large.belong.rope
Continue to follow the Hever Lake path anticlockwise until you meet the Raiders boats. Here you can watch some excellent teamwork take place!
SHEEP DIP
What Three Words: haven.films.panel
You won’t want to miss watching the Sheep Dip, many competitors find it the most daunting obstacle!
MINI COMMANDO
What Three Words: living.stack.glory
The mini commando course is located in the Event Village and is available for children age 3-6 years old to try their commando skills Scramble nets, balance beams, tunnels and tyres will test the agility of our mini recruits. You can purchase tickets in advance or on the day at the information tent.
EVENT VILLAGE
What Three Words: gazed.tulip.rails
Live music, retail, food and bars as well as our mini commando course and survival experience await you in the Event Village. Don‘t get so distracted you forget to cheer your loved one over the last obstacle and over the finish line!
GROUP PACKAGES
Looking for a fun teambuilding activity? Look no further than Commando. We have hosted many corporate days out with a plethora of organisations returning to us year after year.
‘The ultimate team building challenge’, Commando, will challenge recruits to work effectively together, build trust and encourage teamwork all while having a fantastic time together!
Please contact us to find out more about our corporate packages, designed for teams of all sizes.
EMAIL US: support@castleraceseries.com
FIND US
Address: Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
Satellite navigation users: Post Code TN8 7NG what3words – ///radio.dating.jars
For the latest Kent Traffic Information and Roadworks see here and here Hever Castle is located 30 miles from central London, 3 miles southeast of Edenbridge off the B2026 between Sevenoaks and East Grinstead in the village of Hever.
It can be reached via junction 10 of the M23, and is signposted from junctions 5 and 6 of the M25 and the Hildenborough exit of the A21.
Coach drivers and group organisers are advised to check the route before travel as there are a number of low bridges in the surrounding area. If you are travelling in a double-decker coach please contact us for alternative directions.
Parking is free and accessible parking is available Please note that Hever Castle cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to vehicles or their contents whilst you are parked on site.
Please note that there is more than one car park. On arrival at the castle, please follow the yellow car park signs These signs will take you to Hever Castle Lakeview Car Park, which is located next to the events village. If you have accessible needs please notify staff upon entering the car park
We look forward to seeing you on race day and wish you luck for your final preparations.
If you need further information please visit our website: castleraceseries.com or email us on: support@castleraceseries.com