While most of Tri Anglia were slipping and sliding around Earlham Park at the Cross Country Championships a few of us were sampling the delights of “The Drop – Norwich” a different kind of race.
In this race you are blindfolded, driven 10 or 15 miles from the centre of Norwich and – without the use of maps, GPS devices, watches or phones – must navigate back. This must be on your own two legs and within a 4.5 hour cut off. You can enter as a team or as a solo runner.
There is GPS tracking for friends and family to follow your route as you make your way back (or don’t, as the case may be!). Registration was at Harriet’s Cafe Tearooms where you are supplied with your tracker, race number and sealable bag for phone/watch. A coach then takes you blindfolded to your destination.
For the 10 mile runners we were dropped outside a remote south Norfolk village church. Anyone heard of Thwaite St Mary? Anyone? The 15 mile runners were dropped somewhere similarly remote on the outskirts of Beccles. We then had to work out a route back to HQ at Harriet’s. Simples!
We relied on our teams local knowledge of the area and asking any poor dog walker/runner/innocent bystander for directions. In our team we largely avoided the main roads and took a lovely route back via Brooke, Shotesham and Stoke Holy Cross. We had a few route planning “discussions” at intersections but managed to still remain friends!
Our route ended up being just under 15 miles – far further than the 10 miles direct radius. Other runners managed shorter routes… others much further. Definitely something to consider if you sign up for this in the future – it’s not a simple 10 mile (or 15 mile) distance. We’d heard of a team at the Leeds event the day before who went 12 miles in the wrong direction before correcting themselves thereby ending up doing full marathon distance!
We got back to HQ in around 3.5 hours taking it at a very leisurely pace with a fair bit of walking and many photo stops. The winners of the 10 mile race came in at just over 2 hours and for the 15 mile race 3 hours 15.
A great finish at Harriet’s as you ring the ceremonial bell to proclaim your arrival and it’s a perfect spot to refuel with a cup of tea and scone before you return home.
We had a great day out despite grotty weather and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It’s also been fascinating post-race to analyse all the various routes other runners took.
The Drop has events in cities all over the UK and also does a strategy race called Renegade which sounds frankly bonkers (and likely to appeal to a few people in Tri Anglia!). The next The Drop – Norwich is scheduled for 10/01/2026. https://www.thedropuk.co.uk/e/the-drop-norwich-11466
Fay Wheeler & Sarah Haigh
6 comments on “Stranded in Norfolk”
Very interesting Fay thanks for doing a report.
Thanks Grayhame!
I love the sound of this!! Can I join you next year if you do it Fay?
If I sign up I’ll let you know Paula 😀
Thanks for this great report, Fay!
Thanks Bernd!