Knacker Cracker: event summary
Knacker Cracker is a trail race held around Box Hill with registration and parking at Denbies Vineyard, London Road, Dorking RH5 6AA. The standard route is exactly 10.000 km and includes an ascent of 473 m and a descent of 335 m. The course runs mostly on rough tracks and offers views over the North Downs, the Mole Gap, Denbies Vineyard and Dorking.
Since 2025 the course uses the old military road instead of the Burford Spur slope and no longer runs up to Juniper Top for ecological reasons; the route now climbs from the bottom of Happy Valley. If Box Hill is not available, a planned B Course around Denbies Vineyard is used instead.
There are separate events within the day: a kids fun run called the Nipper Knacker and a ladies race called the Knicker Knacker. Earphones and headphones are not allowed on the course. Parking and registration are at Denbies Wine Estate and the race start is at the bottom of Box Hill, with the finish at the top of Box Hill; participants parked at Denbies will need to return there after the event.
The event has received runner votes as Britain’s best trail race in 2012 and 2013 and as Britain’s best 10 km in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Race marshals are requested and are offered refreshments and a free place in a future race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Event Details
'Britain's toughest 10k'!
The 'substantially harder' route for the Knacker Cracker race, from 1 January 2025. Not running down the Burford Spur slope, but instead using the old military road. Also, this now does not run up to Juniper Top (too ecologically sensitive) - but instead goes up the bottom of Happy Valley (which should perhaps be renamed 'Unhappy Valley.' It just gets steeper and steeper!
Kids' fun run, the Nipper Knacker; Ladies most welcome for the ladies' race - the Knicker Knacker, while men will feel a punishment in their gonads, during the Knacker Cracker!
The route is exactly 10.000km and includes ascent of 473m and descent of 335m.
Sorry, earphones/headphones not allowed on the course - don't run in a bubble!
If Box Hill is not available for any reason, we will be using the Knacker Cracker 'B' Course, around Denbies Vineyard. Still a tough course!
The Knacker Cracker was voted Britain's best trail race in 2012 and 2013 and was voted Britain's best 10k in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by runners voting at Runner's World
Entries after 8pm on 1 December will not have their names on the race t-shirts, due to production deadlines - sorry!
Parking and registration area at Denbies Wine Estate, and race start at the BOTTOM of Box Hill. NO PARKING AT THE TOP OF BOX HILL! After the race, you will need to walk back to your car at Denbies.
Knacker Cracker Panorama at Box Hill Lookout (Solomon's Memorial), by Brian Barton, on a sunny day!
(normally...) A run for hearty man fellows and lady fellows, mostly on rough tracks, and including superb views over the North Downs, the Mole Gap, Denbies Vineyard, and Dorking.
Wishful thinking weather forecast: warm and sunny. (actual weather forecast)
New-new Course records (2022 onwards): Male: Steve Winder (50, Epsom & Ewell Harriers) 49:15 (2022); Female: Katie Lysons (29, Clapham Chasers) 56:00 (2022)
New (2015-onwards) Course records: Male: Rhys Gillard (24, Southend AC/Leigh-on-Sea Striders) 50:15 (2019); Female: Carla Molinaro (34, Clapham Chasers) 55:50 (2019)
(Old-New) Course records: Male: Sylvain Garde 45:51 (2011); Female: Carla Molinaro 52:44 (2011)
(Old-old) Course records: Male: Darren Treadaway 43:43 (2009); Female: Sarah Rollins 48:26 (2009)
Marshals
Marshals are needed for car parking help, start help, course signalling, finish help and goodie bag delivery. All marshals get soup and rolls, and a hearty pat on the back - and a free place in a future race of your choice! Marshals will be needed from 09.45am onwards on 1 January.
Please contact us for further information.
Spectators
Best places to see the runners are as follows:
- 11.00-11.30am - (Start) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble
- 11.30-12.00 - National Trust Lookout, top of Box Hill (up the Zig Zag Road)
- 12.00-12:15 - Stepping stones, River Mole
- 12.15-12:45 (Finish) Foot of the Burfoot Slope, above Ryka's Cafe, Westhumble
All times are approximate!