Dirt Half Marathon & Metric Half 2026

The Dirt Half Challenge is a trail race series held in Leighton Buzzard, offering half marathon and metric half distances along paths, towpaths, woodland tracks, and country lanes. It takes place in autumn, with Race HQ located at Cedars Upper School on Mentmore Road and the finish line at Tiddenfoot Waterside Park. The course begins with a circuit of Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, then proceeds north along the Grand Union Canal towpath towards Stoke Hammond. From there, it ascends through open countryside to Great Brickhill, passes through Rushmere Country Park woodland, and follows the Greensand Ridge back towards Leighton Buzzard, concluding with another park circuit. The location is convenient for participants arriving from nearby or by train: parking is provided at the school, Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, and along Mentmore Road, with Leighton Buzzard station approximately a 10-minute walk from Race HQ.