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Beginner's guide · Enduro

How to get into
enduro

Hare and hounds events are the usual way into enduro: short-course races where you complete as many laps as possible in a set time, often with a novice or sportsman course and an ACU one-day licence available with the entry. Time card enduros that use public roads have a minimum age of 16 under the ACU and need a road-legal, insured bike on road-tyres.

Find an enduro eventEnduro calendar and results

Minimum age

11 years

Licence

ACU licence or one-event licence

First step

Pick the right format

Governed by

ACU

Guides · Enduro · Checked 10 September 2026

Step by step

  1. 1

    Pick the right format

    Hare and hounds (cross-country) events are short courses where the aim is to complete as many laps as possible in a set time. Time card enduros are longer routes with time controls and special tests, and can include public roads.acu.org.uk

  2. 2

    Find an event pitched at novices

    Look for events that state a novice or sportsman course. For example, Manchester 17MCC's Tong Hare and Hounds on 20 September 2026 is designed for novice, sportsman and clubman riders, and discourages experts.sientries.co.uk

  3. 3

    Sort your licence

    Hold an annual ACU licence or buy a One Event Licence. One Event Licences are only issued to riders normally resident in England, Wales or Scotland.acu.org.uk

  4. 4

    Prepare the bike

    Check the event's regulations for noise and tyre rules. If a time card enduro uses public highways, the bike must be roadworthy with working lights, horn and speedometer, road-legal DOT or E-marked enduro tyres and motor insurance meeting the Road Traffic Act.acu.org.uk

  5. 5

    Kit up

    You need a helmet with a valid ACU gold or silver stamp, strong clothing covering legs, arms and body, knee-length boots and gloves.acu.org.uk

  6. 6

    Enter the entry-level class

    Enduro events usually run Sportsman, Clubman, Expert and Championship classes, often with Veterans (40+) and Ladies categories. Newcomers normally start in Sportsman.acu.org.uk

The licence

ACU licence or one-event licence

ACU Competition Licence or ACU One Event Licence

Take out an annual ACU licence online, or buy a One Event Licence for a single enduro (available for enduro events up to National status). Many organisers add the day licence to your online entry; you still complete the licence form when you sign on.

£98 annual competition licence for 2026 (ACU). The ACU does not publish the One Event Licence fee on its page; the Tong Hare and Hounds (20 September 2026) charges £20 for an ACU day licence.

Official licence page · acu.org.uk

Kit you need

  • Helmet — Bearing a valid ACU gold or silver stamp and correctly fitted. Helmet-mounted cameras are prohibited unless built into the helmet.acu.org.uk
  • Clothing — Suitable strong clothing covering legs, arms and body.acu.org.uk
  • Boots and gloves — Knee-length boots and gloves in leather or other approved material.acu.org.uk
  • Goggles — Tear-off lenses on goggles are prohibited under the ACU enduro regulations.acu.org.uk

What it costs

ItemFigureSource
ACU competition licence (2026)£98acu.org.uk
Tong Hare and Hounds entry, Manchester 17MCC (20 September 2026)£45sientries.co.uk
ACU day licence at Tong Hare and Hounds (2026)£20sientries.co.uk
Fast Eddy Racing practice-only entry, Hawkstone Park (2026)£50fasteddyracing.com

Published figures from the sources shown, checked on the date above. Prices change; confirm with the organiser before you book.

Your first event

Club hare and hounds events (e.g. Manchester 17MCC, Tong) ↗Multi-lap woodland hare and hounds aimed at novice to clubman riders, entered through SI Entries with a day licence option.Fast Eddy Racing ↗Runs over 30 events a year, including club events, training schools and practice days, mainly at Hawkstone Park and in Shropshire.WOR Events ↗Enduro and hare and hounds organiser with adult, junior and 'Tiny Warrior' categories; issues NORA day licences.

Coming up: go and watch one first

12SatEnduro GB Round 6 – The Hundred House BEC (final round)Hundred House, Builth Wells · Sat 12 – Sun 13 Sept20SunACU British Extreme Enduro Championship Round 7 – Cowm Quarry (final)Cowm Quarry, Whitworth · Sun 20 Sept26SatACU British Sprint Enduro Championship Round 11 – Hawkstone Park (final)Hawkstone Park, Shrewsbury · Sat 26 Sept26SatSACU Scottish Enduro Championship – Bon Accord MCC, DrumtochtyDrumtochty · Sat 26 – Sun 27 Sept26SatFast Eddy Hawkstone Park 2026 (cross-country weekend)Hawkstone Park, Shrewsbury · Sat 26 – Sun 27 Sept27SunPLOP Enduro – AngleseyAnglesey · Sun 27 Sept

Enduro: questions people ask

What is a hare and hounds?

A short-course off-road race where the aim is to complete as many laps as possible in a set time. It is the most common first enduro-type event in the UK.

Does my bike need to be road legal for enduro?

Only if the event uses public roads, as some time card enduros do. Then the bike must be roadworthy with working lights, horn and speedometer, road-legal tyres and valid motor insurance; off-road-only events follow the organiser's own regulations.

Can I ride an enduro on a day licence?

Yes. The ACU issues One Event Licences for enduro events up to National status to riders living in England, Wales or Scotland, and many organisers add one to your entry.

How old do you have to be to ride enduro?

The ACU sets 16 as the minimum for time card enduros, but younger riders can take part in other enduro formats. The AMCA accepts enduro riders from 11.

Which class should a beginner enter?

Sportsman is the usual entry class, below Clubman, Expert and Championship. Check the event regulations, as some courses are designed only for novice to clubman riders.

Sources, checked 2026-09-10: acu.org.uk · amca.uk.com · acu.org.uk · sientries.co.uk · acu.org.uk · acu.org.uk · acu.org.uk · fasteddyracing.com. Rules and fees change; the governing body’s own page is always the final word.