At a glance
The toughest and most beautiful race in the UK
When
Start: Sunday, September 27, 2020
End: Sunday, September 27, 2020
Who
Runners looking for their next challenge
Fee
£37 registration £12 technical t-shirt £1 cup for waterstations
We have a revised date, with the event taking place on Sunday 27th September 2020. We will, of course, be following guidance from the Government and regulations from UK Athletics for the safety of all involved.
BOOKING IS NOW CLOSED
Registered runners will received race packs in the post over the next 3 weeks. Runners will also receive email updates throughout the next 3 weeks. For more information on the race and maps of the route, please scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the FAQS.
COVID - 19 FAQ's
For regular race FAQS, please see the bottom of the page
- How are you making it safe?
We are following UK Athletics guidelines to hold the event as safely as possible at this time. Below is an overview safety measures. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and may be added to before the event. Competitors and volunteers must ensure that they are receiving details by email and post (if not, please contact 01271 344232) and take the time to read additional guidance to keep everyone safe:
- Competitors, staff and volunteers to maintain social distancing with each other and the public throughout the event
- We are limiting the number of competitors to 400 (half of previous years) to enable social distancing in race village and on the course
- Strictly no entries on the day
- Contactless registration - timing chip and race number will be posted to competitors in advance to remove the need for registration
- Staggered start time for competitors
- Competitors mandatory kit includes facemask, hand sanitiser and their own water cup or bottle
- Hand sanitising points around race village and the course
- PPE and hand sanitiser for staff and volunteers
- No baggage drop facility available
- Temperature checks of key volunteers and medics
- I'm a competitor, if I have to self-isolate will I lose my registration fee?
This information will be included in your briefing. It is vitally important that you don’t come to the event if you are isolating for any reason, are unwell or have been unwell in the last 14 days. If you are unsure about whether you should be isolating then consult the latest guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-Covid-19/
If you are isolating or showing any symptoms then just let us know by email jessburfordredgrove@northdevonhospice.org.uk. We will defer your place to a future year so that you don’t lose your registration fee.
- I'm a race volunteer, if I have to isolate will I be letting people down?
This information will be included in your briefing. It is vitally important that you don’t come to the event if you are isolating for any reason, are unwell or have been unwell in the last 14 days. If you are unsure about whether you should be isolating then consult the latest guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-Covid-19/
If you are isolating or showing any symptoms then just let us know by email (jessburfordredgrove@northdevonhospice.org.uk) or by phone (07917 797689) or by contacting Race Director Simon Oliver (07974 743952) and we will find cover for your role. Please don’t feel that you are letting anyone down, we always have a few extra marshals in case of emergencies such as these, and staying home is the most important way to support everyone.
- When do entries close?
Entries will close on Tuesday 1st September, so that we have time to send race packs out in the post well ahead of the event.
- How come the North Devon Marathon can go ahead, when other events like the London Marathon are being cancelled?
Every event is different and not every event will be able to put such safety measures in place.
For example, the London Marathon hosts 40,000 competitors. Not only does this make social distancing almost impossible, but many will use public transport to get around London, which puts additional strain on the system. In comparison, the North Devon Marathon hosts under 1000 competitors each year (limited to 400 competitors this year for safety reasons), which means that safety measures for sanitizing and social-distancing are easier to implement, and the smaller numbers mean that no additional strain will be put on local services.
If for any reason the event needs to be cancelled (implementation of local lockdown rules, for example) places will be deferred to a following year so no-one loses their registration fee.
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NORTH DEVON MARATHON 2020 GOES CUPLESS!
*NEW FOR THIS YEAR* PHOTOGRAPHY
Photo Fit Sports Event Photography will be photographing the event and images will be available to buy after the event from their website. Images would be searchable by race number.
MAKING IT HAPPEN
Event Organisers
This event is organised by Simon Oliver, a local runner with many years of experience both participating in and organising races. All the money that you raise support local people affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. By taking on the North Devon challenge and raising money for North Devon Hospice you are making sure that people are comfortable and supported, even at the toughest times.
Throughout the event village and along the route, every person helping out is a friend or supporter of North Devon Hospice and someone who has volunteered to help make the event possible. Please respect the efforts we put into making this event possible every year by only raising money for North Devon Hospice.
About the race
In every year since it's inception the event has sold out, often many months in advance. So if you want to be part of what will be an extra special day then don't delay and sign up now. The reputation of this event has grown and grown, with runners coming from across the UK and abroad to tackle the legendary course, which offers as many stunning views as it does challenging hills. The multi-terrain course involves roads, trails, beaches, fields, steps and the incredible South West Coast Path. Also known also as 'The Cream Tea Marathon', runners are treated to a traditional Devon Cream Tea at the finish line!
This year we are respecting our stunning natural environment, by being one of the first events in the UK to go cupless. Please remember to buy your running cup when you register or bring you own water container on the day.
Join us and find out why this is one of the must-do events in the running world.
Please note that we cannot administer refunds, transfers to 2021 or substitutions. For full rules & regulations and more information about the race, please see the FAQ section below.
Raising your sponsorship
This event is brought to you by North Devon Hospice and Simon Oliver, to raise money solely for North Devon Hospice. You can raise money by setting up an online giving page, and you can download a sponsor form by clicking here. Please respect the efforts we put into making this event possible every year by only raising money for North Devon Hospice.
If you have a really personal reason for running the North Devon Marathon or Half Marathon and aim to raise over £1,000 for North Devon Hospice then you could apply for one of our Gold Bond Places - this entitles you to a free place in the race. To find out more about applying for a Gold Bond Place, please get in touch by emailing jessburfordredgrove@northdevonhospice.org.uk. (Please email before you sign up online, because we cannot issue refunds if you are successful in your application).
In addition to the sponsorship forms available to runners we are happy to help you and support your fundraising ideas in any way we can. Please contact the fundraising team at North Devon Hospice for any help.
Events, news and updates
Keep up with event updates, training runs and news via the North Devon Hospice Facebook and Twitter pages. Post-event photos and news reports will be added to this webpage for you to access (www.northdevonmarathon.co.uk).
Event T-shirts
Buy the technical T-shirt when you register! Remember, we don't sell these on the day, only the odd one or two that we might have spare.
Half Marathon map
Can we help?
Jess Burford-Redgrove
Community & Events Fundraiser
FAQs
The Event Village is held on Woolacombe Meadow Pavilion and Playing Fields, South Street, EX34 7BB
Registered runners will be given a start time in advance of the event. This time will be between 10am - 10.40am and we ask that runners arrive ready to run so that we don't have too many people queuing or in race village at once.
Runners will be posted race packs (including race number and chip) and t-shirts before the day. Remember to bring your number on the day.
Unfortunately, we can not accept entries on the day. No switches if another runner can't run. Absolutely no dogs on the course with runners.
We will not have a baggage van or any facility to store belongings at the 2020 North Devon Marathon. Please be ready to run with everything you bring.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your help following UK Athletics guidelines for races under Covid-19 restrictions.
What are the race operating times?
The race operates from 10.00-17.30. Full Marathon participants that have not passed the midway point (race village at 13.1miles by 13.15pm will be asked to stop as they will be unlikely to complete the race in the time allowed and it is therefore for their own safety. Marshals will be stood down from 17.30 and withdrawn from the route.
Water stations and prepared drinks?
In line with UK Athletics guidelines for operating events under Covid-19 restrictions we advise that you bring your own water and nutrition. Please be as self-sufficient as possible. Thank you.
Water stations are located approximately every two miles, you must bring your own cup or bottle. No cup, no drink. Prepared drinks (must be labelled clearly before you arrive) can be left in the designated buckets for miles 13 and 18.
The North Devon Marathon is a demanding yet beautiful course. With Woolacombe Bay as the centre point, runners follow a figure-of-eight around stunning coastal scenery, inland trails and will take in the scenery of some of North Devon's most beautiful beaches and coastal villages. The first 'loop' of the figure of eight course runs in a southerly direction and makes up the half marathon route. Those continuing on to the full marathon will then complete the northerly 'loop' of the figure of eight course. The steep inclines and variety of terrain is enough to test any experienced runner. There is 1,300ft of ascent for the half marathon and 3,300ft for the full marathon. Many runners have described it as the toughest run they have ever done. In fact, Merrell UK described is at the 6th toughest out of 10 in the UK! In 2019, to celebrate the race's 10th anniversary, we are also adding a 10km route, to open up the event to even more runners with a wide range of abilities. The 10km route map will be coming soon, but covers the same tough and beautiful scenery as the full and half marathon routes. You can download route maps below. Please note that part of the course is on private land so please do not train on these areas or you will be trespassing. HALF MARATHON MAP. SECOND HALF MAP (making it the full marathon)
Senior Male, VM40, VM45, VM50, VM55, VM60 and VM70. Senior Female, VF40, VF45, VF50, VF55, VF60 and VF70
Every year, we have specially made techie T-shirts for the event. You can only buy these at the time of registration. They cost £12.
What are the rules and regulations?
The race is conducted under FRA rules. No entrants under 18 years of age (on the day of the race) will be admitted, and strictly no dogs are allowed on the course. Runners with dogs will be automatically disqualified. The North Devon Marathon is a charity fundraiser specifically for the sole beneficiary, North Devon Hospice. This is a fundraising event solely for North Devon Hospice. Strictly no number swapping or giving your place to another participant. In the event that we have to cancel the marathon we will transfer your place to the 2021.
Please note we cannot process refunds. If you have any queries please contact Jess on 01271 347213.
Please read the participant code of conduct before the event.
HALF MARATHON: Ronnie Richmond (Bideford AAC) 01:21:16 in 2015 and Justine Anthony (Bury St Edmunds) 01:36:38 in 2016. MARATHON: John Ward (Bideford AAC) 03:03:51 in 2012 and Mary Menon (unaffilliated) 03:38:27 in 2016
