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 planned for this event to hopefully take place on Sunday 27th September 2020. We will, of course, be following guidance from the Government.
If you have already booked your place then you will have an email from us explaining the event.
SIGN UP TODAY you can still book for this event, which we are planning to hold on Sunday 27th September 2020
The North Devon AONB Marathon and Half Marathon has quickly established itself as one of the most challenging and visually stunning events in the UK. Race HQ is in the surfing idyllic village of Woolacombe on Devon's north coast, overlooking one of the country's most popular beaches and right in the middle of the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (where the race gets its 'AONB' name from).
NORTH DEVON MARATHON 2020 GOES CUPLESS!
Please note we cannot process refunds. No transfers to 2021 and no substitutions.
If we have to cancel the event then your place will rollover to 2021
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 The Green at Woolacombe Esplanade, EX34 7DF.
All runners must report to the registration marquee at the Event Village by 9.30 to sign in and collect their chip, number and confirm they have arrived. Registration opens from 8.00am. You can also collect your pre-purchased event t-shirt. Remember, if you don't buy it when you register, we can't get a t-shirt for you. 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 have a van dedicated to storing your bags and belongings whilst you are running. The van is based at the race village and easily accessible. Please ensure these are clearly marked.
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?
Water stations are located approximately every two miles and offer water, bananas and jelly babies. Some also have water and sponges for a cool down. 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.
Please note we cannot process refunds. No transfers to 2021 and no substitutions. In the unlikely circumstance of a freak weather event, which put participants in danger, North Devon Hospice would have to cancel the event and would not be able to offer refunds. If you have any queries please contact Jess on 01271 347213.
All runners will be asked to sign the following event declaration statement before the run begins: I understand that this race is held in accordance with both the rules and safety requirements of the FRA (Fell Runners Association). I confirm that I am aware of the organiser's information and requirements in connection with this race. I accept the hazards involved in fell running and acknowledge that I am entering and running this race at my own risk. Other than the organiser's liability for causing death or personal injury by negligence, I confirm that I understand that the organiser accepts no liability to me for any loss or damage of any nature to myself or my property arising out of my participation in this race.
After the run, all runners are given their medal and are then welcome to go into the massage tent. A number of therapists from North Devon Hospice will be on hand to offer massages. There is a minimum donation of £5.00. All therapists have generously donated their time free of charge on the day to help ease the aches and pains and to help with fundraising for the hospice. We are also situated above a Blue Flag beach - so feel free to take a dip!
There aren't many marathons that great you with a complimentary Devonshire Cream Tea at the end. Well ours does! Please make your way to the Cream Tea tent for a little pick me up post run. The tea/coffee is kindly donated by Miles Tea company.
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
