At a glance
The toughest and most beautiful race in the UK
When
26th June 2022Who
Runners looking for their next challenge
2022 will be the 13th North Devon AONB Marathon and Half Marathon. Each year the event sells out in advance, with runners coming back each year for this special event.
The stunning multi-terrain route lives up to its reputation of being as beautiful as it is tough. Race HQ is in the idyllic surfing village of Woolacombe on Devon's north coast, right in the middle of the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (where the race gets its 'AONB' name from).
It's an incredibly friendly race, with volunteers on the course and in the race village cheering you on throughout the challenge.
The event is Plastic Free - we don't have any cups on the route and ask you to bring your own or buy your reusable cup when you sign up.
Simon Oliver founded the event to raise money for North Devon Hospice. An inspirational Race Director and fundraiser, Simon has grown the event from year one and now raises over £30,000 for North Devon Hospice each year. This is vital income to ensure that nurses are there to help families who are facing an incurable illness. Please do sign up today to ensure that no person has to face their symptoms and fears alone.
Make 2022 your year and take on the challenge.
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In our efforts to reduce waste we will not have disposable cups at water stations. This simply means that if you are not carrying a water bottle etc, you will need to bring some form of cup. Thanks to Lyon Outdoors we have subsidised Hydrapak Speedcups available to buy at registration. These are small enough to fold up and put in your pocket. You can buy this when you register for just £1.00. Thank you so much for your support in making this event as waste-free as possible. |
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In 2020 & 21 we successfully ran a socially distanced event following UK Athletics guidance. We will follow the same guidance in 2022.
If the event needs to be cancelled due to Covid-19 (implementation of local or national lockdown rules, for example) places will be deferred to the following year so no one loses their registration fee and we will run a virtual event - so you can still run your marathon and get the North Devon Marathon medal.
We run the event under Fell Running Association rules. For more details, please check the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.
This is a serious challenge so please do take the opportunity to raise vital funds for North Devon Hospice care. It's easy to set up a Justgiving page and gain sponsorship.
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 personal reason for running the North Devon Marathon or Half Marathon, and you aim to raise over £500 for North Devon Hospice, then you could apply for one of our Gold Bond Places - this entitles you to a free place, a personalised race t-shirt in the race and support from our team with your fundraising efforts. To find out more about applying for a Gold Bond Place, please get in touch by emailing katekilburn@northdevonhospice.org.uk. (Please email and wait to hear from us - do not sign up online)
Buy the bespoke 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.
Please note: if you are training on the route then please don't run on private farmland or approach landowners regarding running over their land. Please use alternative footpaths and lanes instead. Thank you
Second Half Map (making it the full marathon)
AONB North Devon Marathon & Half Marathon was a great day. Thank you all who supported
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Photo Fit Sports Event Photography photographed the 2020 event and images are available to buy from their website. Images are searchable by race number. View the 2021 photos here |
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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 2022 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 are 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 it as the 6th toughest out of 10 in the UK!
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
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. 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 2023.
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
