Off-road marathons - Events

Canarie

16/03/2013 at 18:28

I really want to run a marathon at some point in the next year or two, but I really dislike road-running. Can anyone suggest some trail / off-road marathons? Am open to options - either UK or abroad.
I'm doing the Forest of Dean half next week, which I'm really looking forward to, so this will give me a better idea of time and I'll also see how it compares to a road half (I did one a few years ago in 1hr 52mins).
Thanks in advance!

M...eldy

pirate

16/03/2013 at 18:29

Beachy Head

Awesome

brer rabbit

17/03/2013 at 17:43

Bolton Hill, did it last week-fantastic. Or, equally fab Hardmoors 26.2 trail series. Did Osmotherely on about a month ago-tough as hell but awesome.

Terence Earney

17/03/2013 at 20:32

South Downs Marathon 8th June and Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon 22nd December.

mrs. hog - mousey

17/03/2013 at 21:27

The coastal series.

Beachy,

Giants Head or whatever it becomes.

South Downs.

Steyning Stinger.

Three Forts.

Eden - multi terrain, ie some road.

Neolithic.

Canarie

18/03/2013 at 12:29

brilliant, thanks everyone! Will look them up and make a decision...

carterusm

18/03/2013 at 12:31

Lake Coniston - 07/07

Strangely

18/03/2013 at 13:48

http://www.trionium.com/greensand/

Podi

18/03/2013 at 15:10

The Imerys Clay County Marathon & Half Marathon are on the 19th May, St. Austell, Cornwall. They were new races introduced last year I think. I've signed up for the Half. I didn't take part last year, but they are quite tough I believe and take you through the china clay works, so it'll be like running through a lunar landscape with some spectacular views. Both courses are a single loop - check out St. Austell Running Club website.

Podi

18/03/2013 at 15:11

Oh..and the Endurance Life Coastal Marathons may be worth checking out.

Sebastian80

18/03/2013 at 15:39

Clarendon

http://www.clarendon-marathon.co.uk/

John Cunnane

18/03/2013 at 15:57

http://www.southwalesldwa.org/rrc/rrc.html

http://www.southwalesldwa.org/ravens/wrd.html

Red Williams

18/03/2013 at 17:03

Try the Tronium marathons in Surrey - the Picnic or Greensand - ball-breaking hard....

Beachy Head's also top-notch as is White Peak in Derbyshire....

Some of the iconic and absolutely brilliant Snowdonia Marathon's also off road mate..

AussieCate

19/03/2013 at 09:57

Im doing the Jurassic Coast Challenge this weekend so I shall let you know what it's like.. Its 3 marathons (actually a little over), 3 days but you can choose to just do one day..

Alfa_Scud

20/03/2013 at 16:00

If you fance a trip up to Yorkshire in September then the Yorkshireman marathon is a top event, really well organised with great stew at the end an a decent t-shirt, what more could you want, other than a good pub?

Oh yes, there's those too

Canarie

20/03/2013 at 16:47

thanks everyone!

Alfa_Scud - the Yorkshire one sounds good, a stew at the end should help my motivation!

Red Williams - I've heard the Snowdonia one has great scenery, I've climbed Snowdon before and the views were shrouded in mist so it'll be nice to visit again!

MattDA

21/03/2013 at 05:59

Hi Canary, I'm doing my very first marathon in September: the Purbeck Marathon. I'm not sure how wise a choice for a first marathon it is but it looks like a beautiful course. I'm just like you in that I try to run predominantly off road. My knees don't take kindly to too much pounding of tarmac.

I am of course, also doing Forest of Dean, as you will have seen from your thread on that!

MattDA

21/03/2013 at 06:10

I've long fancied a crack at the Endurance Life Coastal Trail Series as well. If Purbeck goes well, I might have a go at the Devon one in February 2014.

sw_pinki

26/03/2013 at 15:46

Fancy visiting Switzerland? We have a lot of Alpine and trail races...with amazing views!!!

Here a couple of links for you to check out:

Zermatt (I have run the 2nd half last year and am doing it again this year, fantastic!)

http://www.zermattmarathon.ch/index.php?id=3&L=1

Davos Swissalpine (did K30 last year and doing C42 this year):

http://www.swissalpine.ch/cms/index.php?aid=1008

Eiger Trail:

http://www.eigerultratrail.ch/en/

Mountain Man:

http://www.themountainman.ch/en.html

...and you can find other Swiss races at Datasport.ch. Let me know if you want more infos

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