Race Instructions

What you need to know for the race itself!

Running the course: All our races are predominately off-road courses that are both challenging and rewarding. As the courses are along public footpaths and across open countryside, you are likely to be sharing the paths with walkers, cyclists, other runners and livestock. Please treat everyone and everything with the utmost respect. All gates must be closed behind you, even if they were open when you got there.

The courses include grass, stony surfaces and dirt tracks that are in places uneven. There are barbed wire fencing, stiles and predominantly clay soil. This means that it can be extremely muddy and slippery in wet weather. Most of the courses’ are off-road with only the last 2 miles being on normal road (normal road running risks apply), there is a road and rail crossing in Corfe Castle. The courses crosses the A351 at the zebra crossing and runners will be marshalled, as they MUST cross at this point and be prepared to stop and wait when asked.

No-one can predict what the weather will be like on the day so please ensure that you adequately prepared for blazing heat, freezing cold and rain!

Swanage Railway Crossing: The Purbeck Ultra, The Purbeck Marathon & The Purbeck 16 cross the Swanage railway in Corfe Castle. Runners may be delayed for their own safety by marshals whilst trains approach and pass. Any runner who crosses without the marshal’s permission will be AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED from the race. Whilst this delay is not ideal the railway crossing comprises the least hazardous route crossing of the A351 and should be considered part of the unique nature of our courses.

Previously a runner ignored instructions to stop and this seriously jeopardised our route, we can’t afford to have any near misses so marshals will be posted here and anyone ignoring instructions will be stopped, their number checked and then disqualified. We can’t stress how important this is.

LOOK AT THE SIGNS, LISTEN TO THE MARSHALS, DO WHAT THEY SAY.

Water and Feed Stations: There will be numerous water stops as well as feed/water stops for all our races, however due to access challenges these will not be regularly spaced, so it is advisable to run with either a refillable bottle or a camelbak type carrier. The water station on Sandy hill lane going out of Corfe will be giving out bottles of water for you to carry along the downs. Please ensure you dispose of these bottles at the next water station and not on the downs. If you prefer your own drinks you will be required to carry them yourself or arrange to have supporters hand them to you on the course. We cannot arrange for specific drinks for particular athletes at our water stations. Please remember to dispose of all litter responsibly and not across the countryside. Our ability to run this marathon relies upon the responsible behaviour of our participants. 

First-aid: Kits are at each water and marshalling station. If you are injured or in trouble please let a marshal know as soon as possible, if you can’t get to the nearest marshal then ask a runner to tell the next one they come to. The marshals will be able to help to get you transported to a first-aid point (you may have to wait) or get one of our mobile first aid teams to you. Please also report any injuries to a first aider in the finish zone as this will help us to plan for next year’s events. The remote nature of various stages means that Basic Life Support is available but access is not fast. Ensure you are fit to run!

Dropping Out: A sweep will follow behind our races. If you are not meeting the pace you may be asked to drop out as the courses will close when the sweep has gone through each section.

IF YOU DROP OUT OF THE RUN AT ANY POINT, FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER, YOU MUST INFORM A MARSHALL. TOO MANY EVENTS HAVE BEEN RUINED BY SEARCHES FOR ATHLETES WHO HAVE LEFT THE AREA WITHOUT INFORMING THE ORGANISERS!

iPods/MP3 Players: We would prefer you not to run with these as they prevent you from hearing what is going on around you and instructions from marshals.  If you must bring yours then you may only run with one earpiece in and must remove both whenever you are on/near a road. We reserve the right to disqualify anyone who doesn’t comply with this.