The Challenges
The Routes
The majority of the event takes place on the incredible coastal path that connects Skegness with Mablethorpe.
It's one big seaside adventure ... so a mix of everything that makes the British seaside so great... beautiful nature and the fun of a seaside town!
- It's very very flat just 299 feet of elevation gain for the Marathon and 343 feet for the Ultra of total climbing!
- The Marathon includes some on road running, some trail running, and firm coastal paths with only a small amount of sand. The marathon route is 26.2 miles for 2024 (as you would normally expect, in 2023 we had a bonus planned mile added to support our tourism plans! check out an interactive route map here
- The Ultra Marathon (35 miles!) follows the same route as the Marathon until you reach Sutton on Sea... then the 'ultras' keep going all the way to Mablethorpe. The Ultra Marathon route can be found here!
Read on to find out about our kit list requirements, cut off times and more details :)
**SAND NOTE - so we cant fully control the weather conditions. This means parts of the route will be a tad sandy (it is the seaside!). We do have some sand as part of the planned course.. It does come onto the seaside path thanks to the wind, but it all makes for more adventure and better stories!.
**Recommended kit note - For the marathon this is recommended (especially the jacket, gloves & hat) but is optional, for the ultra it is mandatory and we wont let you race if we can't see you with a pack on.
Simply put don't put yourself or our team at risk by opting out of the kit. We appreciate 99.9% of the time everything is ok. But in foul weather you can find yourself alone and without direct support, it doesn't take long for things to go wrong. That essential kit helps keep you safe while we get to you.
We've seen the best and worst of situations in races and expeditions ... so we advise to never chance it, we don't police it we leave that to you.
** Cut off times... are really really achievable (you would be able to briskly walk the event) :)
Timings & Registration
We have a total limit of only 400 runners including charity spots across the Ultra and Marathon events :)
The Marathon and Ultra events will be departing at around the same time of 08:30.
We're bringing lots of incredible people together for an exciting start right on the seafront!
Sunset is at 18:23, we want to get everyone on the final mile by then.
Cut off times:
10 hours for both events
A brisk walking pace is 3-4 mph or 20-15 min mile pace
For the Marathon it's 22 min mile pace (1 hour and 7 min, 5k pace)
For the Ultra Marathon it's 16:54 min mile pace (51 min, 5k pace)
Registration, numbers, medals and clothing
Race numbers are collected just ahead of the event, just before the start line (a map and instructions are in the information pack here)
We may also ask you to confirm you have your mandatory items. On the day registration allow us to confirm exactly how many people (and who) we have going out on course. We have number spotters at each of our aid stations (this supports your safety)
Entry price is £49-51 for the Marathon and £57-59 for the Ultra and includes...
- Long sleeve tech top (2024 design shown)
- Bespoke 'seaside' medal!
- Snacks! and lively aid stations
- Event timing (we manually time this event and results are published that evening)
- A huge professional safety and medical team looking after you!
- ...Freddos, many many freddos and a surprising amount of cup of soups, tea and biscuits at the finish in our finishers tea room!
- The event is also England Athletics Licensed :)
Kit & Equipment
We've support on the course for you, but as with our tradition 'long distance adventure approach' we're encouraging everyone to plan to be self-sufficient.
This is important for your safety and enjoyment of the event.
So we recommend to plan your fuel, hydration and spend some time looking at the route as you will be responsible for self navigating (it's very straight forward and we do mark the course).
Our aid stations will have nutrition and hydration along with medical support, but take with your what works for you.
We will be lightly marking out the course, and will have our team at key points, but it only takes a lapse in concentration to miss an arrow or sign or high winds!
So prepare, and you'll have a great adventure!
We do however have mandatory kit and kit recommendations to help you stay safe, and make sure you have a great adventure.
A handy race information pack and video will be updated and released 14 days out from the event to help you with your preparations.
Check out the mandatory & recommended kit list here
Given the flat and mainly paved surface we recommend road shoes are the best choice... but we will review the route in event week.
Support on the event
Helping you to achieve your challenge we have a committed team and fantastic volunteers. Here's a few things you'll find out on the route!
- At the 'aid stations, music, snacks, hydration and a bit of fun to help keep you going supported by some amazing event partners along the route!
- Medical & response team support across the course, we're hoping you don't need us... but we're there to keep you safe and will either get you back to the finish or help you finish the event!
- Volunteers and our team will be across the course at key points to support you.
