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 27.3 miles...(but we do include an OFFICIAL MARATHON TIME - find out more here!) so. you get an extra free mile! (we thought a better route and a great half way destination was better than a 'cold' turn around in a random location!) check out an interactive route map here
- The Ultra Marathon (35.5 miles!) follows the same route as the Marathon until you reach Sutton on Sea... then the 'ultras' keep going all the way to Mablethorpe. We're looking to embrace the community spirit in Mablethorpe so we travel around 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 may be tweaked based on what the sand has been up to. If the paths are knee deep in loose sand for long stretches then we will look at re-routing options for certain sections.
Timings
We have a total limit of only 500 runners for year one across the Ultra and Marathon events :)
The Marathon and Ultra events will be departing at around the same time of 08:30 (we may wave start depending on numbers). We're bringing lots of incredible people together for an exciting start right on the seafront!
This allows for all runners to finish ahead of sunset and we've timed our cut offs in lines with this.
Sunset is at 18:23, we want to get everyone on the final mile by then.
Cut off times:
10 hours for both events
Walking pace (4mph) is 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)
Entry price is £47-49 for the Marathon and £52-54 for the Ultra and includes...
- Long sleeve tech top
- Cake based reward at the finish!
- Bespoke 'seaside' medal!
- Free event photos
- Lively aid stations
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.
Our aid stations will have nutrition and hydration along with medical support, but take with your what works for you.
Now don't worry, we will be 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 make kit recommendations to help you stay safe and make sure you have a great adventure.
A handy race information pack, maps, GPX download and video will be released 14 days out from the event to help you with your preparations.
(the picture was for our amusement... you don't need any rope ;) )
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.
Make a weekend of it
We want you to enjoy a weekend away, celebrating your achievements and keeping those amazing spectators amused!
- An evening of awards, celebration and achy legs
- The Great Big British Beach Fun Run
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 and helping you keep going where we think you'll need that extra bit of encouragement!
Grab an official Marathon time on the marathon!
The Marathon event is 27.3 miles in length, not 26.2 miles... and for a very good reason!
A big part of the event is visiting seaside towns and for us to get to Sutton on Sea, it's got to have that extra mile !
But great news for those looking for an official marathon time ... thanks to the lovely team at the North shore Hotel & Golf Club we've created a 'grab a marathon' station one mile from the finish.
With just less than one mile to go you cross a timing mat at the hotel, we've got a race clock up and plenty of cheering!
The event is UKA licensed (find the licenses here) and we've effectively got an event in an event.... just remember to keep going the finish ;)
It's also a great spot for spectators and an amazing opportunity to meet your runners to join them for the final mile to the finish line right along the seafront (if you can keep up!)
