Marathon
Sun 28 Sep 2025 Barnstaple, Devon, UK

RUN Barnstaple | Marathon

Flat, fast and an ideal setting for those aiming to achieve a personal best and is a great choice when looking for a marathon that is eligible for good for age for the London Marathon.

  • Sun 28 Sep 2025
Rock Park, Barnstaple

Marathon

09:00

Age 18 & over

Sign up £35-£37

Fundraise £70

  • 26.2 miles road running

Event overview

RUN Barnstaple offers a flat and fast course, making it the ideal setting for those aiming to achieve a personal best. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or looking to take on your first running challenge, go the distance for your local children's hospice and together let’s raise vital funds and awareness for children, young people and families living with life-limiting conditions. 

This event is part of RUN Barnstaple.

  • All fitness levels
  • Average fitness
  • Dogs allowed
  • Event village
  • Spectators
  • Superfit only
  • Traders at event

Timetable

  • 07:30-08:30 | Marathon registration
  • 08:30-09:30 | Half marathon registration
  • 09:45-10:30 | 10K registration
  • Please attend race briefing 10 minutes before your race starts

You must attend in person to collect your number; numbers are not posted out.

Dogs

Dogs on leads are welcome to spectate and in the event village but are not permitted to participate.

Spectators

There are plenty of great vantage spots for spectators to cheer. The favourites are: 

  • The start and finish line 
  • Fremington Quay 
  • Barnstaple Long Bridge 
  • Vellator near the Quay Cafe 
  • Barnstaple Town Square 

  • Free parking
  • Paid parking
  • Park
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Rock Park
1881 Ladies' Mile
Barnstaple
Devon
EX32 9AQ
UK

Event Village

The event village will have food and drink vendors, a bar, and stalls. There will be fun and entertainment for children so please bring family and friends along to support you. 

Registration

Registration, running number collection and bag drop is at Park School (Park Lane, Barnstaple EX32 9AX) which can be accessed via steps from Rock Park/Ladies Mile. Please allow plenty of time to register, get your number and drop your bags before your race start as it can get busy.

Parking

Barnstaple town centre has ample public parking. There is no vehicle access to Rock Park, the road is closed all day.  

  • Distance markers
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • Mostly closed roads
  • Toilets
  • Water stations
  • Way markers

Introduction

All routes are well marked, with distance markers, directional signs, and marshals. Most of the route is on either closed roads or the Tarka Trail, however there is a section of around a mile in which participants will be sharing the road with cars. The Tarka Trail is open as usual to the public and bikes, walkers etc will be using the trail on race day.

Map

map

Description

The route is almost entirely flat.

There is a small lump in the road as you come out of Fremington, but it isn't anything that can be called a hill. It is absolutely pancake flat; and very, very fast. Looking for a PB? This is your course – although we should mention the wind! It can be breezy and there will be a headwind at some point on the course.  

The race starts and finishes at Rock Park in Barnstaple and heads down Ladies mile. Turning left onto Taw Vale, the runners will pass down one of the most scenic roads in the town.  

The route goes all the way along the Strand to the old Civic Centre car park where you then access the Tarka Trail. It’s straight out to Wrafton where the route takes a turn from the trail onto the road up towards The William’s Arms pub. A turn left onto the path adjacent to the main road towards Braunton until the roundabout where the runners will turn left and head down towards Velator.  

At the next roundabout, the route takes a left to rejoin the Tarka Trail heading back to Barnstaple, back up the Strand where you pick up the Half Marathon Route, head over the old bridge, and access the Tarka Trail at Shapland and Petters.

From there it's the Tarka Trail all the way to Fremington and then up the Fremington Quay road (closed to traffic) to the main road. The route follows the main road all the way to Yelland, the road is not closed but there is pavement for most of the route, sections that don't have pavement will be coned off but please take care and be aware of traffic! There is one small incline out of Fremington and that's the one bump in the whole race.  

At Yelland Quay runners will take a left onto the Tarka Trail towards Instow (be aware the half marathoners turn right here) turning a loop in the tunnel to head back towards Barnstaple (this section has replaced the RMB Chivenor airfield sections of previous years). Now heading back to Barnstaple on the Tarka Trail, crossing the old bridge again turning left onto the Strand then turning left just before the old fountain and left again to go under the under pass and head back to the park to Taw Vale, Ladies mile and a victorious finish.  

Water stations

There are 8 water stops on the route:

  • Old Shapland Site
  • Fremington Quay
  • Fremington Green
  • Yelland
  • Civic Centre
  • Ashford
  • Chivenor
  • Vellator

  • Recycling

Children's Hospice South West strive to make their events as 'green' as possible. Thirsty Work is providing the water and recyclable cups at the 8 water stations and will be selling reusable bottles in the event village. Runners are encouraged to bring their own bottle or cup.

  • Medal

Prizes

All races have the same prizes for male and female runners: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall. 

The marathon and half marathon will also have 1st in the following age groups: Vet 40, Vet 50, Vet 60. These age groups are for male and female.   

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising support

Children's Hospice South West

A sponsorship target of £70 is suggested, which could help to fund one hour of care at your local children’s hospice.

Your registration fee only covers the cost of delivering this event. It’s your sponsorship that will help us make the most of short and precious lives across the South West. Without the support of wonderful fundraisers like you, we would not be able to keep caring for children and young people across the South West and their families.

Run miles to raise smiles

  • £70 could help to fund one hour of care at your local children’s hospice
  • £150 could support a family through the early stages of their bereavement journey
  • £320 could pay for a day of support and care in the family home for a child and their family
  • £1,000 could pay for heat, light and power for 1 week at your local children’s hospice

Fundraise online

It’s the easiest way to get sponsored. Let everyone know why you’re taking part and update your page with photos and videos. Share your page on social media, WhatsApp and by email so your family and friends can sponsor you.

Fundraising downloads

You'll get a downloadable handy guide with loads of ideas on how to fundraise, including:

  • Logos

    To help make your online fundraising look great!

  • Sponsor form

    Traditional paper sponsor forms are available if you prefer.

  • Email banner

    Tell everyone what you're doing in your communications.

  • Word template

    To help share the charity's branding and cause.

  • Bunting

    Decorate your events easily.

  • Events poster

    Show everyone the challenge you're taking on.

  • Sweepstake

    Making fundraising as easy as possible with ready-made ideas.

  • About CHSW poster

    Raise awareness of this important local cause.

  • Social media and press coverage

    Share online and watch the donations come in.

  • Fundraising pack

    It's all here - you're ready to get started!

  • Age 18 & over
  • Entries open
  • Collect race pack
  • Enter online

Entry fees

Entry fee (Unaffiliated)

£37.00

Entry fee (Affiliated)

£35.00

Minimum sponsorship

£70.00

Other races at event

  • Sun 28 Sep 2025
  • #2 of 4
Rock Park, Barnstaple

Half Marathon

10:00

Age 17 & over

Sign up £30-£32

Fundraise £70

  • 13.1 miles road running
  • Sun 28 Sep 2025
  • #3 of 4
Rock Park, Barnstaple

10K

11:00

Age 15 & over

£24-£26

  • 10 km road running
  • Sun 28 Sep 2025
  • #4 of 4
Rock Park, Barnstaple

Final Mile Junior Challenge

13:00

All ages

FREE

  • 1 mile road running