Not quite the Marathon Day Challenge!
What's Marathon Day I hear you ask? 26th February! 26.2, ah, I see. After a decade of holding the event on the day we're just going to shift it a few days in 2024 to Leap Year Day, 29th February, as we've been given a bonus day! For 2024 we've got a variation of the brilliant Marathon Day Medal designed by the very talented Dave Bottom and as in 2022/3 the event is of a Challenge event format so not compulsory to do a marathon only distance at this event.
The medal is totally marathon themed...
It is made up of 26 lines and 26 blocks of colour.
The medal is 4.2195 inches high and 2.62 inches across whilst the ribbon hanger is 42.195mm across.
The 2023 Medal
We're going to have a six hour challenge running event, run as many, or as few laps as you wish under the shadow of the famous White Cliffs of Dover at Samphire Hoe!
Run a marathon, run a half, run an ultra, run less, as long as you complete one loop you're a finisher!
We put on events run exactly the way we wish they were all run. Low key, friendly and with most of the entry fee being spent on the runners. Please explore and consider joining us.
It's our aim that this event makes an impactful difference to Samphire Hoe in a positive fashion and as such £5 from each entry fee will be donated directly to the nature reserve to aid them in maintaining this lovely environment.
Course Information
The course runs around the Samphire Hoe nature reserve and then along the sea wall in 3.28 mile out and backs.
You can view the route, along with photos and directions on the Samphire Hoe page here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please also see our general SVN FAQ that cover all of our events. which you can read here.
Race Briefing: Mandatory at 08:20.
What do I get?
You will receive
1) A really special finishers medal, custom made and designed, not a generic one.
2) A goody bag at the finish, which has goodies in, not a bunch of adverts. There will be nothing healthy in our goody bags, things they contain for example, chocolate, crisps..
3) A well stocked base camp with plenty of nibbles and refreshments for post race replenishment. This will be very much vegan orientated for this event!
Where is the event?
Samphire Hoe - CT17 9FL - Please check our Samphire Hoe information page for more information.
When do I get my race number?
You'll pick this up on race day morning from the race base camp.
Are there time limits?
Yes, six hours to run as many laps as you can. You can finish at any time within the 6 hours and your final distance will be recorded along with your finishing time. Only complete laps within the 6 hours will be recorded or you must have left the aid station for your last lap by 6.00 after the start.. Any runner completing 26.2 miles laps will have completed an official marathon (by 100 Marathon Club standards), over 27 miles or more will have completed an ultra. As long as you finish one lap then you'll receive an official finish time, medal and goody bag. With timed events there are no DNFs.
Do you have secure baggage facilities
No. But you're free to leave bags at the start/finish. There will always be someone around but we can't guarantee their security. You'll be able to park close to the start/finish don't forget.
Can I leave my own drinks/food at the aid station?
Yes no problem at all, we have a dedicated table for runners own supplies if they have anything special that they'd like to bring along..
Trail shoes? Road Shoes?
Road shoes should be fine. Its 99% on perfect surfaces, you might have a couple of pebbles to step around, but otherwise all on sealed tarmac/concrete/gravel and a couple of wooden bridges. Even after heavy rain the surfaces tend to be very good.
Is the course closed to the public?
No. We are on a public nature reserve. Runners do not have the right of way and need to be considerate of other users of the land, there may be fisherman on the sea wall part and dog walkers, ramblers or cyclists on any part of the course. Please don't litter. We'll have a bin at the base camp, please use this and there are several bins on the route too.
Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?
Yes there are toilets (open from 7:00) by the car park near the start/finish. There is also some information about the reserve and a small cafe (but it may not be open!)
Can I use an ipod or mp3 player on the course?
Yes. Though please be aware that you are running on public footpaths with the general public so make sure that you pay attention to traffic, people, children on bikes, wildlife and so on.
Location Information
Please visit our Samphire Hoe information page for general parking, directions and local area information about public transport, hotels etc.
