Runners Information
Everything you need to know
Thank you for your interest in The Purbeck Marathon & The Purbeck 16, we hope that you will enjoy running around the beautiful Isle of Purbeck.
The Purbeck Marathon Committee.
Keep up to Date
Please keep a check on our website. If we have any last minute information we will post it here. In the event of bad weather please visit the website for the latest information.
Pre Race Information
Refunds, Transfers & Deferrals
We are unable to offer any refunds once you have entered the race.
If you want to transfer your number to another runner we can accept that up until 2 weeks before the race as long as you have emailed us and we have responded to accept.
We are unable to offer any refunds.
Deferrals will only be accepted up until July 31st 2015 and must be accompanied by valid medical proof (Dr. or Physio. letter), all medical deferrals will incur an administration charge of £10.
Training:
Whether you have never run a race of this distance before or you are a seasoned runner, we’re sure you realise that training is essential. Remember to listen to your body and take care not to leave niggling injuries untreated. Eat and sleep well and remember to taper your training as the race date approaches so that you have enough energy for the big day. We strongly recommend that you visit the Runners’ Medical Resource website which has lots of useful information to help ensure you are fit to complete.
Start Times
The Purbeck Marathon will start at 9.30am.
The Purbeck 16 will start at 10am.
Numbers and Chips: All numbers and chips will need to be collected on the day.
You will be able to collect your number and chip from the administration point in Sandpit Field, just behind the Sea Front (by the finish) on Saturday the 19th Sept, between 4-7pm or on the 20th Sept, at the start, between 7.30 and 9am.
Please ensure that you complete the form on the reverse of your race number. This is for your own safety; we need medical and contact information should anything prevent you finishing the race.
Chip Mats: There will be mats to register your chips at the start, at Tyneham at Corfe and at the finish. It is essential that you run (or walk!) over these as they are there not only to time you but to ensure that we know who is out on the course..
Accommodation:
Swanage and the Purbeck area has much to offer in the way of accommodation. Please visit www.visitswanage.com or Trip Advisor for more information. It’s worth noting that if you only want accommodation for 1 night it’s usually better to call than to try and use the online booking tools.
Directions to Swanage:
Swanage is reached by one of two routes;
- Toll Ferry from Sandbanks (£3.50 per car incl passengers), along Ferry Rd and the B3351, through Studland Village and then take the left onto Ulwell Rd, signposted Swanage
or - From Wareham, take the A351 heading south through Corfe Castle and Harmans Cross.
Parking:
There is no specific parking for marathon participants; however there are several public pay car Parks which are shown on the Swanage map below. Charges are as follows:
Long Stay: Broad Rd, Main Beach (Victoria Avenue) – 1hr £1.50, 2hrs £3.00, 4hrs £5.00, 6hrs £6.50, Up to 24 hrs £8.00
Long Stay: North Beach (De Moulham Rd) – 1hr £1.50m 2hrs £2.50, 4hrs £4.00, 6hrs £5.00, Up to 24 hrs £6
Short Stay: Mermond Place (closest to finish) – 1hr £1.20, 2hrs £2.10. Parking is free between 10pm and 8am
Payment can be made by cash or using your mobile phone (you can pre-register) – further details are here
Race Day Information
You must collect your number and chip by 9am. The registration desk will be closed after this time.
Please see here for a map of the key locations in Swanage
Toilets, changing and baggage: There is a changing area in a marquee situated alongside the finish in Sandpit Field. There are public toilets on Shore Road, about 5 minutes from the changing area. Please note that there are no dedicated toilets at the start, however public toilets are located along with the sea front (near the finish), on the pier north of the start and at the end of Peveril Point Road. Please see the link to the Swanage map above.
Please do not use the bushes as this will not endear us with anyone.
Baggage can be dropped near to the start in Prince Albert Gardens and will be transported to the finish for when you get there!. We have limited space so please only bring a small bag and ensure that it is marked with your race number and name (we will provide labels).
The Purbeck Marathon will start on the Downs overlooking Swanage Pier, adjacent to the Broad Rd car park but will finish in Sandpit field after running along the first part of Shore Road (which will be closed). There are no specific runners’ toilets around the course but public toilets can be found at Durlston Visitor’s Centre and also at Tyneham, just as you enter the village (100m before the water station).
The Purbeck Marathon will start on the Downs overlooking Swanage Pier, adjacent to the Broad Rd car park but will finish on the closed section of Shore road (the sea front) adjacent to Swanage Tourist Information Centre (map below). There are no specific runners’ toilets around the course but public toilets can be found at Durlston Visitor’s Centre and also at Tyneham, just as you enter the village (100m before the water station).
Cafes: We’ve arranged for two cafes to open early on Marathon Day; The Seagull Cafe (just below Prince Albert Gardens where the registration is) and The High Street Cafe (on the High street funnily enough)! We can personally recommend the breakfast fare from both of these establishments!
Race Start: The race starts promptly at 9.30am. There will be a race briefing 10 minutes before the start and then the race will start as soon as the briefing finishes. Anyone arriving after the race has started and the sweepers have left will NOT be allowed to start. I’m sorry but there are no exceptions to this rule.
Running the marathon: The course provides a predominately off-road Marathon that is both challenging and rewarding. It is around 27 miles long – slightly longer than the standard 26.2 but rest assured the last mile is the easiest! As the course is along public footpaths and crosses 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.
Volunteering
This event is being run by the local community FOR the local community and we need volunteers.
Enter The Purbeck Marathon
Thank you for your interest in the marathon, we hope that you will enjoy running around the beautiful Isle of Purbeck
Enter The Purbeck 16
Thank you for your interest in The Purbeck 16, we hope that you will enjoy running around the beautiful Isle of Purbeck
Shop
Why not visit our shop we have some hoodies that make great gifts and all our profits go to charity!
Volunteering
This event is being run by the local community FOR the local community and we need volunteers.
Enter The Purbeck Marathon
Thank you for your interest in the marathon, we hope that you will enjoy running around the beautiful Isle of Purbeck
Enter The Purbeck 16
Thank you for your interest in The Purbeck 16, we hope that you will enjoy running around the beautiful Isle of Purbeck
Shop
Why not visit our shop we have some hoodies that make great gifts and all our profits go to charity!
Volunteering
This event is being run by the local community FOR the local community and we need volunteers.
Enter The Purbeck Marathon
Thank you for your interest in the marathon, we hope that you will enjoy running around the beautiful Isle of Purbeck
Enter The Purbeck 16
Thank you for your interest in The Purbeck 16, we hope that you will enjoy running around the beautiful Isle of Purbeck
Shop
Why not visit our shop we have some hoodies that make great gifts and all our profits go to charity!