How to join
south west coast 50

SOUTH WEST 50
Challenge Options

Sat 3 Aug 2024 - REGISTRATION OPEN

50 km, 25 km, or 10 km

The Full 50 km loop challenge, with over 1600m of climb, starts from our basecamp beneath Dunster Castle, and heads to the coast and the official Minehead start of the famous 630 mile South West Coastal Path. The coastal path provides fantastic views across the Bristol Channel towards South Wales in the distance. The historic village of Porlock marks the half way point – then it’s through forests and in to the beautiful Exmoor National Park. Across moorland and a climb up Dunkery Beacon – Exmoor’s highest point – with amazing panoramic views, before descending towards Minehead and on back to the finish line on the lawns below Dunster basecamp where a very welcome finish line celebration awaits. With ‘half (25 km) options available, weekend camping packages at our basecamp, a family friendly 10K event, a bar, BBQ, music & entertainment – there’s a summer festival feel on this challenge!

50 km Challenge

Dunster Loop

Sat 3 August 2024

Starting from our basecamp next to Dunster Castle it’s down to the coast and we pick up the official start of the South West Coastal path in Minehead and head west towards Porlock with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel. After a picnic lunch it’s into Exmoor National Park with amazing views and a climb up to Dunkery Beacon – the highest point on the moor – and then it’s down and back towards Minehead and to the welcome finish line back on the lawns at Dunster basecamp. This is a wonderful route with over 1600 metres of climb – and can be a part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast in the South West.

Sign Up Here

50 km &  ~1600 metres

  • Start: Dunster, nr Minehead 
  • Start times: – 7am for runners, 7am-9.30am for joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Dunster, nr Minehead
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 8 hrs, joggers 8 – 10 hrs, walkers 10 – 15 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Snacks & drinks – every 10-15 km
  • 25 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • 50 km – Hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

2 available (tbc)

Walk, Hike, or Trek

THE SOUTH WEST
50 km < 12 hours!

Up for a NEW Style of Ultra Challenge?

Many who run & jog can crack the 12 hr/50km target. However, an ‘Ultra March’ is about WALKING at a brisk & consistent pace with like minded challengers to achieve it – a bit like a march! – but taking in the great rest stops & services of the South West 50 Ultra Challenge!

  • Participants opt in to the Ultra March category
  • Up to 300 will set off together as a big Ultra March group.
  • Single Start Time – 9.00am Saturday.
  • FREE Ultra March T shirt & headband picked up ‘on-the-day’.
  • Ultra March ‘Pacers’ set min. pace (with ‘sensible’ rest stop time).
  • Special Finishers Medal & Certificate .

THE RULES:

Over & above the general Ultra Challenge Rules – with an Ultra March it’s:

  • STRICTLY WALKING ONLY (no jogging / running)
  • Stage times will be ‘checked’ to ensure the above.
  • You must complete 50km is sub 12 hours to qualify for special medal & certificate.
  • If you are ‘outside’ of the 12 hr target – you still celebrate with a conventional ‘Ultra Challenge medal / certificate.

NOT YET SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?

  • You will be able to ‘opt’ into the Ultra March Category on the ’50km’ Registration / Sign Up Form. So follow the normal ‘Sign Up’ links.

 

ALREADY SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?

  • If you’ve already signed up for 50km as a walker – you can ‘switch’ into the ‘Ultra March’ category on this event at ZERO cost. Use the LINK BELOW to request this; select South West 50 – and we’ll get it processed.
ULTRA MARCH REQUEST >>

25 km & ~600 metres 

  • Start: Dunster, nr Minehead 
  • Start times: – 9am-10am for all
  • Finish: Dunster, nr Minehead
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 4 hrs, joggers 4 – 5 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Snacks & drinks – every 10-15 km
  • 25 km (finish) – Hot finishers meal 
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

 

Dunster basecamp. Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

 

25 km Challenge

Dunster / Minehead Loop

Sat 3 August 2024

Starting from our basecamp which lies below the iconic Dunster Castle, it’s down to the coast and we pick up the official start of the South West Coastal path in Minehead and head west with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel. After a rest stop it’s into Exmoor National Park with amazing views, and then it’s down and back towards Minehead and to the welcome finish line back a on the lawns of Dunster base-camp. This is a wonderful route and can be a part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast in the South West.

Sign Up Here

25 km Challenge

1st Half of 50 KM Route (NEW)

Dunster - Porlock

Sat 3 August 2024

Starting from our basecamp next to Dunster Castle it’s down to the coast and we pick up the official start of the South West Coastal path in Minehead and head west with ups& downs towards Porlock with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel. This is a fantastic route with over 600 metres of climb – and can be a part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast in the South West.

Sign Up Here

25 km & ~ 600 metres

  • Start: Dunster basecamp
  • Start times: 8am – 9am 
  • Finish: Porlock 
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 4 hrs, joggers 4 – 5 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 hrs

At your finish in Porlock  – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finish Picnic Lunch –  glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp
  • Optional transfer back from Porlock to Dunster basecamp

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

 

Dunster basecamp. Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

25 km Challenge

1st Half of 50 KM Route (NEW)

Dunster - Porlock

Starting from our basecamp next to Dunster Castle it’s down to the coast and we pick up the official start of the South West Coastal path in Minehead and head west with ups& downs towards Porlock with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel. This is a fantastic route with over 600 metres of climb – and can be a part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast in the South West.

Sign Up Here

25 km & ~ 600 metres

  • Start: Dunster basecamp
  • Start times: 8am – 9am 
  • Finish: Porlock 
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 4 hrs, joggers 4 – 5 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 hrs

At your finish in Porlock  – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finish Picnic Lunch –  glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp
  • Optional transfer back from Porlock to Dunster basecamp

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

 

Dunster basecamp. Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

25 km & ~ 1000 metres

  • Start: Porlock 
  • Start times: 10am 
  • Finish: Dunster basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 4 hrs, joggers 4 – 5 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 hrs

At your finish in Dunster  – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finishers meal –  glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & drop off at Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp
  • Optional transfer to Porlock for your start (from Dunster)

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

25 km Challenge

2nd Half of 50 KM Route (NEW)

Porlock - DUNSTER

Sat 3 August 2024

Starting from our rest stop in Porlock , it’s into Exmoor National Park with amazing views and a climb up to Dunkery Beacon – the highest point on the moor – and then it’s down and back towards Minehead and to the welcome finish line back on the lawns at Dunster basecamp. This is a magnificent route with over 1000 metres of climb – and can be an unforgettable part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast!

Sign Up Here

the dunster 10k

10 km Loop

Sat 3 August 2024

A fantastic 10L looped route from the basecamp that lies below Dunster Castle. The route explores stunning views of the Castle, ancient hill forts and wonderful trails through the estate woodlands & hills with magnificent views at the top. You’ll be rewarded with a medal, glass of fizz & an optional discounted BBQ meal to celebrate your achievements.

Sign Up Here

10 km & ~300 metres

  • Start: Dunster basecamp
  • Start times: 10 – 10.30am. Runners will set off first, then joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Dunster basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 40 minutes – 1 hr,  joggers 1 – 2 hrs, walkers 2 – 3 hrs

At your finish in Dunster Castle – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finish – optional ‘discounted’ finishers meal, glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking &  pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking on The Lawns at Dunster Start 

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

ARE YOU READY TO SIGN UP?

Sign up now

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