RACE THE TIDE
From OuterEdge Events
- Date Sat 16th May 2026
- Location Plymouth, Devon
- Price £42.00 - £72.00
- Races 3 races
- Distances Ultra, Half Marathon, 10 Mile
Event summary
Participants will race against the tide, with courses that meander through beautiful woodland trails, along the serene Erme estuary, and across iconic landscapes like Bigbury beach and Burgh Island, famously linked to Agatha Christie. All races will be fully marked and supported with well-stocked aid stations, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. With free parking and exclusive event medals and t-shirts available for finishers, RACE THE TIDE promises an exciting day of camaraderie and achievement. Don’t miss out on this spectacular event in Plymouth, where adventure meets nature!
RACE THE TIDE
Sat 16th May 2026
Organiser's Description
To finish the Long Marathon and Half Marathon races successfully you will need to run at an average of 4mph.
The Three Races:
A predominately Woodland Trail of 8.5 miles on the private Flete Estate, racing the tide at 7 miles, with 2 Aid Stations. Minimum age. Minimum age 17 years.
A 15.5-mile LONG Half-Marathon racing the tide at 7 miles, with 3 aid Stations. Minimum age 17 years.
A LONG Marathon of 28.5-miles racing the tide at 20 miles, with 4 aid Stations. Minimum age 18 years.
The courses combine to provide a mixture of private footpaths beside the quiet Erme estuary, bridle paths and coastal paths.
Race The Tide Long Marathon was in the Runner's World Top 100 worldwide events in 2022. It includes running along Bigbury beach and across the causeway to Burgh Island, made famous by Agatha Christie as she wrote two books while staying on the island.
Starting times:
9am - LONG Marathon
11:30am LONG Half-Marathon
11:30am 8.5-mile Woodland Trail
*Start times may vary by up to 45 mins. TBC nearer the date *
All courses will be fully marked, marshaled by runners, and have well-stocked aid stations.
Free parking (usually £6.00 per day)
Bespoke event medal to finishers of all races
Bespoke Event T-shirts available to purchase through the SiEntries online.
Further OuterEdge merchandise also available to reserve for collection on the day.
First Aid on course and at HQ.
Dogs are not permitted with runners during the race.
COMPULSORY KIT-LIST for HALF-MARATHON AND MARATHON runners
Capacity to carry 1 litre of water (we are cupless and do NOT provide plastic cups). We will not be pouring water or coke into cupped hands!
- Trail Shoes!
- Waterproof jacket
- Whistle
- Mobile phone with stored number for Race Director and lead medic
- Emergency food
- Foil Blanket
COMPULSORY REQUIREMENT for WOODLAND TRAIL runners
Capacity to carry 250ml of water (we are cupless and do NOT provide plastic cups). We will not be pouring water or coke into cupped hands!
- Trail shoes
- Mobile phone with stored number for Race Director and lead medic.
- Foil blanket
Races
-
RACE the TIDE - LONG MARATHON (29-Mile BABY ULTRA)
Classic Race Which Meanders Out to Agatha Christie's Burgh Island, Following Riverside and South West Coastal Path Trails.. It's a Salt Path Ultra With an Estuary Crossing at Mile 20! Voted in to the Top 100 World Marathons by Runners World Magazine.
£72.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
Booking for more than 1? -
Race the Tide - Long Half Marathon
A 15.5-Mile Half Marathon. Great Craic!
£52.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
Booking for more than 1? -
Watery Woodland Trail
8.5-MILE Woodland and Estuarine Trails With a Crossing of the River Erme Estuary Before the Finish!
£42.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
Booking for more than 1?
Course Details
Fantastic undulating, (sometimes hilly), woodland, riverside and coastal trails with a crossing of the River Erme estuary - before the tide is too high! We also run through the privately owned Flete Estate.. it's an absolute privilege!
Long Marathon. Almost 29 miles of glorious tracks and trails.
The Marathon route takes you to the top of the island before you descend once again to cross the causeway and continue along the South West Coast Path westwards, ascending awesome hills and dropping down to the shoreline time and time again. It’s a rollercoaster. Then you’ll be racing the tide! At Wonwell beach you’ll be crossing the estuary and running towards Mothecombe, then to follow a circular route, continuing along the South West Coast Path for a few miles, then a turn inland through woodland and rolling South Hams farmland, before a return to the Erme estuary and onwards to the finish, high above the Mothecombe shoreline to collect your well-earned Race The Tide finisher’s medal.
Long Half-Marathon of 15.5 miles.
The Half-Marathon is a combination of beautiful woodland and estuarine trails for the first 7 miles before racing the tide at Wonwell Beach. From here the route follows the Coastal Path section, west of Mothecombe and then follows the Marathon route from here to the finish. The total ascent is approximately 613 metres.
Watery Woodland Trail of 8.5 miles.
The 8.5-mile Watery Woodland Trail, is primarily a tour of the Flete Estate’s privately owned woodland and estuarine trails. It has just 3 hills at miles 4, 6 and 8. An Aid Station will be situated halfway around the course and you will be racing the tide at mile 7.5. A Race The Tide bespoke event medal will be waiting for you at the finish line, high above the estuary.
The three routes follow private footpaths, the South West Coast Path, bridle paths, fields, and Woodland. The Marathon incorporates the South West Coast Path on both sides of the estuary including a beach section at Bigbury-on-Sea and a run across the causeway to the privately owned Burgh Island.
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PL8 1LB, Plymouth, United Kingdom
RACE THE TIDE
