The Big Pilgrimage

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From BigFeat Events

  • Date Sun 17th August 2025
  • Time 07:20
  • Location Mayflower Park, Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2AQ
  • Price £42.66 - £53.28
  • Races 2 races
  • Distances 10 Mile, Marathon

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Event summary

Get ready for an exhilarating experience at The Big Pilgrimage, organized by BigFeat Events! This exciting running event takes place on Sunday, August 17th, 2025, and offers both a 15-mile course and a full marathon, showcasing the stunning beauty of the newly discovered Pilgrim Trail, known as 'The Old Way'. The journey begins at Mayflower Park in Southampton and winds through picturesque coastal and countryside paths, with the 15-mile race culminating at the historic Titchfield Abbey, while marathon participants will finish in the scenic grounds of Boundary Oak School, just outside Wickham.

Runners will be treated to a unique experience, including a delightful river crossing where they'll enjoy a bag of BigFeat Pick 'N' Mix sweets before hopping on a boat to continue their adventure. Along the way, participants can explore remarkable pilgrimage landmarks such as Netley Castle and Netley Abbey, collecting stickers for a one-of-a-kind race bib. With coach transport available to the start line and a vibrant atmosphere filled with enthusiastic volunteers, The Big Pilgrimage promises to be an unforgettable day for all! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to embrace nature, challenge yourself, and have fun in a supportive community. Sign up today!

The Big Pilgrimage

Sun 17th August 2025

Silhouettes of two people jogging at sunset are on the left. On the right, a group of runners, dressed in athletic gear, are participating in a daytime race. Pink arrows point up between the two scenes.

Organiser's Description

The Big Pilgrimage  

 

15 Mile & Marathon 

Sunday 17th August 2025

 

 

DESCRIPTION 

 

The Big Pilgrimage  is a fabulous 15 Mile and Marathon point to point mixed terrain running event, which follows the start of a newly discovered Pilgrim Trail called 'The Old Way'. This ancient trail from Southampton to Canterbury was recently found on Britain's oldest road map, the Gough Map c.1360 and follows beautiful coastal and countryside trails, from Mayflower Park in Southampton ; with the 15 mile course finishing at the medieval ruins of Titchfield Abbey and the Marathon finish line in the beautiful grounds of Boundary Oak School, just outside the village of Wickham.

This event is famous for its unique river crossing! When runners reach Hamble foreshore, they are invited to grab a bag of our yummy BigFeat Pick 'N' Mix sweets, before boarding one of our fleet of vessels for the short boat ride across the Hamble River to Warsash, where they disembark and carry on their run around the coast to Titchfield Haven.

On your way you will pass fabulous pilgrimage landmarks such as Netley Castle, Netley Abbey, The Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park and Titchfield Abbey. Participants will collect a sticker at each one to make a collectable race bib with a difference!

 

COACH TRANSPORT TO THE START

On the morning of the event, pre booked coach transport will be available to take runners to the the start location at Mayflower Park in Southampton from from the finish locations at Titchfield Abbey and Boundary Oak School

 

TRANSPORT PRICE

Coach to start - £8

* Add this to your booking at time of entry

* Deadline to add transport to booking is 13/08/25

 

CAR PARKS & COACH PICK UP LOCATIONS

15 MILE COURSE

The Great Barn, Mill Lane, Titchfield, PO15 5RB

* Gates to car park will open at 6:15am

THE GREAT BARN DIRECTIONS

MARATHON COURSE

Boundary Oak School, Roche Court, Wickham Rd, Fareham, PO175BL

* Gates to car park will open at 6:00am

BOUNDARY OAK SCHOOL DIRECTIONS

 

START TIMES

For runners safety and enjoyment, we will start the event in waves. The pavements are wide out of Mayflower Park, but could not cope with everyone starting together.

MARATHON START TIMES

WAVE 1 - 7:20AM

WAVE 2 - 7:30AM

 

15 MILE START TIMES

WAVE 1 - 7:50AM

WAVE 2 - 8:00AM

WAVE 2 - 8:10AM

 

COACH DEPARTURE TIME

MARATHON

ALL WAVES - 6:15AM

15 MILE

WAVE 1 - 6:45AM

WAVE 2 - 6:55AM

WAVE 3 - 7:05AM

 

START LOCATION

Mayflower Park, Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2AQ

MAYFLOWER PARK DIRECTIONS
 

FINISH LOCATION

15 MILE

Titchfield Abbey, PO15 5RA

TITCHFIELD ABBEY DIRECTIONS

* There is no car parking at Titchfield Abbey. Please use Great Barn car park.

MARATHON

Boundary Oak School, Roche Court, Wickham Rd, Fareham, PO175BL

BOUNDARY OAK SCHOOL DIRECTIONS

 

DISTANCE & PRICE

15 Mile - £40

MARATHON - £50

 

REGISTRATION 

Registration will be open from 6:50am 

Runners will collect race bibs from the BigFeat HQ Tents at Mayflower Park on day of the event.

 

 

MANDATORY KIT

* All runners will be required to carry at least 500ml of fluid with them. Most will have hydration vests but handheld soft flasks will be permitted.

* As weather is changeable, especially in winter, runners are advised to also wear (and carry) appropriate clothing for the conditions.

* We also strongly advise runners to download the GPX file of the route onto a wearable watch or mobile device. Although this is a marked course event, arrows can be tampered with, so a good understanding of the route is advisable.

 

BAG DROP

A bag drop tent will be available on the day at each start line. Bags will be transported to the finish lines ready to be collected when you finish.

 

CUT - OFF TIME

15 MILE - Titchfield Abbey by 12:30PM

MARATHON - Boundary Oak School 15:00PM

 

TREES NOT TEES

We work with the Trees Not Tees organization. Runners can opt to have a tree planted instead of receiving a finishers medal.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO

 

WHAT YOU GET

 

* Mixed terrain run

* Incredible views and scenery

* Fully marked course

* Well stocked aid stations

* On course safety & medical support

* Bespoke finishers medal

* Friendly enthusiastic volunteers

* Energetic and fun atmosphere

* On course photographers

* Excellent value for money

* Satisfaction guaranteed

Races

  • Marathon

    Sun 17th August 2025 (07:20)

    £53.28

    Booking for more than 1?
  • 15 Mile

    Sun 17th August 2025 (07:50)

    £42.66

    Booking for more than 1?

Reviews

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  • 1

5.0

4 reviews

Clair avatar
Clair

·a year ago

I entered this race, partly as it fitted neatly within my marathon training block, partly because it's not too far from where I live, and partly because a friend of mine did it last year and really enjoyed it. I've never run with Big Feat Events before but can happily report that I would definitely do this again, although I think I will tackle the marathon next year, rather than the 15 mile event. Firstly, what did I like: the support from the organisers was superb and everyone was so so friendly, the snacks and drinks were abundant so I never felt like I'd run out of oomph, the scenery was marvellous and the little ferry ride was a welcome break. Having Titchfield Abbey as a finishing point was definitely a highlight and seeing a few familiar faces on the way gave me a lift when I flagged a couple of times due to the heat! What was not so much fun, well, of course the shingle but then I suspect everyone says this lol! All in all a fab day. Looking forward to next year, let's hope the weather is nice again. Thank you BigFeatEvents for a well organised, fun, event.
So glad you enjoyed it Clair, hopefully see you for the marathon next year!
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BigFeat Events
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Stephanie

·2 years ago

Very well organised. Probably the best aid stations I've encountered in a trail marathon. Great fun collecting the stickers along the way!
Claire avatar
Claire

·2 years ago

A very well organised and friendly event. I had a lot of fun!
Alice avatar
Alice

·3 years ago

Great race, well organised and signposted. Loved the pilgrim fathers theme and the landmarks where they travelled. Organising the pink ferries from Hamble to Warsash was a really original idea. Beautiful views of the coast and park areas. Last few miles to Titchfield (for 14 mile event) was tough but finish at St Peter's Church was very rewarding. Highly recommended. Thanks to all of the organisers xx

Location

Mayflower Park, Southampton, SO14 2AQ, United Kingdom

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