67 miles, 10,000 feet of elevation, 9 Aid stations, 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 1 World Heritage Site, UTMB Index Race
4th May 2024 5:30am
Event HQ - Offwell Village Hall, Offwell, Honiton, EX14 9SE
Sponsored by Ultramarathonrunningstore.com, Tailwind, Ganesha Wholefoods, Athletic Brewing Company & Otter Brewery
Supporter of the Axe Vale & District Conservation Society
Event will be held under UK Athletic rules
A Trail Running Association Event - License No. 6328
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BRANSCOMBE INTERNATIONAL TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS
2pm June 9th 2024
A trail relay (3 per team) incorporating a 6 ish mile loop from the seafront at Branscombe with some undulating hills....
Each leg starts and finishes outside the Sea Shanty- with team categories of Male/Female/Mixed and Vet (Combined age over 150)
Entry £21 per team plus you will need a complete set of playing cards per team....
Pay on the day.
Prizes on the day
Park either at the pay car park at the Sea Shanty (EX12 3DP) or at Branscombe Village Hall (EX12 3DB)
To express a desire to enter e-mail
hello @rubyredrunning.com
colles, caput et cor
TRAIL RUNNING FESTIVAL IN EAST DEVON
4 Events, 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 1 World Heritage Site, 1 weekend of ordinary people acheiving extraordinary feats!
East Devon Round - 65 miles, 10,815 feet of elevation (3,296 metres), 9 Aid stations, Geo Track timing and tracking, UTMB Index Race - 5:30am start (Age 20 +)
East Devon Half Round 35 miles, 5,968 feet of elevation (1,819 metres), 5 Aid Stations, Geo Track timing and tracking - 5:30 am start. Bus provided from Blackbury Camp back to Race HQ (Age 20 +)
EDR QTR - 14 miles, 1,979 feet of elevation (615 metres), 2 Aid Stations - 9am start from Blackbury Camp. Bus provided from Event HQ to Start (8:00am leave) (Age 17 +)
(Invitation only - previous competitors of the Half Round)
The 2nd Half 31 miles, 4,598 feet of elevation (1,401metres), 5 Aid Stations, Geo Track timing and tracking - 13:00pm start from Blackbury Camp. Bus provided from Race HQ (12pm leave)
(Age 20 +)
Entries close 28th April
Event will be held under UK Athletics Rules. Trail Running Association License No. 6328
EDR Small Print
- Please be aware for 2024 any that are swapping races will not be able to receive a refund. Race deferrals after 1st April 2024 will have a small fee attached to cover extra costs.
- Full Round runners will be demarcated with a flag on their pack for 2024's race.
- Registration is Friday evening for the Full and the Half. Camping and local accommodation available
4th May 2024 5.30am
Event HQ - Offwell Village Hall, Offwell, Honiton, EX14 9SE
ARC 22/263
GPx provided 2 weeks before event. No recces are permitted on private ground.
EDR QTR
This 14 mile route encompasses nearly 2,000 feet of climbing and starts in the magical surroundings of Blackbury Camp, before traversing the private ground of Borcombe Woods, into Morganhayes along single track pine trails before the beautiful descent into the Coly Valley via Ox Woods. After replenishment at the aid stations you will make your way to the source of the Coly before joining the East Devon Round route through Offwell Woods to the finish.
Start -Blackbury Camp 9am (Bus departs Offwell Village Hall 8am)
Finish - Offwell Village Hall
One More Hill
A flare was lit, the pipes were played and the morning sky a brilliant crimson,
Up above Dalwood, the mist hung low and past the first lot of race volunteers we did go,
Down a bumpy track, meander the river and over the wobbly bridge, and on up to checkpoint 2,
The joy of forest and through the lanes of Lyme, the famous Cobb and beach huts we did roll,
The cliff path has an alpine feel, we cast our eyes from Golden Cap to the South Hams as we weave along,
The air is sticky now, the wild jungle of the undercliffs makes us begin to wipe our brow,
No golf today, but an estuary and plenty single track paths to play,
but seriously is there any more hills before Blackbury Camp.
But oh, what a sight, the biggest crowd we've seen, the 'bells in early spring bloom in the magic of the forested fort
Get the music on, the family a welcome sight, we have some road to trot along, One short glimpse of the sea again before the f#@kin ' flint track up one more hill.
Freeze pops give the sugar needed, the dingly dell (no trolls today) before the stairway to devon.
The steps are tricky now, the road a slog, no pints at the Otter Inn but encouragement once more before that one more hill.
Egland looms, the sun is hot, the sweat is dripping, any stream will do, cool the head, control the effort, still plenty to go.
Past the rope swing, rural football, and early purples, down, down the track before one more hill.
The 'barkley' section - really I say?, the legs are acheing, the body thinks its everest but its pen point we go.
Rhododendron walk, mind your head, fallen tree, where is this Luppitt stop for me?
Wonderful friends give all they can to stoke our fires, Hartridge must be run after one more hill of fun,
The remotest section of the day, more devon paths to follow, round the corner and up to Dumpdon, its only one more hill to go...
Family visits and voice notes cheer us as we touch the trig (placing palm on trig is mandatory don't you know?)
Thighs are acheing, waterlogged lane and idyllic village scene as one final pitstop is had
Pounding on road, get me out of Honiton quick, surely this hill can't be all that bad?
It towers above us, voices go to silent, heart rate soars, get me to that pole.
Offwell woods with rubble and mud we do roll,
The final fields, they've lit the way, the most welcoming sight of the day,
One more hill, no sprint finish here, we fight into one more shuffle,
For the day is done and the East Devon Round we have all won.
EVENT LOCATION
Offwell Village Hall, Offwell, Honiton, EX14 9SZ
Ample Parking, Camping on playing pitch beside, use of Village Hall amenities, hot showers.
‘Ultra experience at its best’
'Coming along on Friday night was like meeting up with old friends. Then having a delicious feed and a beer was spot on. The route was beautiful, brilliantly marked and a real challenge. The aid stations were so well stocked and super friendly. Then receiving a medal, t-shirt, bottle of beer and more food was a perfect end.'
'You have a really special race, and I feel privileged to be able to take part in it. We are already planning on heading down next year.'
'As a local it was so nice to run such a stunning (but tough!) route that highlights the natural beauty of East Devon. The ethos of the event as a ‘ultra running social’ and charity fundraiser rather than commercial enterprise is also refreshing
Oh @eastdevonround, you, your countryside and wonderful people have stolen my heart. Alasdair, Tim and Esme have created a wonderful event with such a great ethos, profits going to charities, caring for the trails and paths, providing a full weekend of fun for me and my family with camping, food, cheer and amazing prizes!'
'The legs may be bruised, the energy reserves completely depleted, but there are many reasons I came back this year and as soon as the aches have subsided won’t hesitate to come back next year. You guys have created absolute gem of an event…The course – an absolute monster of epic technical trails through stunning vistas, carpets of beautiful bluebell covered woods, hills with super tough climbs but rewarded with horizon busting views, the sea, the Undercliffs (worthy of a mention all of its own with towering cliffs and tropical rainforest like nature,), the villages full of supportive locals and marshals alike. The people – the dedication and effort by all you guys, the route marking, the aid stations, the unwavering support and the fact that you all care about every single competitor shines strong and bright, you are all incredible. Finally the competitors – ultra running lends itself to friendship, to bonds being formed as we each battle our way through ridiculous distances, the East Devon Round lends itself beautifully to creating these bonds, through the warmth of it’s welcome and it’s embracing care of every competitor from start to finish. It is remarkable how many have returned and a testament to the spirit of the East Devon Round. As one of my fellow club members put it…this is the ultra friendly ultra marathon. A massive thanks to you all for making it happen.'
'I have to say that was one of the best races I've done.'
A full article written by Ian Morris (2019 East Devon Round finisher) also featured in Ultrarunning World
https://ultrarunningworld.co.uk/wp-content/downloads/UW-23-web.pdf
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
Here at the East Devon Round we take our grub very seriously...
See an example menu from last year. Rod and Ben's also provide soups on 3 of the aid stations, with Ganesha also providing many aid station favourites, and Saturday night will be a combination of all 3 plus Pizza, Garlic Bread and Cake. Offwell Primary School will also be hosting a big breakfast on the Sunday morning 9:30am
THE ULTRAMARATHON RUNNING STORE
www.ultrarunningmarathonstore.com
The East Devon Round is incredibly grateful to Keith from the Ultra marathon Running Store who has supported us from the very beginning and offers ridiculously generous prizes year on year!
