Outdoor festival launches with most iconic trail

A new outdoor festival with one of Britain’s toughest trails is promised to be one of the highlights of the South west festival.

The running event is to take place in the heart of Heddon Valley in North Devon this September 23-25.

There will be a mixture of trail running challenges, with three distances to choose from which are a full off road marathon length race, a half marathon event, and a 10km challenge.

Ceri Rees, chief trail architect and race director said: “It is, without a doubt, one of the most scenic and toughest coast and country trail running marathons in Britain.”

The North Devon coast is famous for its secluded coves and beaches, some of which are known for German U-boats to have landed during WW2 and taken on water.

The long course follows a cliff hugging route along to Woody Bay, Lynton, and Watersmeet before looping through to the valley of rocks back to Heddon, detouring past Hangman Hills.

The highlight of the course will be views out across the Bristol Channel towards Wales and Lundy Island.

Ceri who has completed most of the iconic trails around the South West said: “The marathon involves more than 6 thousand feet of elevation gain.

“The marathon and half marathon share the same mixed terrain path, but the 10k trail is a totally different beast.

“If you want to experience a section of the long marathon without taking the whole thing you can join a 3 member team and take a section each.”

Discounted early bird entries for all distances are open until Friday 15 July.

For tickets and further details visit natinaltrust.org/swof or wildrunning.co.uk/events/south-west-outdoor-festival-trail-races