Conquest of Avalon rounds off the Albion Running season in style. It's all about the infamous landmark that you can see from various points along the way until you have to climb it just a couple of miles from the end. Runners have come from as far away as Canada to take part in the race for this reason but there is plenty more to make this an event that people enjoy. Less hilly than the Mendip Marauder but still with enough up and down to keep things interesting. Without the seaside finish of Ham & Lyme but instead the panoramic view from that famous hill before a descent into a quirky town with a host of characters. As with all Albion Running events we aim for a friendly and fun atmosphere but we choose routes that showcase some of the best that Somerset has to offer and this is definitely no exception. You also get a quite spectacular medal for your troubles.

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There's a 30 or a 50 miler to choose from, both of which are steeped in history and showcase the heart of the south-west; these routes display a side of the region that remains undiscovered by many

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So.....

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The 50 miler follows the Leland Trail until you get to Bruton, then you will merge with the Land's End Trail shortly afterwards for the second part of your journey to Glastonbury. The first half of the route was based on royal librarian John Leland's journey in the 16th century to discover which artefacts were held in different churches and priories throughout Somerset. He was sent by Henry VIII, who was planning to take the artefacts for himself and drive out the monks. In 1539 Henry VIII took Glastonbury Abbey's resources and Abbott Whiting was executed along with his two brothers. The others monks were forced to leave and the Abbey was sold, much of the stone being taken by local people to build houses, and the causeway to Wells. Along the Leland Trail you will pass near the Iron Age hill fort at Cadbury Castle, the Roman town of Ilchester and through Wales....yes, really....but not that one! You will then follow the Land's End Trail, a largely unknown route, the remainder of the way to Glastonbury. That magical tor will come into view at various points along the way and excitement will build as it gets closer and closer. From the top it's basically all downhill to the finish - literally, not metaphorically :) You can see the Tor from various points along the way, including as you approach Castle Cary just 20 miles in 

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For the 30 miler you will follow the final 30 miles of the 50 mile route from Castle Cary to Glastonbury. This will feature a scintillating slideshow of south-west scenery, and of course the magnificent tor, and the astonishing panoramic view from the top. The hills around Lamyatt are rolling, the orchards, tracks and fields around Ditcheat and East Pennard recall a countryside that seems lost in this modern world and then of course the approach to the Tor feels magical - that enigmatic tower looming ever nearer as you round each corner or crest each hill

There's a spectacular medal for this race, which we try to do for every race, but just look at that shining metal tower - isn't it worth having one of those in your collection?? When you finish you can take a breather and as other runners come in you can reminisce about how you got to Avalon. This is the vibe we like to go for at our races - you may be trying to win, you may just be trying to finish, but when you do finish everyone is there for the same reason and there's a totally friendly atmosphere

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Whichever route you take you will get to run over the same iconic landmark approaching the finish, the choice is yours.....

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