In a nutshell

This race is best known for finishing in Glastonbury and for going up and over the famous Tor close to the end. It’s a relatively fast race, mostly because of having more road than any of our other races, but it’s also relatively low in elevation compared to the others; most of the climbing in this race is contained within a few longer uphill sections but in between it is fairly flat and mildly undulating. There is a 30 Miler and a 50 Miler, both of which follow the Leland Trail (based on a journey taken by John Leland in Tudor times under the instruction of Henry VIII to catalogue the antiquities at the various abbeys of Somerset.) The 30 goes off the Leland Trail part way through and loosely follows the Lands End Trail to Glastonbury. The 50 has an additional 20 miles at the beginning before following the 30 Mile route.

COURSE RECORDS

30 Miler
Male: ALEX BENNETT – 3:55:40 (2024)
Female: SARAH TRIM – 4:30:55 (2023)

50 Miler
Male: JAMIE STEPHENSON – 7:30:24 (2019)
Female: JULIET MORRICE – 9:21:15 (2023)


Conquest of Avalon is the Albion event that has been on the least number of times – the first edition was in 2017 as opposed to 2015 for Ham & Lyme and 2016 for Westcountry Ultra/Mendip Marauder. However, it has become a popular finale to the Albion season and has attracted runners from as far afield as Belgium, Germany and even Canada! This is mostly due to the Arthurian legend that surrounds the finish location. Avalon is famous for this, as well as the annual music festival: from one of the paths along the way you can see bits of the festival site down in the valley.

Conquest is a relatively fast race compared to most of our others. The only sub 4 hour times at any of our races to date were here – Alex Bennett, Jack Greenwood and Matt Powell are the three to achieve that feat so far. Jamie Stephenson ran the fastest time for the 50 to date in 2019 but a few runners have come fairly close, including most recent winner Lewis Downton, who defended his 2023 title in 2024.

The 50 mile route starts at Ham Hill Country Park, heading downhill through the woods before a winding lane takes you to the first green tunnel of the race across towards Ilchester; a town steeped in Roman history. From here you follow the roads round past the famous Fleet Air Arm museum and then nearly all the way to Castle Cary you alternate between charming countryside and quiet villages with fascinating place names. West Camel, Wales (yes, really!), Queen Camel, Sutton Montis, South Cadbury, North Cadbury… let’s just say these names are all very fitting for a race with such a quirky town as its finish location.

Out of North Cadbury the route takes a few twists and turns through quaint rural scenes before the first significant climb of the race up to the hillside above Castle Cary, where the 30 mile route begins. You descend into the town, spectacular views of which can be obtained from the hills above, before heading upwards again to the second aid station (first is at West Camel.) From here there’s another green tunnel before you emerge onto a sweeping hillside above an enchanting orchard, which you will descend into. From here there are winding lanes, expansive fields, stunning panoramic views from the top of one or two hills you will climb (look out for Red Kites and Ravens in the skies or Red-legged Partridges in the hills above Lamyatt) and some stunning churches – those at Ditcheat and Redlynch are especially pretty.

The final miles between East Pennard and Glastonbury feature the aforementioned view of the Glastonbury Festival site, another charming orchard where deer sightings are frequent and building excitement as Glastonbury Tor looms larger into view each time you see it. A long climb up Wick Lane takes you so close to the Tor it feels within reach, but there’s a little bit further to go up yet. Once you get there the summit is likely to be a hive of activity – there could be drumming, singing, dancing, chanting… pretty much anything is possible! You are also likely to get applause. From here it’s a long descent into the town, where you may spot a wizard or druid on your way through, then to the finish. The medal is larger than for any of our other races to emphasise the nod to the Tor on a sparkly purple background. In 2022 the final 50 mile runner was treated to a firework display from a nearby Van Morrison concert… it’s unlikely the timing will ever be so perfect again, but you will get a warm welcome and can reminisce on a great day out!

 

 

CUT-OFF TIMES

 

30 Miler - 8 hours (This is the official cut-off but is not too strictly enforced as the aid stations are still open waiting for 50 mile runners for some time after this.)
50 Miler - 14 hours (This is strictly enforced out of fairness to the volunteers and medical staff.)

NUMBER OF AID STATIONS

 

30 Mier – 3, 50 Miler – 5. Please note that this is a cupless race so you will need a bottle or two for water and a cup for coke if you want it (All aid stations have water, coke, squash, sandwiches, crisps, fruit, nuts, sweets and a range of other sweet & savoury snacks.)

 

COURSE MARKINGS

 

There will be markings (red & white tape with some arrow signs – black arrow on a yellow background) for the entire route except for the final couple of miles going up and over Glastonbury Tor and down into Glastonbury itself to the finish; the former because this has been previously agreed with landowners, the latter because the markings would be very unlikely to stay up! The route is obvious for this section in any case. However, it is worth having the gpx file and/or written notes that will be sent out with the race info a few weeks before the event as back-up as markings can get removed. If you would like a copy of these to recce the route before the race please email albionrunning@hotmail.com

MEDICAL SUPPORT

 

Professional medics will cover this race – details of who to contact if you require medical support during the race etc. will be provided in the race info, which is sent out a few weeks before the event. As always, if you have a medical emergency and are not in the immediate vicinity of the medics the best thing to do is to call 999.

COACH

 

There is coach transport available from the finish in Glastonbury to registration in Castle Cary for the 30 miler or Ham Hill for the 50 miler for those who require it at an additional cost of £3 per runner – you will confirm your need for this when the race info gets sent out a few weeks before the race and will be emailed an invoice that can be paid by card or Paypal for the coach fee.
 

START LOCATION

 

30 Miler – Maggs Lane, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7JJ.

50 Miler – Ham Hill Country Park, Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, Somerset, TA14 6RW.

FINISH LOCATION

 

Both – (TBC) Tor Leisure Centre, Street Road, Glastonbury, BA6 9EF – this has been the finish location in previous years; the centre received a large grant in 2024 and have been closed for refurbishments. This location will be confirmed ASAP – if it is not here it will be nearby.

 

 

 

PACERS

 

Pacers are not allowed for the 30 or 50 miler but if you are nervous about running on your own later on in the 50 miler you are welcome to have a buddy runner for reassurance.

 

CREW

 

There is nothing to stop friends/family meeting you at certain points – it’s not against the rules, but please only meet them at locations with plenty of parking etc. (some good meeting locations will be suggested in the race info nearer the time.) You are allowed to sit in their vehicle but not while it is moving for obvious reasons. Crews must show respect to local residents in terms of parking and show consideration to anyone else who is out for the day. There will be suggested meeting points for crew sent out with the race info based on up-to-date local information at the time.

 

SUPPORTERS

 

You are allowed to have supporters come out to cheer you on – as with crews it is crucial that they show respect to local residents in terms of parking and show consideration to anyone else who is out for the day – if this does not happen it can have serious implications for the future of the event.
 

 

DROP BAGS

 

30 Miler and 50 Miler - You will be allowed a VERY SMALL drop bag to be taken to the finish if you will need this for any reason but please only if it is absolutely necessary as we have limited room in vehicles to take these to the finish – no large rucksacks or suitcases etc. There will be tags for these at the start on which you should write your race number and ’30 Miler’ or ’50 Miler’ depending on which race you are doing.

KIT

 

There is no mandatory kit for this race but these are suggested items that you should consider carrying: -
* Waterproof jacket that you have used in rainy conditions and know will do the job

* Hat and Gloves in case of unseasonably cold weather (possible in Somerset!)

* An additional base layer (this can be lightweight, and it's advisable if it is, as long as it's an additional layer)

* Headtorch with spare batteries in case of late finish

* High viz clothing for night

* Whistle

* Compass

* Mobile phone that is fully charged at start – battery pack if you can get one
* Some Emergency food that you like/water, plus at least one 500ml water bottle to carry with you

* Foil survival blanket in case of emergencies

* Personal first aid kit with plasters, savlon etc.

 

AWARDS

 

There will be a trophy for the first male and first female finishers, and all finishers will receive a medal.