In a nutshell

With a 30 miler that takes in the entire West Mendip Way and a 50 miler that takes in the East Mendip Way before following the 30 mile route, this is a hilly race with stunning scenery. If you like hills you will hopefully love this! Think astonishing panoramic views from the hilltops, some flatter sections in between with woodland, rolling countryside and a finish at the sea. 50 miler contains some spectacular man-made sights as well as gorgeous natural scenery.

 

COURSE RECORDS

30 Miler
Male: DANNY HAWKINS – 4:09:38 (2023)
Female: CHRISSIE WELLINGTON – 4:20:47 (2017)

50 Miler
Male: NEIL COX – 7:46:30 (2022)
Female: CLARE PROSSER – 7:58:53 (2016)

 

The Mendip Marauder showcases the fabulous Mendip Way, which is almost like a condensed version of the North and South Downs Ways in Somerset! The steps of Ebbor Gorge bring to mind a slightly smaller Box Hill, the expansive views from the hilltops echo parts of the South Downs Way and the overall feel of the route is very similar to these famous national trails.

The 50 Miler takes in the entire Mendip Way, starting at the beginning of the East Mendip Way in Frome. The early miles involve a lot of lush woodland with the occasional close pass of a quarry or across a railway line at one point with an occasional emergence into long fields. It’s relatively flat to being with but around 7 miles in you have a fairly long climb up to the woods that contain the enigmatic Cranmore Tower.

From here you descend the other side and wind through scenic countryside all the way to Chelynch, where the first aid station is located. After that it’s another climb through what is possibly best described as countryside that brings to mind a Thomas Hardy novel. From the hilltop you can see Glastonbury Tor in the distance, but closer by is the town of Shepton Mallet, possibly best known these days for its prison museum at the site of the former jail. Shepton is where you are heading, and the awesome Charlton Viaduct is the point at which you reach the outskirts of the town. After crossing the A361 you head through a small tunnel into the trees, then you will leave the town and head up again, making your way to Wells via more stunning woodland, quite lanes and charming countryside.

Reaching Wells you will follow the moat around Bishop’s Palace before emerging at the spectacular Wells Cathedral. A quick photo opportunity and then it’s round to aid station two alongside the Blue School, which is where the 30 Miler begins. The route most definitely has bigger hills from here onwards. Between here and the next aid station at Draycott there’s a sharp climb straight out of Wells, then you descend to the village of Wookey Hole (site of the famous caves), then up the steps through the gorgeous woodland of Ebbor Gorge (another chance to spot Glastonbury Tor from the very summit), across to the village of Priddy with its quaint village green, then over the fields and to the periphery of Draycott Slates, before heading down into Draycott itself for some more fuel.

The climb out of Draycott is probably the most challenging of the whole route. Heading up and up and up through a steep valley (often a Kestrel flying around here and other interesting wildlife sightings have included a Fox and Adonis Blue butterflies) to the very tops, you are rewarded with a long descent but pause to admire the view first as you can see a long way from here. After this it’s another climb, with stunning views from the top over Cheddar Reservoir and miles of the surrounding area. Then it’s a rocky descent (the most ‘technical’ of the race) down to Black Rock Nature Reserve.

This is a stunning location popular with climbers as well as hikers. Follow the path around and up, then over a long, long field full of sheep and along the road to Rowberrow. This pine forest is somewhere deer are often spotted if you’re lucky. Once through here it’s just another mile or so to the next aid station at Shipham.

The first couple of miles from Shipham are quite undulating before a descent through a green tunnel towards the King’s Wood car park. From here it’s another long climb to the summit of Wavering Down – even if you’re on for a course record stop for a few seconds at the top to admire the view! Follow the dry stone wall until you see the path on the right just afterwards, which descends to the final aid station.

The last stretch to the finish is quite long but there are a couple of welcome (at this point) flat road miles over to Loxton, then it’s up the final big climb of the route to Bleadon Hill, after which it’s mostly down and flat with the occasional lump. You will feel yourself getting closer and closer to the finish through fields full of wild flowers and lanes through the outskirts of Uphill before the cycle path takes you to Uphill Marina. Look up to your right at the spectacular rock face before heading through and turning left onto the road that takes you all the way to the finish at Uphill Sands Beach. Here you will see Brean Down over to your left, the islands of Steepholm and Flatholm out in the channel and the Welsh coast lying beyond, the town of Weston-Super-Mare to the right and quite likely one of the best pizza and burger vans you will ever visit is likely to be right there at the finish too J
 

 

 

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 going over Wavering Down, which has been agreed with local landowners in previous years; 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 Weston-Super-Mare to registration in Wells for the 30 Miler or Frome 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 – The Blue School, Kennion Road, Wells, BA5 2NR.

50 Miler – Wallington Way, Frome, BA11 3NF.

FINISH LOCATION

 

Both – Uphill Sands Beach, Links Road, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 4XY.

 

 

 

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.

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By agreeing to take part in this Albion Running Race: 

You declare that you will be 18 years or over on the day of the event
You are fully aware of the actual and potential risks in participation in this event
Although the race is organised with a full risk assessment having been carried out, will have medical support and will be carried out with the safety of the runners in mind at all times, you declare that you willl compete in the race entirely at your own risk
To the extent permitted by law, you accept that the organisers and sponsors of the race, or any of their agents, will not be liable for any loss, damage, action, claim, costs or expenses, which may arise in consequence of your participation of the event 

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AID STATION LOCATIONS

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(These were the locations for 2024 - if any of them change for 2025 it will be mentioned both here and in the race info, which is sent out a few weeks before the event)

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50 MILER

 

CP 1 – POACHER’S POCKET, 83 Chelynch Rd, Shepton Mallet BA4 4PY

The pub will not be open but this will be a welcome stop in any case!

 

CP2 – THE BLUE SCHOOL, KENNION ROAD, WELLS, BA5 2NR

The aid station will be by the side of the Kennion Road entrance rather than in the school grounds.  

 

CP3 – ST PETERS CHURCH, SCHOOL LANE, DRAYCOTT, CHEDDAR, BS27 3SD
The first aid station on the 30 miler has moved back to its original location – this is after you drop down into Draycott and shortly before one of the steepest climbs of the whole route 😊

 

 

CP4 – TEMPLARS WAY, SHIPHAM, BS25 1RB

 

This grassy area may be a tempting place to sit down and relax if it’s a sunny day – just make sure you don’t take a nap and lose valuable time!

 

 

CP5 – LAYBY at BARTON ROAD NEAR WEBBINGTON (As you come down off the other side of Wavering Down)

 

After one of the biggest climbs of the whole race and getting closer to the finish!

 

 

30 MILER

 

CP1 – ST PETERS CHURCH, SCHOOL LANE, DRAYCOTT, CHEDDAR, BS27 3SD
The first aid station on the 30 miler has moved back to its original location – this is after you drop down into Draycott and shortly before one of the steepest climbs of the whole route

 

 

CP2 – TEMPLARS WAY, SHIPHAM, BS25 1RB

 

This grassy area may be a tempting place to sit down and relax if it’s a sunny day – just make sure you don’t take a nap and lose valuable time!

 

 

CP3 – LAYBY at BARTON ROAD NEAR WEBBINGTON (As you come down off the other side of Wavering Down)

 

After one of the biggest climbs of the whole race and getting closer to the finish!

 

 

Approximate distances from the start for each aid station

 

50 miler

CP1 (Chelynch) – 10 miles
CP2 (Wells) – 19 miles

CP3 (Draycott) – 27 miles

CP4 (Shipham) – 36 miles
CP5 (Barton Road) – 41 miles

 

30 miler

CP1 (Draycott) 8 miles
CP2 (Shipham) 16 miles
CP3 (Barton Road) 21 miles

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