RUN Barnstaple Marathon 2025

Raising sponsorship 

Your registration fee only covers the cost of delivering this event. It’s your sponsorship that will help us make the most of short and precious lives across the South West. Without the support of wonderful fundraisers like you, we would not be able to keep caring for babies, children and young people across the South West and their families.  

Run miles to raise smiles

• £70 could help to fund 1 hour of care at your local children’s hospice 
• £150 could support a family through the early stages of their bereavement journey 
• £320 could pay for 1 day of care in the family home for a baby, child or young person and their family 
• £1,000 could pay for heat, light and power for 1 week at your local children’s hospice 

Fundraising online 

It’s the easiest way to get sponsored. Let everyone know why you’re taking part and update your page with photos and videos. Share your page on social media, WhatsApp and by email so your family and friends can sponsor you.   

Set up JustGiving page

RUN Barnstaple Marathon route

Download route map (PDF)

The route is almost entirely flat, there is a small lump in the road as you come out of Fremington, but it isn't anything that can be called a hill. It is absolutely pancake flat; and very, very fast. Looking for a PB? This is your course – although we should mention the wind! It can be breezy and there will be a headwind at some point on the course.  

The race starts and finishes at Rock Park in Barnstaple and heads down Ladies mile. Turning left onto Taw Vale, the runners will pass down one of the most scenic roads in the town.  

The route goes all the way along the Strand to the old Civic Centre car park where you then access the Tarka Trail. It’s straight out to Wrafton where the route takes a turn from the trail onto the road up towards The William’s Arms pub. A turn left onto the path adjacent to the main road towards Braunton until the roundabout where the runners will turn left and head down towards Velator.  

At the next roundabout, the route takes a left to rejoin the Tarka Trail heading back to Barnstaple, back up the Strand where you pick up the Half Marathon Route, head over the old bridge, and access the Tarka Trail at Shapland and Petters.

From there it's the Tarka Trail all the way to Fremington and then up the Fremington Quay road (closed to traffic) to the main road. The route follows the main road all the way to Yelland, the road is not closed but there is pavement for most of the route, sections that don't have pavement will be coned off but please take care and be aware of traffic! There is one small incline out of Fremington and that's the one bump in the whole race.  

At Yelland Quay runners will take a left onto the Tarka Trail towards Instow (be aware the half marathoners turn right here) turning a loop in the tunnel to head back towards Barnstaple (this section has replaced the RMB Chivenor airfield sections of previous years). Now heading back to Barnstaple on the Tarka Trail, crossing the old bridge again turning left onto the Strand then turning left just before the old fountain and left again to go under the under pass and head back to the park to Taw Vale, Ladies mile and a victorious finish.  

Water stations

There are 8 water stops on the route:

• Old Shapland Site
• Fremington Quay
• Fremington Green
• Yelland
• Civic Centre
• Ashford
• Chivenor
• Vellator

Important details for on the day 

All routes are well marked, with distance markers, directional signs, and marshals. Most of the route is on either closed roads or the Tarka Trail, however there is a section of around a mile in which participants will be sharing the road with cars. The Tarka Trail is open as usual to the public and bikes, walkers etc will be using the trail on race day. 

Race start and finish: Rock Park, Ladies Mile, Barnstaple, EX32 9AH 

Timings 

• The Marathon starts at: 9am  
• The Half Marathon starts at 10am 
• The 10k starts at 11am 

Registration, running numbers, bag drop 

Registration, running number collection and bag drop is at Park School (Park Lane, Barnstaple EX32 9AX) which can be accessed via steps from Rock Park/Ladies Mile. Please allow plenty of time to register, get your number and drop your bags before your race start as it can get busy. 

Registration timings: 

• Marathon registration is from 7.30am to 8.30am 
• Half marathon registration is from 8.30m to 9.30am 
• 10k registration from 9:45 to 10:30 am 

You must attend in person to collect your number; we do not post numbers out. 

Please wear your number on the front of your body, it must be clearly displayed on your torso. Do not fold it as the chip is contained on the number and you will damage it and it may mean you don’t get a time or a finish position if you do. Please attend the race briefings 10 minutes before the start of each race located at the start area. 

If you have purchased a CHSW running vest, we will post this out before the race to wear with pride during your training. 

Event Village 

The Event Village, and start and finish is: Rock Park, Barnstaple,  

The event village will have food and drink vendors, a bar, and stalls. There will be fun and entertainment for children so please bring family and friends along to support you. 

Dogs on leads are welcome to spectate and in the event village but are not permitted to participate.  

Toilets 

There are toilets, in the event village.  

Parking 

Barnstaple town centre has ample public parking.  

There is no vehicle access to Rock Park, the road is closed all day.  

Spectators 

There are plenty of great vantage spots for spectators to cheer. Our favourites are: 

• The start and finish line 
• Fremington Quay 
• Barnstaple Long Bridge 
• Vellator near the Quay Cafe 
• Barnstaple Town Square 

Water station locations 

At Children's Hospice South West we strive to make our events as 'green' as possible. Thirsty Work are providing the water and recyclable cups for us at the 8 water stations and will be selling reusable bottles in the event village. We encourage runners to bring their own bottle or cup.  

At each water station there will be water and jelly babies (and water and sponges in case it’s hot!) 

Please note we will not be supplying isotonic gels or drinks at the water stations, please bring your own. 

There are rubbish bins at each station, please do not throw cups, or rubbish along the route, please give it to the volunteers at the water stations or put it in the bins. 

• Full and Half Marathon - Old Shapland Site 
• Full and Half Marathon - Fremington Quay 
• Full and Half Marathon - Fremington Green  
• Full and Half Marathon - Yelland 
• Full marathon - Civic Centre  
• Full marathon - Ashford  
• Full marathon - Chivenor 
• Full marathon - Vellator 

First aid 

First Aid cover is provided by Medicare Southwest Ltd. 

Prizes 

All races have the same prizes for male and female runners: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall.   

The marathon and half marathon will also have 1st in the following age groups: Vet 40, Vet 50, Vet 60. These age groups are for male and female.   

Prizes need to be collected on the day, we do not send out prizes, if you think you have won a prize please stay for the presentation. 

Marshals and headphones 

Our fabulous marshals are all volunteers giving up their time on a Sunday to ensure our event can go ahead. Please be respectful, they are there for your safety, look out for them and listen to any instructions given by them, failure to do so may result in disqualification.   

We prefer you not to wear headphones, this is for your safety and for other people using the route. If you choose to wear headphones, please do not wear them on any of the road sections of the races. 

Can you help at RUN Barnstaple?

We are looking for volunteers to help make RUN Barnstaple a continued success. 

• Race marshalls
• Back-markers
• Water stop volunteers
• Registration and bag drop
• Finish line crew