Race Details

Event Details

Start times & venue:	Race day is on Sunday 24th June 2012, starting at 10am from the Marathon and Half Marathon HQ, The Green, Woolacombe Esplanade, North Devon (multimap).
Registration:	Registration is between 8.00 to 9.30am at the event HQ. There are visible signs and marques which will direct you through the Event Village. On registration runners will be issued with their number and timing chip. Strictly no new registrations are accepted on the event day.
The route:	The North Devon AONB Marathon & Half Marathon is a demanding yet beautiful course. With Woolacombe bay as the centre-point, runners follow a figure-of-eight around some stunning coastal scenery and inland treats. The steep inclines and mixture of terrain is enough to test any experienced runner. Half marathon runners will stop after the first loop, with full marathon runners going on to complete the second loop in the figure-of-eight route. Route Maps: 1st Half (Half-Marathon Route) - 1st Half OS Map 2nd Half - 2nd Half OS Map
Categories:	There are 14 different categories for the race, with prizes awarded in each category over both the half marathon and full marathon distance. The categories are: Male: Senior Male 18-39, Veteran Male 40+ (VM40), Verteran Male 45+ (VM45), Verteran Male 50+ (VM50), Veteran Male 55+ (VM55), Veteran Male 60+ (VM60), Veteran Male 70+ (VM70) Female: Senior Female 18-39, Veteran Female 40+ (VF40), Veteran Female 45+ (VF45), Veteran Female 50+ (VF50), Veteran Female 55+ (VF55), Veteran Female 60+ (VF60), Veteran Female 70+ (VF70+)
Refreshments:	There are water stations positioned every 2 miles along route. Runners will also find friendly event marshalls to help guide them and cheer them on.
The finish:	At the finish, running times will be available to view from the timing company, and runners can enjoy our famous cream tea to replenish their energy levels! Massages are available to runners from the Massage Tent at the Event Village on the Esplanade; all charitable donations are gratefully recieved.
Results:	Within 3 days after the event, full race results and times will be available from the website.
Rules &Regulations:	The event is permitted by the Fell Runners Association (FRA). The race is conducted under standard FRA rules. No entrants under 18 years of age (on the day of the race) will be admitted, and strictly no dogs are allowed to take part with their owners.
Transferring your place:	The cut off date for transferring a registered place to another competitor is 31^st May 2012 (if, for example you can’t make the race yourself, but know of another runner who can take your place). Unfortunately no refunds can be given, nor can we defer places until 2013. To transfer your place, please contact Emma Lowe with full details of your replacement before 31st May 2012.
Downloads:	Poster Registration Form

Other Information

Training Days	The National Trust 'Training Run' is supporting registered North Devon AONB runners and is starting at Marine Drive, Woolacombe at 10.30am on 26th May 2012. The run will be between 9 and 10 miles long, to give you a flavour of what to expect on race day, and will be led by Jemma Lowin from the National Trust. Places are limited, so book your spot early. A donation of £2 (or more if you're feeling generous) will go towards National Trust's upkeep of the local footpaths. Please contact Jemma by email to book your spot on jemma.lowin@nationaltrust.org.uk
Event updates & news:	Keep up with event updates, training days and news via the North Devon Hospice facebook and twitter pages. Post event, all photos will be added for you to access.
Photos:	Every year the event photos are shared through the North Devon Hospice facebook page. If you have your own photos that you'd like to share, please forward to us or tag us on facebook.
Sponsorship:	This event is brought to you by Simon Oliver and North Devon Hospice. Your event registration helps to pays for the day. Any sponsorships you can raise helps to fund to care and support provided by North Devon Hospice to patients and their families across the community. In addition to the sponsorship forms sent to runners, there is a team of fundraisers happy to help you and support your fundraising ideas.
Spectators:	Spectators are very much welcome with many being found at the Event Village on Woolacombe Esplanade. It's an ideal location to support the runners and then later enjoy some of the local food and the surrounding beaches. Due to the nature of the route, it is not always possible or accessible for all spectators along the route. Although we regret we are unable to sell any food or refreshments from the Event Village, we highly recommend a picnic or sampling some local food from the nearby Red Barn or other cafes.
Accommodation:	Woolacombe and surrounding towns and villages offer a nice mix of accommodation. All registered runners will recieve a unique discount code for bookings at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks. As the main sponsor of the event, they are offering an amazing 50% discount to those registered for the North Devon Marathon & Half Marathon. Full details of the deal can be found by clicking here.
The weather:	In both 2010 and 2011, the race was graced with spectacular weather, with temperatures recorded above 30 degrees. The course is exposed to the elements and we strongly advise all runners and spectators are mindful of the weather and prepare accordingly before arriving on race day.
Course records:	North Devon AONB Marathon: Male: 03:26:46 Patrick Devine-Wright in 2011 Female: 03:50:46 Vicky Skelton in 2010 (North Devon Road Runners) North Devon AONB Half Marathon Male: 01:25:31 Tom Kenerdine in 2010 (Halesowen AC) Female: 01:42:10 Valeria Sesto in 2010 (Lymington Tri)

The Charity

This event raises much-needed funds for North Devon Hospice, a local charity that cares for local people suffering from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. Every pound raised through runners fundraising and sponsorship will make a real difference to the lives of those cared for by North Devon Hospice. If this is toughest race you’ve ever done (or perhaps it is your first ever distance run) then we’re sure your family and friends would sponsor you for your efforts, and to help a worthy cause.

The Inspiration

The North Devon AONB Marathon & Half Marathon is the inspiration of local Woolacombe runner, Simon Oliver. His love of running stemmed from the beautiful surroundings of Woolacombe beach, Morthoe and Croyde. His vision was to create a truly tough marathon course that would offer unrivalled beauty, and judging by the popularity of the race, this has certainly been achieved.

Simon, a long-time supporter of North Devon Hospice, wanted to hold an event that would benefit the local charity. In the two years since the event started, it has raised an incredible £60,000 for the much-loved local charity, helping them care for local people affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Event supporters: