The Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon
This Autumn Half Marathon is run in the Forest of Dean at the end of September. Using the same organization (but a different course) as the popular Spring event, this race follows a forest trails course with no road crossings. This course has some interesting hill challenges and offers a chance to experience the Forest with its late-summer leaf canopy.
This annual event is organised by The Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean and supported by the Forestry Commission. Proceeds are used to support charities, both locally and nationally. We are very grateful for the involvement and support of a host of individual volunteers, together with a number of local organisations who make this event successful; including the Forestry Commission, the Speech House Hotel and the Forest of Dean Motor Club.
Course Details
The race course for the autumn half-marathon will run entirely on forest trails with no road crossings at all! The course will use a number of different trails compared with the spring course. The officially-measured half-marathon course (13 miles 192.5 yards) is run on way-marked trails laid out by the Forestry Commission. Special permission has been given to stage the race over this course.
The course starts and finishes at Speech House and uses well maintained multi terrain tracks, including short gravel sections. The course is marked by yellow paint on the ground and mile markers, and the route will be marshalled and led by cyclists. Water stations are provided at approximately 5 km intervals and additional drinks are available at the finish.
Registration
Entrants must be 17 years or older on race day. Entry fees are shown as £34 for UKA affiliated club members and £36 for non affiliated runners; these include a non refundable £5 processing fee. Manual entries incur an extra £3. Entries must be received by midnight on Sunday 13 September 2026; remaining places may be offered online at a higher fee until close of late entry availability. No entries are permitted on the day.
Race timing follows UKA practice with gun timing for official results and chip timing for individual performances. Race bibs with integrated timing chips will be issued on the day and may be kept as souvenirs. Every finisher receives a medal. Medical cover, radio communications, an information point, and photographic coverage are provided.