The Purbeck Marathon 2026
Trail Running on the Jurassic Coast
The Purbeck Marathon takes place on 20 September 2026 around Swanage in the Purbeck area of Dorset. The event includes a full trail marathon and a shorter route called The Purbeck 16. The route follows coastal and inland paths along the Jurassic Coast and Purbeck Hills and passes features such as Corfe Castle and the abandoned village of Tyneham. The organiser notes community involvement and charity support along the route.
Distances and elevation:
- 42.5 km marathon route, 1039 metres elevation.
- 27 km Purbeck 16 route, 640 metres elevation.
The marathon has a published time limit of 7 hours 11 minutes; the Purbeck 16 has a published time limit of 6 hours. Minimum age to enter is 18. Mandatory kit includes a running vest or belt, capacity to carry 500 ml of water, a GPS device with the route uploaded, a fully charged mobile phone, a foil blanket and a whistle. Recommended items include trail running shoes, technical clothing and sufficient fuel. Bib collection is available on the afternoon before the race at the Planet Purbeck Festival on Shore Road in Swanage and also on the morning of the event. Early-bird booking is noted to end on 31 March 2026. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Choose Your Challenge
Whether you take on the full 26.67 -mile marathon or the Purbeck 16, both races follow the breathtaking Jurassic Coast route — and both raise money for local Dorset charities.
The Purbeck Marathon
26.67 miles of the most spectacular trail running in England.
The Purbeck 16
16.9 miles along the Dorset coast — a serious challenge in stunning surroundings.
About The Event
More Than a Race. A Return to Something Special.
"Rated 3rd Best Marathon in the UK by Runner’s World magazine in its very first year." - Runner’s World Magazine
The Purbeck Marathon has been drawing runners to the Dorset coast since 2012. After a five-year pause, it returns on 20 September 2026 — and the route is as extraordinary as ever.
This is not a road race. It is a journey through some of the most dramatic and historically rich landscape in England. You will run along the cliff tops of the Jurassic Coast, through Tyneham or out to views of Old Harry’s rocks, run by the ruins of Corfe Castle, and follow the Purbeck ridges, before finishing in the seaside town of Swanage. The Purbeck Marathon is entirely volunteer-run. Every organiser gives their time freely because they believe in what this event stands for: community, challenge, and the kind of running that reminds you why you started.
What Makes This Race Different
A Scenic Coastal Route Unlike Any Other
The course follows the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site — ancient cliffs, hidden coves, rolling chalk downland, and the ruins of Corfe Castle. This is not a backdrop. It is the race.
Genuinely Challenging Terrain
With 1,059 metres of elevation gain, steep ascents and rugged paths make this o
