Dorset Hillfort Ultra

Starting in the pretty Dorset village of Cattistock, the route takes you up hill to Eggardon Hillfort (10km / 6.2 miles), with its fantastic views over the Marshwood Vale and Lyme Bay. This will be the first Cake Stop. As well as filling you up with goodies we use these to check you are safely through, provide you with water and stuff some cake into your hand. You will need to ensure that we check off your number here, even if you don’t stop for fuel. If you’re running in the team event these are where the handover points are too. Plunging down from Eggardon you then climb up to cross – with the greatest of care - the Bridport road and pass another fort (15 km / 9.3 miles) on the way. Enjoy the mud of the now-infamous 'Cow Lane'. It’s then down again and up to Abbotsbury Castle at approximately half marathon distance (22 km / 13.6 miles) with its splendiferous views of the sea and Portland Bill, with St Catherine’s chapel in the foreground (perhaps one of the most famous views on the Jurassic Coast). From here we have put in an easy section (I must be getting soft) along the ridge following the inland route of the South West Coast Path, again with great views out to sea. Hardy Monument (28 km / 17.5 miles) is not a full Cake Stop but a drinks station and is soon passed, after which there is a long gentle downhill section to Maiden Castle (36 km / 22.5 miles). As well as cake there will be sandwiches here. The next section has a few small lumps before (after another drinks stop at 42 km / 26 miles) you tackle the gentle but rising ridge up the ridge between Sydling St Nicholas and Maiden Newton, from whence you descend past Castle Hill into Cattistock and your triumphal arrival at the finish. (57 km / 35.6 miles). The route is all on public rights of way with a small amount on quiet roads. The majority of the route (85%) is off road on old turf and on tracks, which may or may not be uneven, muddy or hard-baked. There are a couple of busy road crossings, but no running along busy roads. All runners must ensure that gates are closed behind them, even if another runner is just behind you. Failure to close gates may lead to disqualification. Abiding by The Countryside Code is an integral part of our terms and conditions. There are two intermediate timing points at approximately half and full marathon distance.