Steaming to the Coast
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Steaming to the Coast
Channel Events organises a trail running event that uses the longest standard gauge steam railway line in the UK. Entrants register at Minehead and travel by steam train along the heritage line to Bishops Lydeard, which lies at the foot of the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There are three distances on offer:
- 11 km
- 11 miles
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
Marathon runners disembark at Bishops Lydeard to begin a 26.2 mile trail route back to Minehead. The marathon route includes the main ridgeline of the Quantock Hills, then drops to Williton and follows sections of the Steam Coast Trail and the England Coast Path. Participants in the 11 mile and 11 km events travel by train to their respective start points at Williton or Washford and then run back to Minehead, finishing outside Minehead Station.
A second train was introduced in 2026 after the first two years sold out quickly. The organiser also highlights a fish and chip supper with Somerset cider as an example post-event meal. The event location is West Somerset Railway, Minehead Station, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
