May The Fourth Be With You (Original)
Church Stretton, United Kingdom • 2 May 2026
May The Fourth Be With You (Original)
The May The Fourth Be With You (Original) event is organized by How Hard Can It Be Events and takes place in the Shropshire Hills. The race headquarters is located at Carding Mill Valley, situated just outside the town of Church Stretton. Participants can choose between two primary distances which follow a lap-based format over the Long Mynd and surrounding hills.
- Half Marathon (approx. 13.1 miles)
- Full Marathon (approx. 26.2 miles)
The course consists of a 13.1-mile lap. Participants in the Half Marathon complete one lap, while those in the Full Marathon complete the same circuit twice. The event has a total entry limit of 200 participants for the main race. In addition to the physical event, a virtual race option is available during the week of May 4th.
The route features significant elevation as it traverses the hills and valleys. For the Full Marathon, a course cut-off time of 7 hours is in place. Runners must finish their first lap by 11:30 AM to be permitted to start their second lap. The course is supported by aid stations and marshals at various points. All finishers receive a medal upon completion of their distance. Registration is open to individuals aged 17 and over for the Half Marathon, and 18 and over for the Full Marathon. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.