Race Across Dorset

Race Information

Race Across Dorset is a point-to-point ultra marathon across the county of Dorset. The event was initially started in 2022 and returns in a new format in 2026.

Distances and Route

The event offers three distances:

• 100 km (62 miles) starting at Summerlands Camping near Coombe Bissett.
• 50 km starting at Charisworth Farm, south of Blandford.
• 18 miles (The Purbeck Traverse) starting from Bere Regis.

All distances finish at a common point in Kimmeridge.

The route is fully marked, and carrying a GPX file is mandatory. A key feature of the course is its minimal use of roads, achieved through special permissions to access private routes. The 100 km route passes through only a few small villages and the historic Saxon town of Wareham.

Terrain and Scenery

The route features several hills and varied terrain. The first half of the longest route traverses rolling chalk downland and farmland, including sections of a Roman road past burial mounds. The second half includes lowland heath, pine forest, and ridges in the Purbeck Hills. Views from the course can include the Purbeck Hills, Poole Harbour, Corfe Castle, and the English Channel coastline.

Requirements and Logistics

Runners for the 100 km distance must have completed a trail marathon within the previous 24 months. A mandatory kit list applies to all participants. Transport between event locations can be booked. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.