Slow and Dirty
Sturminster Newton, United Kingdom • 21 Dec 2025
Event overview
The Slow and Dirty is a level trail race held on 21 December 2025 with the start in Sturminster Newton. The course follows a disused branch of the Somerset and Dorset railway that was reopened as a multiuse trail in 2013. The event is described as a level 19 km race on a hard surface and has a festive, family-oriented format. Dogs and buggies are permitted. Finishers receive a medal and post-race refreshments, including mulled wine or cider and a mince pie; modest trophies are awarded to top finishers in the men, women and canicross categories.
Course and logistics
The route runs along a largely flat former railway line with a firm surface of hard-packed stone and tarmac and is fully marked with direction arrows and signs every kilometre. The start is in Sturminster Newton and the finish area is at Clapcotts Farm, Spetisbury, near The Shack bar. There are two aid stations: the first at about 5.5 miles in the Stourpaine village hall carpark (toilets and parking available) and the second at about 9 miles in the Stour meadows just beyond M&S in Blandford. There is plenty of parking at the start, at both aid stations and at the finish. Pre-booked transport (fee stated) is offered from the finish to the start, with a limited post-race return service. Numbers are collected at the start and a bag-drop on a minibus is available at participants’ own risk. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.