The Dartmoor Crossing / Great Escape

Event Overview

The Dartmoor BigDayOut features two distinct trail running events set within the Dartmoor landscape. The event center is located at the Ivybridge Rugby Club, which serves as the finish line for both distances. Participants can choose between an ultra-distance mountain run or a long half-marathon.

The following distances are available:

• 33.5 miles - Known as The Crossing, this route includes 1,119m of ascent and 1,516m of descent.
• 15.5 miles - Known as The Great Escape, this route traverses the final section of the longer course.

Course Details

The Crossing starts in the village of Belstone and traverses open moorland, passing over two summits that exceed 600 meters in elevation. The course visits the moorland villages of Belstone, Postbridge, and Ivybridge. It is a fully marked and marshalled route featuring two aid stations and two remote water stops.

The Great Escape begins in Princetown and follows the latter part of the ultra-route. The course crosses the head of the Erme Valley, traverses the Erme canyons, and follows the Abbots Way before descending into Ivybridge. Due to the remote nature of the terrain, this route includes two water stops.

Facilities and Logistics

The event provides a coach transfer from the Ivybridge finish area to both start locations for an additional fee. Overnight camping for tents, camper vans, and mobile homes is available at the Ivybridge Rugby Club on Friday and Saturday nights. The venue also offers food and drink options starting from the afternoon of the race.

All finishers receive a bespoke medal. Participants have the option to purchase an event t-shirt via the entry system. Registration is held at the Ivybridge Rugby Club on the morning of the event, with an option to register at the start locations following a kit-check.

Entry Requirements

The minimum age for the 33.5 miles race is 20 years. For the 15.5 miles race, the minimum age is 17 years. The ultra-distance event has a time limit of 9.5 hours, while the long half-marathon must be completed within 4.5 hours. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.