Through the Darkness

Through The Darkness

Through The Darkness is a timed endurance event in which participants run, jog or walk as many laps as possible around a mixed gravel and tarmac loop. Each lap measures 12.00 km with 305 m of elevation; participants have a 12 hour window to complete laps. The course includes marked sections and a midway safety checkpoint.

The event base is at Okehampton Army Camp on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park. Overnight camping is included with entry and basic facilities are provided including toilets, showers and drinking water. There is no electric hook up and limited access to power; arrival by train, bus or cycle is encouraged. A £5 parking charge applies per vehicle for cars and campervans.

Mandatory kit must be carried on the course and includes suitable shoes, head torch (minimum 250 lumens) with spare batteries or a second torch, waterproof jacket with taped seams, minimum 500 ml water and 500 kcal reserve food, whistle, phone with the Race Director number preloaded, a GPX file on an electronic device and a survival bag. Camp requirements include the ability to make at least 12 litres of electrolyte solution, a minimum 2000 kcal food supply and warm insulated clothing for night temperatures.

Timing devices record laps and must be tagged at three locations each lap. Solo entries receive an individual timing wrist band; teams share a single device. There are bespoke finisher medals and prizes for top lap totals and for fundraising. Proceeds support North Dartmoor Search and Rescue and reflect the event theme of moving through dark times toward lighter ones. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.