ONE OF THE HARDEST COURSES IN THE WORLD

This race is an iconic destination for long distance triathletes the world over. Why?

It is both one of the most scenic routes in the world as well as one of the most challenging.

With over 3,500m climbing and a stunning coast path marathon, you will have to dig deep to finish by midnight. 

Have you got what it takes?

The 2022 event was the second running of this epic adventure race.

With a swim start in the pre-dawn darkness, over 70 plucky triathletes completed the course.

Each athlete participated in the fundraising for the RMA.

The winning time of 12hours 15min will take some beating

Maximum kudos to Rick Nicholls!  We are sure your course record will stand the test of time. (challenge anyone?)

Racing to support injured Royal Marines

We organised the 2020 event under pandemic guidelines as a small, self supported race purely for the RMC charity, raising a whopping £13k.

This year the 2021 "Open" event raised in excess of £45,000, which including Gift Aid Tax means over £52,000 for the charity!

If you enter in 2022 you pledge to raise a minimum of £166.40 up to a maximum of £1664. Why 1664?
That was the year the Royal Marines were born here.

This event is held in the spiritual home of The Royal Marines, literally in their stomping grounds.

Event Ethos

This event is about testing yourself to the limit while fundraising for the Royal Marines Charity, participating in a challenging and exciting  iron distance triathlon race over one of the most iconic landscapes of the United Kingdom. 

Start Bay was a key training ground before the 1944 D-Day invasion of Europe. 

Operation Tiger D-Day rehearsals cost the lives of hundreds of American soldiers and sailors.

The location has immense military significance, so we are looking for athletes that embrace both the spirit of comradeship and selflessness as embodied in the soul of the Royal Marines, as well as the mental and physical challenge of racing 226km over land and sea. 

Anything we do as able-bodied triathletes pales into insignificance compared to the challenges faced by these brave men and women who put their lives on the line and were gravely injured on our behalf. 

Test yourself to the limit - MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Raising Funds for the RMA

By pledging to raise a minimum of £166.40 you will be making a difference.

By exceeding that amount, and going for the prize winning target of £1664 you will be making a big difference to somebody's life, somebody who was severely injured whilst serving their country with passion and commitment. Anyone achieving the target will receive a special additional prize TBA. The fundraiser achieving the biggest total will also receive an additional special prize TBA.

Pushing yourself to the limit

Any triathlon is a challenging proposition.

Any iron-distance triathlon is hard. 

Even on flat tarmac and hard-packed ground.

This race is neither of those things.

South Devon hills are notoriously steep and sharp. 

Hill after hill after hill.

2x Ben Nevis in total on the roads cycling.

Then a marathon of rocks and roots, ruts and boulders that break your rhythm, on steep, spectacular, cliff-hugging paths.

Add hundreds of kissing gates into the mix, but with nobody to kiss.

This race is one we guarantee you will remember forever.

Swim - 1/2/3 laps

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3455952172 

Bike - 1/2/4 laps

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4630745857

Run - 42.2km / 30km / 20km

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4616116585

RACE HQ / RACE VILLAGE / T1 and T2

Event HQ is Blackpool Sands, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0RG

Race village, event registration marquee, T1 and T2 / Secure Bike Racking, Food stalls, Sponsor Stalls, Toilets and Showers. 

Swim

Three laps of Blackpool Sands bay with water exit and re-entry for race timing system.

Kayak cover and swim  buoys clearly mark the course.

Wetsuit mandatory.

Mandatory swim cap provided in goody bag.

Mandatory personal swim buoys TBC.

Bike

Four loops from Race HQ  toward Slapton, Stokenham, Chillington, Kingsbridge, toward Totnes, Halwell Cross towards Dartmouth, top of Dartmouth then turn off toward Stoke Fleming and Race HQ.

Each lap is just over 45km (28 miles)

Four laps is just c.350m over the 180k official iron distance (112 miles).

IMPORTANT - NO RE-ENTRY TO RACE VILLAGE DURING 4-LAP COURSE (unless DNF). 

2 Water / Food stations at location TBA.

You will never be more than 13 miles from food and fluids.

Run

It's an out and back coast path marathon.

From Race HQ up to Strete, down to Strete Gate and along the only flat bit of the race: Slapton Sands. 

Through Torcross, Beesands / Hallsands / Start Point. 

Then onwards past Mattiscombe Sands, Lannacombe Cove and the turn around at Prawle Point. That's 21k so half way there! 

You must go up to the coastguard shack and run round it.

There will be a food and water station there, one at Start Point, and one at Torcross TBC.  

Marshalling & Course Marking

Locations of marshals and strategic course markings TBA. 

Make sure you have the GPX files on your device and its batteries fully charged.

You will need a running backpack with at least 1.5L of fluids and electrolytes, as well as an emergency supply of energy food.

You don't want to "bonk" (aka "hit the wall") half way round that exposed coast path. 

Please make sure you're eating, drinking and replacing your salts as you go.  

Essential / Mandatory Equipment

 YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO START WITHOUT: 

• Personal GPS Tracker (Issued by us at registration).
• Swim: Wetsuit / Goggles
• Bike: Helmet / Cycling Glasses & Gloves / 2x Bottle Racks / Cycling lights front and rear.
• Run: Head torch / Running backpack with 1.5L fluids / Spare electrolytes / Spare energy bars x2 / Emergency Whistle / Emergency Thermal Aluminium Blanket / Mobile phone fully charged .

Probably the most scenic iron distance race on the planet!