Rated 3rd Best Marathon in the UK — Runner’s World
All Profits to Local Dorset Charities
26.67
Miles — Marathon
1,059m
Elevation Gain
Jurassic
Coast, Dorset
7hr 11
Cutoff Time
20 Sep
Race Day 2026
Trail Running on the Jurassic Coast
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20 September 2026 — Starting in Swanage, Dorset
Enter The Race
Choose Your Challenge
Whether you take on the full 26.67 -mile marathon or the Purbeck 16, both races follow the breathtaking Jurassic Coast route — and both raise money for local Dorset charities.
The Purbeck Marathon
£50
26.67 miles of the most spectacular trail running in England
Plus Payment Processing Fee £2.50
The Purbeck 16
16.9 miles along the Dorset coast — a serious challenge in stunning surroundings
Plus Trail Running Association Fee £2*
Plus Payment Processing Fee £2.50
*The TRA and UKA membership fee is not charged if you are an existing member of either organisation.
All profits from every entry are donated directly to our local charity partners.
About The Event
More Than a Race. A Return to Something Special.
“Rated 3rd Best Marathon in the UK by Runner’s World magazine in its very first year.”
The Purbeck Marathon has been drawing runners to the Dorset coast since 2012. After a five-year pause, it returns on 20 September 2026 — and the route is as extraordinary as ever.
This is not a road race. It is a journey through some of the most dramatic and historically rich landscape in England. You will run through the ruins of Corfe Castle, pass through the abandoned village of Tyneham, and follow the cliff tops of the Jurassic Coast before finishing in the seaside town of Swanage.
The Purbeck Marathon is entirely volunteer-run. Every organiser gives their time freely because they believe in what this event stands for: community, challenge, and the kind of running that reminds you why you started.
Why Runners Come Back Year After Year
A Scenic Coastal Route Unlike Any Other
The course follows the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site — ancient cliffs, hidden coves, rolling chalk downland, and the ruins of Corfe Castle. This is not a backdrop. It is the race.
Genuinely Challenging Terrain
A Community That Makes You Feel Welcome
Every Step Raises Money for Good Causes
Run a Living Museum
Start in Swanage, run beneath the ruins of Corfe Castle, pass through Tyneham — the ghost village evacuated in 1943 — and follow the cliff tops of the Jurassic Coast. 26.67 miles of history, geology, and breathtaking views.
Marathon from £50 | Purbeck 16 from £40 | All profits to local charity
What Runners Say About the Purbeck Marathon
★★★★★
Sarah M. — Completed 2019
★★★★★
James T. — Completed 2017 & 2021
★★★★★
Rachel B. — Completed 2018
Running for the Communities You Pass Through
Planet Purbeck
Planet Purbeck
Dementia Friendly Purbeck
St Edward’s Corfe Castle
Get Your Free 12-Week Training Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Purbeck Marathon route?
The Purbeck Marathon is actually 26.67 miles (more than a marathon distance). We also offer the Purbeck 16, which is actually 16.9 miles of the same Jurassic Coast route and starts an hour later than the marathon.
How long is the Purbeck 16 route?
The Purbeck 16 route is actually 16.9 miles ( we always give you more ). The distance is determines by the natural public footpaths. The Purbeck 16 covers 16.9 miles of the same Jurassic Coast route but has one less major hill climb than the Marathon route and starts later in the morning.
What is the cut-off time for the marathon?
The cut-off time for the Purbeck Marathon is 7 hours and 11 minutes from the start. All runners must have crossed the finish line by the designated time. The race starts at 9am from Swanage.
Where does the race start and finish?
Both the Purbeck Marathon and the Purbeck 16 start on the downs above the Broad Road Car Park and finish on Sand Pitt field on the sea front in Swanage, Dorset. Full start location details, including parking information, are provided in the Race Information pack sent to all registered runners.
Is the Purbeck Marathon suitable for beginners?
The course is a genuine challenge — with 1,059 metres of elevation gain and rugged trail terrain, it is not recommended as a first marathon although some novices have completed the course. However, runners with trail experience who have trained for the distance will find it achievable and immensely rewarding. The Purbeck 16 is an excellent introduction.
What mandatory kit is required?
As a TRA-licensed trail event, runners are required to carry specific mandatory kit for safety on the course. The full mandatory kit list is available on the Race Information page. We recommend reviewing it well in advance of race day.
Where do the entry fees go?
All profits from entry fees are donated to charities and organisations nominated by our volunteers and also to our three local charity partners: Planet Purbeck, Dementia Friendly Purbeck, and St Edward’s Corfe Castle. The event is entirely volunteer-run, so operational costs are kept to a minimum.
When is the registration deadline?
The registration deadline is 13 September 2026. We strongly recommend registering early, as places are limited and the event has a strong history of selling out ahead of the deadline.
Have a question we have not answered? Contact us →
Enter The Race
The Jurassic Coast Is Waiting
Places are limited. The 2026 Purbeck Marathon is your chance to be part of one of England’s most spectacular trail running events — and to raise money for the communities that make this corner of Dorset extraordinary.
Marathon from £50 | Purbeck 16 from £40 | All profits to local charity