Race info
Everything
you need.
Schedule, mandatory kit, routes, difficulty, respect the trails, how to get there, and every FAQ — all on one page.
Race day schedule
Saturday 10 July 2027
- 06:45National Trust car park opens · Registration opens at Knoll House Hotel (bib & chip collection)
- 07:30Race registration closes
- 07:50Race briefing at the start line — Beat the Ferry 50k
- 08:00Race START — Beat the Ferry 50k
- 08:05Race briefing at the start line — Studland 25k
- 08:15Race START — Studland 25k
- 13:15Race finish — Studland 25k
- 18:00Race finish — Beat the Ferry 50k
Race registration closes 07:30 — no exceptions.
Mandatory kit
What you must carry
Beat the Ferry 50k
- ■Water bottle / bladder capable of carrying 1 litre of water
- ■Fully charged mobile phone with race director numbers
- ■Foil survival blanket
- ■2 energy bars or gels
- ■Reusable cup (no single-use)
- ■The .gpx file loaded on your phone or watch
- ■In the event of bad weather: waterproof jacket (Gortex or similar, taped seams, minimum 10,000 mm)
Studland 25k
- ■Water bottle / bladder capable of carrying 0.5 litre of water
- ■Fully charged mobile phone with race director numbers
- ■Reusable cup
- ■The .gpx file loaded on your phone or watch
- ■In the event of bad weather: waterproof jacket (Gortex or similar, taped seams, minimum 10,000 mm)
Download the route .gpx files from the Routes & maps section.
Routes & maps
ROUTE INFO
Route maps and GPX downloads are provisional for 2027
Route
Beat the Ferry 50k
50 km · 922 m ↑
Studland → Corfe Castle → Grange Hill → Corfe → Studland. Full loop of the Purbeck ridge with two visits to Corfe.
Route
Studland 25k
25 km · 556 m ↑
Studland → Corfe Castle → Studland. Out-and-back across the Purbeck ridge with the castle as turnaround.
Difficulty guide
Beat the Ferry sits at level 3 / 5
- 1EasyFlat, firm paths. Parkland, promenade, compact trail. Road-shoe friendly.
- 2ModerateMixed surfaces. Some trail, light undulation, generally stable underfoot.
- 3ChallengingYou are hereSand, hills, uneven trail. Requires trail shoes and good endurance.
- 4HardSteep climbs, technical sections, exposed terrain. Constant focus needed.
- 5ExtremeBoggy, loose, steep, wild. Slow miles, high effort, full trail commitment.
Respect the trails
Leave them better
✓Stay on the marked course at all times.
✓Close all gates behind you to keep livestock safe.
✓Respect other trail users, wildlife and local residents.
✓Report any damage or issues to a marshal.
✓Bins are available at every aid station — do not drop litter anywhere on the route.
✓If you spot litter on course, pick it up if safe to do so.
Getting there
Find the start line
By car
Ample parking at Knoll Beach Centre (Ferry Rd, Swanage BH19 3AQ) next to Event HQ. Pay for parking on arrival or scan a valid National Trust card. No public parking at Knoll House Hotel unless you're a resident. Car sharing strongly encouraged.
By ferry
Exiting the event: the Sandbanks Chain Ferry runs regularly between Sandbanks and Studland. Check the timetable before you travel.
Accommodation
Stay at Race HQ — Knoll House Hotel
- · Official registration location
- · 5-minute walk to the beach start
- · Ideal for runners travelling from outside Dorset
FAQ
Everything else
Race HQ
What facilities will be available at the start line?+
Toilets at Knoll Beach car park and at Race HQ (Knoll House Hotel). You'll need to pay for parking at Knoll Beach or scan a valid National Trust membership card. Feminine hygiene products are stocked at Race HQ before the race and at the Corfe aid station.
What's at the finish line?+
Cake and refreshments, indoor and outdoor space to relax, medals and baggage storage (clearly labelled, at your own risk) .
On course
How many aid stations?+
5 on the 50k, 3 on the 25k.
Dietary options?+
Proper fuelling all day, including vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Specific requirements: email us well ahead of race day and we'll try to cater.
Toilets?+
At the start and finish, ~6 km in on the South West Coast Path, at the main Life Base in Corfe, and shortly after leaving the Corfe aid station. You'll pass them again on the way back.
Any road crossings?+
Yes. The Ulwell Road crossing is marshalled both out and back. Other minor road crossings are NOT marshalled — runners are responsible for crossing all roads safely.
Gates on the trail?+
Several. Please close every gate behind you.
Is the course marked?+
Yes, fully.
Can I get supplies from friends/family on route?+
No. No personal supplies and no stashing on route. All aid stations are stocked. In hot weather we may add an extra basic water point.
Where can family and friends spectate?+
The start line (50k runners re-pass it after 5k), Corfe Castle (plenty of public car parks — please don't park at the village hall, that's race crew only), Grange Hill car park, and the finish at Knoll Beach car park.
General
Refund / transfer policy?+
Entries are non-refundable. Optional refund cover offered at checkout via a third-party provider. Entries can't be transferred or resold except via our official ticketing partner, Race Space. Name changes: £5 admin fee via the formal process.
What if I need to pull out during the race?+
Drop out at an aid station and hand in your race bib to confirm. Away from an aid station in a medical emergency, phone Race HQ immediately.
Medical support on route?+
Yes.
Are pacers allowed?+
No.
Can I run with my dog?+
No.
What if I can't keep up with the Ferry on the 50k?+
It's just for fun. Run your own race, enjoy the scenery, have a great day out on the trails.
Qualifying standard?+
No. Minimum age is 20 for the 50k and 18 for the 25k.
Is Beat the Ferry 50k suitable for a first ultra?+
Absolutely. Look at the route and elevation profile — if you can cover 5 km in an hour you'll finish inside 10 hours (factor in time at aid stations).
Prizes?+
Yes.
How do I contact you?+
Email hello@eightmile.run for anything we haven't covered.
Not running?
Be a marshal.
We can't run this race without volunteers on the course. Cheer on the runners, hand out cake at a checkpoint, and get sorted through Eightmile's marshal hub.
Entries open soon
Want the
first shout?
2027 entries land in a couple of weeks. Register interest and you'll get the link before the general announcement.
