Dartmoor Marathon returns after 30 years
The return of the iconic and challenging Dartmoor Marathon for the first time in 30 years has been confirmed.
It has been resurrected by well-known runner and coach Dave Chanter and will see competitors tackling steep inclines and declines making it comparable to Snowdonia Marathon. The run will take place on April 12, 2026, giving participants plenty of time to get the date in their diary and train for the gruelling event.
The route will see runners cross the moors taking in some of the UK’s most dramatic scenery within the Dartmoor National Park, including through Merrivale, Dartmoor Prison and Burrator Reservoir. All participants will receive a unique Dartmoor Marathon medal.
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Race director Dave Chanter, of Peter Tavy, has vast marathon experience and has been a seasoned runner for more than 50 years. He founded the Tavistock Run Project and has coached athletes to English Schools Championships level.
Dave said: "It was my decision to bring back the Dartmoor Marathon to the running calendar. I have been looking for the right opportunity to stage it for a number of years and now with the help of many volunteers, communities in and around Tavistock, the Dartmoor National Park and, of course, the support of Flapjackery, the time is right.
“We hope it will become an established event in the marathon calendar and that people will make the trip to the south west to run in absolutely stunning scenery. The Dartmoor Marathon will be an iconic event embracing the beauty of Dartmoor, and being a focus point for Tavistock as it brings the community together to welcome athletes from across the UK.
"A community mile run is planned to run in tandem with Dartmoor Marathon, encouraging both school children and adults to be a part of the celebration. It is hoped that all the local communities along the route will support the event and feel it is part of their village.
"It is a challenging course with 2,600 feet of ascent however what goes up must come down on any point to point course! I would put it alongside the popular Snowdonia Marathon."
Recalling the history of the marathon, Dave said: "It ran for a brief period in the 1980s and like many races at that time was run by such bodies as Rotary Clubs, Round Table and local authorities. My understanding is that logistically the event became too much of a challenge for them as they moved away from staging such events."
The marathon will cover the global standard distance of 26 miles, 385 yards. The route begins on Plymouth Road, turning left into Pixon Lane, then right onto Whitchurch Road, passing the Whitchurch Post Office.
The course continues through the villages, offering multiple opportunities for locals to cheer on the runners, including key points at Pennycomequick, Moorshop, Merrivale, Princetown, and Dousland. The course then leads to Burrator Reservoir, following a clockwise route around the reservoir, before continuing through Walkhampton and Horrabridge and Whitchurch.
The race will finish at the Town Hall in Tavistock. It is hoped to attract around 1,000 runners.
Entries are already open for the 2026 Dartmoor Marathon. There is an early bird offer, valid until April 1, which enables a £10 discount off the £45 entry fee (£47 for unaffiliated runners). For more details, please click here.