We have decided to take a year out from our events but will return in 2024. For further details, please read our full announcement.
Starting at sunset and running through the night, our races follow the Norfolk Coast Path, passing through the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Sunrise: 83 miles from Snettisham, Norfolk
Half Sunrise: 45 miles from Cley-next-the-sea, Norfolk
Both races finish at The Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and will be run under race permit 4618, granted by the TRA, following UKA rules for competition.
The Norfolk Coast Path runs for 83 miles from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea, travelling through the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A stunning journey in its own right but we have added a couple of twists.
Firstly these events take place in mid-December. While Norfolk may not seem that remote, when the north winds blow it comes directly from the North Pole, and with the flat and open terrain, conditions could be challenging.
Secondly, the events will be run during the hours of darkness. As the sun sets in the west, you will be set off from the start in Snettisham. How far can you get before the sun rises in the east just over 16 hours later? For the speedier runners amongst you, can you reach the finish 83 miles away by The Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth?
Support is provided along the route but is kept to a minimum, to minimise the environmental impact of the race, avoid disturbing locals sleeping in their beds and to add to the running adventure.
Please note that runners own crew will be banned from the course between the hours of 22:00 and 07:00.
A full indoor checkpoint is provided at roughly halfway, in Cley-next-the-sea. Here you will have access to a drop bag and also be provided with warm food and drink. Further indoor checkpoints are also provided at Overstrand and Sea Palling (no drop bag), along with additional mobile checkpoints. The mobile checkpoints may be unmanned and limited to cold water and snacks, so pack accordingly.
For those that don’t fancy the full Sunrise experience, we offer the Half Sunrise. This starts from the “halfway” checkpoint at Cley-next-the-sea at 22:30 and follows the same route to the finish in Great Yarmouth, some 45 miles away. Both events provide an exhilarating pre-Christmas challenge and a great way to end the year.
Starting at sunset outside the Sailing Club at Snettisham, The Sunrise heads north towards Hunstanton. From here it turns eastwards, joining the Norfolk Coast Path, which it follows (with a few diversions for safety and environmental reasons) all the way to the finish 83 miles / 133 kilometres away, at Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth.
The Half Sunrise starts in the pretty village of Cley-next-the-sea and follows the Norfolk Coast Path eastwards, also finishing at Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth, covering a total distance of 45 miles / 72 kilometres.
Cley-next-the-sea also marks the first major checkpoint on the full Sunrise, where runners will be able to access a drop bag, take shelter and get warm food and drink. Additional indoor checkpoints are also provided at Overstrand and Sea Palling, which are accessible by both races (no drop-bag).
Additional mobile checkpoints will be set up along the route but these will be outside and may be unmanned, so will only provide cold water and simple snacks. Competitors are therefore expected to be self-sufficient for the majority of the race and pack accordingly for a winter ultra marathon.
Both events will be run under race permit 4618, granted by the TRA and will also run under UKA rules for competition.
Starting at sunset outside the Sailing Club in Snettisham, the route first runs north along the shore of The Wash to Hunstanton, before picking up The Norfolk Coastal Path eastwards towards the finish at The Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth, some 83 miles away. Can you beat the sun and arrive before dawn? Don’t worry if not, as you have until sunset Sunday to complete your journey.
Sat 13:00 TBC
Buses depart Great Yarmouth to start
Sat 14:00 – 15:15
Race registration at start (Snettisham)
Sat 15:00
Race briefing
Sat 15:40 aprox
Race start (sunset)
Sun 01:30
Cut-off at Cley checkpoint
Sun 05:00
Cut-off at Overstrand checkpoint
Sun 07:55 aprox
Sunrise at finish
Sun 11:00
Cut-off at Sea Palling checkpoint
Sun 16:00 aprox
Finish closes
Starting at 22:30 in Cley-next-the-sea, you follow the same course as the Full Sunset eastwards towards the finish at The Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth, some 45 miles away. Could you also beat the sun and arrive before dawn? Don’t worry if not, as you have fifteen hours or until 13:30 Sunday to complete your journey.
Sat 19:30 TBC
Buses Depart Great Yarmouth to Start
Sat 20:00 – 21:45
Race Registration at Start (Cley)
Sat 21:45
Race Briefing
Sat 22:30
Race Start
Sun 07:55 aprox
Sunrise at finish
Sun 13:30
Finish closes
Darkside Running Ltd. 18 The Beach, Snettisham, Norfolk, PE31 7RB