We have decided to take a year out from our events but will return in 2024. For further details, please read our full announcement.
Both the Sunset Ultra and Marathon follow a stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path, passing through the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), racing the sunset to the finish.
Sunset Ultra: 35 miles from Blakeney, Norfolk
Sunset Marathon: (At least) 26.5 miles from Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk
Both races finish on Snettisham Beach, Norfolk and will be run under race permit 4619, 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). Following the success of our winter Sunrise Ultramarathons along this course, we have decided to put on the summer equivalent and the Sunset Ultra and Marathon were born!
Unlike their winter cousins which run during the hours of darkness, all Sunset events start during daylight hours, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful Norfolk coastline in all its glory. Support is provided along the route but is kept to a minimum, to minimise the environmental impact of the race and to add to the running adventure. Both events are also self-navigated, with minimal additional signage added to the course.
Our Sunset Ultra starts from the Quayside at Blakeney at 14:30 and follows the Norfolk Coast Path to the finish on Snettisham Beach, some 35 miles away. Can you reach the finish line before the sun sets over The Wash?
Sunset Marathon starts at 16:30 on the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea, you run westwards, joining the Norfolk Coast Path at Holkham Gap and onto the finish at Snettisham Beach. You have 4 hours and 49 minutes to beat the sunset, can you make it? Don’t worry if not, as you have until midnight to reach the finishline.
The Sunset Ultra starts in the pretty village of Blakeney and follows the Norfolk Coast Path westwards, also finishing on Snettisham Beach, covering a total distance of 35 miles / 56 kilometres.
The Sunset Marathon. Starting from the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea, this follows the beach around to Holkham Gap, where it joins the Norfolk Coastal Path. This also finishes on Snettisham Beach, at least 26.5 miles / 42.5 kilometres away.
Both events are self-navigated, with minimal additional signage added to the course. Competitors are therefore expected to have familiarised themselves with the route prior to the event and carry a map to navigate during the event.
Mobile checkpoints will be set up along the route but these will be outside and 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.
Both events will be run under race permit 4619, granted by the TRA and will also run under UKA rules for competition.
Starting at 14:30 on the quayside at Blakeney, you follow the Norfolk Coast Path westwards towards the finish at Snettisham Beach, some 35 miles away. Can you also beat the sun and arrive before sunset at 21:19? Don’t worry if not, as you have 9.5 hours or until midnight Sunday to complete your journey.
Sat 11:45
Buses depart Snettisham to Start
Sat 13:00 – 14:30
Race Registration at Start (Blakeney)
Sat 14:30
Race Start
Sun 21:19
Sunset at finish
Sun 00:00
Finish closes
Starting at 16:30 on the beach at Wells-next-the-sea, you head west towards Holkham Gap, where you join the Norfolk Coast Path and follow the same course as the Full and Half Sunset towards the finish on Snettisham Beach, just over 26.5 miles away. Can you also beat the sunset at 21:19? Don’t worry if not, as you have 7.5 hours or until midnight Sunday to complete your journey.
Sat 14:15
Buses depart Snettisham to Start
Sat 15:00 – 16:30
Race Registration at Start (Wells)
Sat 16:30
Race Start
Sat 21:19
Sunset at finish
Sun 00:00
Finish closes
Darkside Running Ltd. 18 The Beach, Snettisham, Norfolk, PE31 7RB