Sunset Marathon and Ultra - Darkside Running

2023 EVENTS

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.

Terms & conditions

July 2024 TBC

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.

Races Will Start in

402Days

6Hours

10Mins

36Secs

12th June 2021

Sunset Ultra and Marathon

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.

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UTMB® and ITRA Qualifier Events

Both events will offer ITRA points, and are also qualifying events towards entry into UTMB® races.

GPS Tracking

All athletes will be given a GPS tracker to carry during the race, for safety and also allow your friends and family to follow your progress as you race the sun to the finish in Snettisham

Regular Support

Support is provided along the route, with up to three checkpoints. Runners are expected to be self sufficient between these stops and should carry food and fluid according to the conditions.

Bus Transport

Buses are provided if required to transport all racers from the finish in Snettisham back to the start at Blakeney for the Half Sunset or Wells-next-the-Sea for the Sunset Marathon. This is an option you can select at checkout.

Eco-friendly

We aim to minimise the use of plastic and other non-recyclable materials in our races. For example, race t-shirts will only be available as an additional purchase. Competitors will also be expected to carry their own reusable cup.

Giving Back

We are keen to support the local communities and environment that our races pass through. As a result, a minimum of £1 from every entry will be donated to a coastal charity.

Beautiful route following one of the newest UK national trails

The Route

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Is there a mandatory kit list?

Yes, for safety reasons there is a mandatory set of kit you are required to carry at all times. This will be checked at registration, with further random checks during and at the finish. Failure to produce items will result in disqualification.

Full details on mandatory kit, can be found over on our Sunset Race Kit page.

Are there any entry requirements?

As per UKA rules for races of these distances, you must be a minimum of 20 years old on the date of the Sunset Ultra, or a minimum of 18 years old for Sunset Marathon.

Read our full terms and conditions for further details on our entry requirements

What are the time limits / cut offs?

For the Sunset Ultra you have 9.5 hours to complete the 38 mile journey to Snettisham, with the finish line closing at midnight on Sunday. There are no cut-offs along the route.

For the Sunset Marathon you have 7.5 hours to complete the 26.5 miles, with the finish line also closing at midnight on Sunday. There are no cut-offs along the route.

Is the course marked or is it a self-navigation event?

All Sunset events are self-navigation events along a designated national trail.

This means that aside from some markings we may add around the checkpoints, you will be required to navigate yourself using map, compass and the existing signposts and acorn markers positioned along the route.

The route will be marked from the finish of the Norfolk Coast Path in Hunstanton to the finish line in Snettisham.

While the signs are fairly well placed, familiarity with navigating in the dark using a map and compass is essential, for those that expect to be out after sunset.

What food is available on the course?

A full menu will be published closer to the event itself but expect a small selection of cold simple sweet and savoury snacks at the mobile checkpoints out on the course.

Soup, snacks and drink will be provided for all runners at the finish line.

What if I change my mind?

Details of our refund policy can be found in our terms and conditions but in short we are able to offer some sort of refund up to eight weeks before the race and transfer to another runner up to two weeks before.

Should the events sell-out we will operate a waiting list and can transfer a place for a £10 admin fee.

No transfers are possible two weeks before the race.

Read our full terms and conditions for further details on our refund and transfer policy

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38 miles

Sunset Ultra

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.

Schedule

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

(At least) 26.5 miles

Sunset Marathon

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.