SATURDAY 16th MAY 2026
In the glorious setting of the privately-owned Flete Estate, Mothecombe, South Devon.
We are hosting a mouth-watering smorgasbord of trail races. Each one being a considerable trail running challenge in its own right.
We have 3 distances to choose from:
- Long Marathon. Almost 29 miles of glorious tracks and trails.
- Long Half-Marathon of 15 miles.
- Watery Woodland Trail of 8.5 miles.
Minimum age for the Woodland Trail is 17 years
Minimum age for the Half Marathon is 18
Minimum age for the Long Marathon is 20 years
The 9th year of Race The Tide will take place on Saturday 16th May 2026.
START – TIMES:
Long Marathon: 09:00
Long Half Marathon & Woodland Trail: 11:30am
The Marathon, Half-Marathon and Woodland Trail will all be digitally timed.
The three routes follow private footpaths, the South West Coast Path, bridle paths, fields, and Woodland. The Marathon incorporates the South West Coast Path on both sides of the estuary including a beach section at Bigbury-on-Sea and a run across the causeway to the privately owned Burgh Island.
The Marathon route takes you to the top of the island before you descend once again to cross the causeway and continue along the South West Coast Path westwards, ascending awesome hills and dropping down to the shoreline time and time again. It’s a rollercoaster. Then you’ll be racing the tide! At Wonwell beach you’ll be crossing the estuary and running towards Mothecombe, then to follow a circular route, continuing along the South West Coast Path for a few miles, then a turn inland through woodland and rolling South Hams farmland, before a return to the Erme estuary and onwards to the finish, high above the Mothecombe shoreline to collect your well-earned Race The Tide finisher’s medal.
LONG MARATHON MAP: RTT Marathon map 2023 (with aid stations
GPX File: RTT 2018 29 miles from Mothecombe (3)
The Half-Marathon is a combination of beautiful woodland and estuarine trails for the first 7 miles before racing the tide at Wonwell Beach. From here the route follows the Coastal Path section, west of Mothecombe and then follows the Marathon route from here to the finish. The total ascent is approximately 613 metres.
LONG HALF MARATHON MAP: RTT Half Marathon map 2023 (with aid stations)
The 8.5-mile Watery Woodland Trail, is primarily a tour of the Flete Estate’s privately owned woodland and estuarine trails. It has just 3 hills at miles 4, 6 and 8. An Aid Station will be situated halfway around the course and you will be racing the tide at mile 7.5. A Race The Tide bespoke event medal will be waiting for you at the finish line, high above the estuary.
WOODLAND TRAIL MAP: RTT Woodland Trail map 2023 (with aid stations)
All 3 races will have a medal for every finisher and a Race The Tide event t-shirt can be purchased via the online entry system at any time up to a fortnight before Raceday.
All races start and finish at Mothecombe (PL8 1LB)
Can you beat the tide?
TRA Race Permit
Race permits provided by the Trail Running Association