Hospice at Home Marathon Course Information
The route will have few specific markers, this ensures that we have the minimum possible impact on what is a beautiful and natural environment. Be advised that the Club’s 22 mile Exe to Axe race will be using marshals and markings running in parallel to this event using only the South West Coast Path.
OS Explorer Maps 115 (Exmouth and Sidmouth) and 116 (Lyme Regis and Bridport) provide more detail. Apart from a loop inland along the river Otter, the route follows the South West Coast Path from Exmouth to Seaton, (sections 44 and 45), with its Acorn logo embossed on all signposts. The simple rule for most of the route is to keep the sea on your right and follow the coast path acorn symbols.
Safety on the South West Coast Path
Keep a safe distance from the edge of the cliff at all times. If the ground is loose or slippery and you feel unsure at any time head inland. The nature of the South West Coast Path means on certain sections you will be close to the edge of the cliff. This represents a ‘significant’ risk and extra care must be taken. You are to make your own dynamic risk assessment.
You are advised to carry a fully charged mobile phone with the ‘What3Words’ app loaded so you can be located in case of an accident.
STAGE ONE: Exmouth to White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton ( 10 miles)
From the start the route follows the promenade all the way to the end, then left up a winding path to the top, then turn right. You will pass by the Geo Needle at Orcombe Point. It is 5 metres tall and marks the start of the World Heritage Site that you are about to run through. The only tricky navigational bit is through the Sandy Bay Holiday Camp. It is signposted but not always where you can see it. Just keep heading East with the sea on your right and skirt left round the Rifle Range which juts out to sea.
Going down into Budleigh Salterton you reach a tarmac path, a short way down you take a right turn, this can be easily missed. Carry on along the Promenade to the Lime Kiln Car Park (beware of traffic, it is a car park) at the Eastern end of the Prom. This is quite an easy stretch but do not get complacent. The route gets tougher as you progress.
On entering the car park keep right around the roundabout (marshal here) and head up the public footpath for a short distance then turn left then right (arrow here). Follow this path beside the restoration project all the way to the car park on South Farm Road. Cross the road to the footpath opposite and continue on it. You will eventually come to a long right hand curve back to the river. Turn left (marshal here) and follow the riverside path. You
may well spot a beaver or two.
Arriving at the main road in Otterton, go under the road (marshal here) and continue to follow the path beside the river on your right. On reaching the next foot bridge, (marshal here) cross over to the other side of the river. Turn right and follow the path back into Otterton.
At the main road turn left and follow the pavement for a short while before crossing the road (marshal here) and heading up Maunders Hill then right into Park Lane (marshal here). Follow this path all the way back to the White Bridge.
Go straight ahead and you will come to aid station 1.
White Bridge. Aid station 1 closes 12:30am
STAGE TWO: White Bridge to Sidmouth (a little over 6 miles with some great views)
Continue along the South West Coast Path and follow all the way to the cliff edge with the river on your right. Turn left. Continue to follow the South West Coast Path to Ladram
Bay. On meeting the road that goes down to the beach you cross over and take the path opposite past the bungalow on your left and in front of the restaurant and swimming pool then start the climb to the top of Peak Hill.
Descending down into Sidmouth from the top of Peak Hill you will enter some woods. Leaving the woods you go down some steps right onto Peak Hill Road, (marshal here) there is a tricky right turn here, take extra care. Please be on the lookout for traffic at this
point.
After a short distance on the road take the tarmac path on your right which leads onto a grass path and shortly afterwards the South West Coast Path sign directs you through a gate onto the grassy slope that gives you a glorious view down into Sidmouth and the hills ahead. At the bottom of the grass turn right down the zig zag path to Jacob’s Ladder beach, go along the walkway under the cliff and along the Esplanade to aid station 2.
Sidmouth. Aid station 2 closes 2.15pm
STAGE THREE: Sidmouth to Branscombe Mouth (a little over 6 miles and where it starts to get serious)
Leaving the check point, cross over the footbridge and up the zig-zag path to the road. Go straight ahead up Cliff Road to the top, follow it around to the left. At the junction go to the right and up Laskey’s Lane to the top. Turn right along the path then left into
the field and go up.
As you descend towards Salcombe Mouth you will see the way up ahead of you. You will come across a sign to Salcombe Beach, DO NOT take those steps down. Head up the field in front of you. Once you start the descent to Weston Mouth beach the path leads you through a wooded area. At the junction turn right and go down, DO NOT GO STRAIGHT AHEAD. Carry on down to the beach, turn left and go along it for 15 metres. Go up the steps, into the field and carry on up to the right hand corner, then up some more steps to the top, turn right, go through the gate then follow the South West Coast Path.
Branscombe Beach. Aid station 3 closes 4pm
STAGE FOUR: Branscombe Mouth to Seaton (a little over 4 miles)
Go over the little bridge and turn right into the field. Head straight up the field to the right hand corner and a lovely set of steps awaits you. Follow the South West Coast Path to the Lookout Tower, here keep right and follow the South West Coast Path beside the cliff.
Turn right down into Beer. At the bottom of the hill bear right crossing the slipway to the beach and past the toilets on the left, it is well signposted with the Acorn and by now you are nearly there. Take a right turn as you come down the steps onto Beer Hill Road. Down to the bottom of the hill and then it is a left and left again, almost a U-turn into the Old Beer Road. Follow the road up and just round the corner is the path up through the woods on your right. At the top you come onto the new Beer Road. Turn right. Continue briefly up Beer Road and then it is a nice downhill towards Seaton. It sounds complicated, it’s not. By now you will
be very tired so pay attention so you don’t add any unnecessary distance.
Coming down the road into Seaton look out for a sharp right turn, down a passage just before Wessiters on your left,(marshal here) that will take you to the Esplanade. The final stretch along the esplanade is around 1000 metres to the finish line at the Axe Yacht Club.
Finish. Aid station 4 closes 5:30pm
Got a question?
If you require further information about the race, please don’t hesitate to send a message to the Race Organisers.