A 22 mile Trail Adventure along the Jurassic Coast!
“…a brute of a race with some outstanding views…”, previously voted one of the best races in the country.
The Exe to Axe is a challenging trail run from Exmouth to Seaton along the South West Coast Path. The race was the brain child of John Perratt, a talented local runner and founder member of the club who you would still see near the front of a race in his 70s. John loved a challenge, which is why he created this race. Thankfully, it’s not only difficult… it’s beautiful!
This year we’re running three events in one:
• The Exe to Axe – the full 22 miles
• The Exe to Sid – the first 11 miles to Sidmouth
• The Sid to Axe – the second and most challenging half from Sidmouth.
Whichever event you choose, you won’t be disappointed. All three are great fun (if you get your fun from a challenge).
Exe to Axe Entries
Online entries only will be available through SiEntries. Entry fee is £34 for the Exe to Axe and £28 for the 1⁄2 distance races. There is a £2 supplement for non-affiliated runners. Optional transport to the start is £10.
Registration & Start
The registration for 2025 (Exe to Axe and Exe to Sid) takes place at Ocean in Exmouth (the same location as 2024). You can pick up your numbers and chip timers* from Ocean any time between 08:30am and 09:50am. There is a dog friendly café in the building that will be open from 08:30am. The registration for the Sid to Axe takes place at the Water Sports Hub. Registration for this event opens at 10:00am.
* Timing chips are only provided for the Exe to Axe and Sid to Axe. For logistics reasons, the Exe to Sid will be manually timed, but every competitor will be listed in the results with their time.
Note: Chip timers are attached using a Velcro strip. Lost timers will incur a £60 fee, so please remember to return them at the end or if withdrawing from the race.
Start Locations and Times
Exe to Axe (Full) and Exe to Sid – 10:00am
The event starts on 6 April 2025 @ 10:00am on the Exmouth Esplanade by Mickey’s Bar & Grill a few minutes walking down the road (about 300m) from the registration. Please make your way to the start to arrive with a few minutes to spare.
Sid to Axe – 11:00am
The event starts on 6 April 2025 @ 11:00am in Sidmouth at the Flag Pole (what2words address ///lunch.clown.shots), opposite the Lifeboat Station on the Esplanade.
Transport Information
Transport can be purchased at a cost of £10 for each of the three race options as follows:
Exe to Axe
Buses leave from the Seaton Coach Park, EX12 2PB (///cabin.strutting.radically) opposite the Tram Station. There is plenty of parking in the Seaton Long Stay Car Park, EX12 2WD (///warp.coasters.riverbank) just up the road.The coaches will leave sharply at 8:30am to ensure you arrive at the registration with sufficient time to collect your numbers and prepare for the start.
Sid to Axe
Buses leave from the Seaton Coach Park, EX12 2PB (///cabin.strutting.radically) opposite the Tram Station. There is plenty of parking in the Seaton Long Stay Car Park, EX12 2WD (///warp.coasters.riverbank) just up the road. The coaches will leave sharply at 9:40am to ensure you arrive at the registration with sufficient time to collect your numbers and prepare for the start.
Exe to Sid
Buses leave from Sidmouth Ham (West) Car Park (///herds.bands.pill) The coaches will leave sharply at 8:40am to ensure you arrive at the registration with sufficient time to collect your numbers and prepare for the start.
The Course
The full course follows the South West Coast Path from Exmouth to Seaton, finishing on the beach by the Axe Valley Yacht Club. The course can be considered as four stages. The Exe to Sid follows the first two stages; the Sid to Axe follows the second two stages.
Cut Offs
The race cut-off is @ 5:30pm. To make this cut-off we have intermediate cut-offs at the aid stations as follows: Budleigh Salterton 12.30am; Sidmouth 2:15pm; and Branscombe 4:00pm. These cut-offs apply to all three races. If you fail to make the cut off time you will be withdrawn from the race. We will then make every effort to get you back to the finish. It is very important that you also return your timing tag to a race official and remove your race number.
Retiring from the Race
It is import we know where everyone is, so if you run into any problems and you need to retire from the race, notify the nearest aid station or call the Race Director (number to be provided closer to race day). If it is a real emergency, please first call 999 and then call the Race Director as soon as it is safe to do so. It is very important that you also return your timing tag to a race official and remove your race number.
If you do have to retire, we will make every effort to get you to your family or your transport as quickly as possible, so really is worth letting us know.
Finish
The Exe to Axe and Sid to Axe finish at the Axe Yacht Club at the Eastern end of Seaton promenade. Please collect your medal as you cross the finish line. There are also awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, 1st 40+, 1st 50+ and 1st 60+ for male and female. We have hand crafted, locally made, slate wall clocks. Awards will be issued at various times, so please check if you quality.
Coffee/Tea and Cakes are for sale at the finish (cash or card). Please inform your supporters.
Course Records:
Men: 2:40:03. Samuel Kelly, Exmouth Harriers. 2021.
Women: 03:04:31. Rosie Evans. 2022.
Aid Stations
The aid stations are in Budleigh Salterton, South Farm, 0.8 miles inland where you turn back to the coast (///surreal.disbanded.dreamers), Sidmouth (//simply.gross.moons) and Branscombe (///friend.salutes.covenants). There will be cups available, but please bring your own cups/bottle if possible to help reduce waste. There are toilets in Budleigh along the sea front and in Sidmouth and Branscombe near the aid stations.
We will have water, orange squash and limited snacks (e.g. jelly babies) at the Budleigh Salterton aid station. The Sidmouth and Branscombe aid stations will provide water, orange squash and coca cola as well as a broader range of snacks such as crisps, apple cake, falafels, rocky road, flapjacks, malt loaf, jelly babies.
Parking
There is ample parking in Seaton near the Tram Station, which is a few hundred metres from the finish. There is also parking in Exmouth, including along the sea front. In Sidmouth there is a range of parking options. The closest parking to the start is Ham (West) Car Park. All parking is paid parking. Credit Cards are accepted as well as the RingGo App.
Fancy a longer distance?
Check out our Sidmouth Hospice at Home Marathon. This race will be run in conjunction with the clubs Exe to Axe race.
Got a question?
If you require further information about the race, please don’t hesitate to send a message to the Race Organisers.