Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon – 55 km
A self-navigated 55 km trail ultra through the very best of the Forest of Dean – from the race HQ at Beechenhurst, out to Symonds Yat and the River Wye, up to the Buck Stone and back through deep forest. Four well-stocked aid stations with real food, free race photos, a unique finisher’s medal and a canicross category.
Building up to your first ultra? Try the Symonds Yat Super Looper or the Malvern Hills Trail Half first – or see all our trail running events.
“If I could leave 6 stars I would! This is an absolutely top-level event – stunning scenery, excellent event support, great communication, an excellent race HQ and some decent challenge… And, to my great joy, real food at the checkpoints! Did I mention the FREE photos too?”
Ruth – Forest of Dean Ultra, 10 October 2026
A ‘Proper’ Trail Ultra, Brilliantly Supported
Runners keep telling us it’s one of the best-organised ultras they’ve done – real food, real toilets, friendly crews and photographers all over the course.
Four aid stations
Symonds Yat, Berry Hill Hut, Wenchford and Mallards Pike – water, electrolytes, snacks and real food, including vegan options, with proper toilets at every one.
Medics on the course
Qualified race and medical professionals at every checkpoint, plus a minibus for pick-ups and help.
Free race photos
Event photographer Alun Richardson and team cover the course – every photo is free to download.
Medal and merch
A unique finisher’s medal, free race merchandise and a runner’s speed cup.
Great race HQ
Beechenhurst has a big car park, café from 6 am, proper toilets and plenty for family and friends to do.
Canicross category
Run with your dog – canicross has its own start at 7:55 am and its own results category.
After the finish: sports massages from Hayley and the Huquine Sports Therapy team (£10 for ten minutes, 1:30–6 pm), and quality race T-shirts on sale on the day.
Key Times and Entry
Timetable
| RegistrationFriday 8 October 2027 – helps us on race morning | 4–6 pm |
|---|---|
| RegistrationSaturday 9 October 2027 – please come early | 6–7:20 am |
| Race briefing | 7:40 am |
| Canicross start | 7:55 am |
| Race start | 8:00 am |
| CP3 warningWenchford staff tell you if you need to hurry | 3:00 pm |
| CP4 cut-offMallards Pike – strictly enforced | 4:30 pm |
| Finish cut-off | 6:00 pm |
| Site closes | 7:00 pm |
Entry
£90
£75 + VAT. A percentage of every entry goes to Forestry England to help look after the forest.
- Start and finishBeechenhurst
- Time limit10 hours
- NavigationSelf-navigated GPX
- CategoriesMale, female, canicross
At registration we check your race vest or rucksack for the mandatory kit, and give you your race number. Your car is close to HQ, so there’s no need for a bag drop.
55 km Through the Heart of the Forest
Technical single track, wide forest roads and open stretches by the River Wye. You’ll dive into the deep, dark forest, run open ridges and cross far-reaching countryside, with views out to the Brecon Beacons. The route is a loop with just under 1,300 m of climbing, from 19 m at the river to 279 m at the Buck Stone.
Tap the map to open it full size.
- Start → CP1 Symonds Yat0–10 km · +280 mBeechenhurst out to Symonds Yat, with the trig point and views over the River Wye.
- CP1 → CP2 Berry Hill Hut10–24 km · +470 mThe hardest leg. Down to the river, then the long climb up to the Buck Stone (279 m) and one more punchy climb – with full indoor facilities, hot drinks and food waiting at halfway.
- CP2 → CP3 Wenchford24–37 km · +190 mInto the forest, mostly downhill to Cannop Ponds, then a steady climb.
- CP3 → CP4 Mallards Pike37–45 km · +230 mUndulating, runnable forest tracks with some great viewpoints.
- CP4 → Finish45–55 km · +120 mA lap of Mallards Pike lake, wide tracks trending uphill, then downhill all the way home.
Plan your race
The longest leg is CP1 to CP2 – 14 km including the biggest climb – so carry enough water.
Join the FOD Ultra Strava club – it makes checking your route easier.
Aid Stations, Cut-offs and Race Rules
The four aid stations
| Checkpoint | Km | Facilities | Crew access |
|---|---|---|---|
| CP1 – Symonds Yat | 10 km | Toilets, café (from 8:30 am), big car park | Crew access: Yes |
| CP2 – Berry Hill Hut | 24 km | New for 2027 at halfway – full indoor facilities, toilets, hot drinks and food, plus parking | Crew access: Yes |
| CP3 – Wenchford | 37 km | Toilets, big car park | Crew access: Yes |
| CP4 – Mallards Pike | 45 km | Toilets, café, big car park · cut-off 4:30 pm | Crew access: Yes |
Every aid station has drinks, electrolytes, snacks, food and first aid. Support crews are welcome at all four – but pacers are not allowed.
Cut-offs: CP3 staff warn you at 3 pm that CP4 is 8 km away and closes at 4:30 pm. The CP4 cut-off is strictly enforced and the finish closes at 6 pm. Anyone who misses a cut-off is taken back to HQ by minibus.
The rules
- Follow the race GPX – it’s a self-navigated route. If you go off course, return to the point where you left it.
- Sign yourself in at every aid station by ticking off your race number – the staff won’t do it for you.
- Carry the mandatory kit at all times.
- You have 10 hours to complete the course.
- The top 10 in each category (male, female and canicross) send in their GPX for checking – easiest via the Strava club.
- If you drop out, you must get back to HQ and sign in, so we know you’re safe – the minibus can bring you.
- Do not get eaten by a boar!
Breaking the rules is a DNF unless the race director decides otherwise.
Hints and Tips
An accurate GPX file is provided and you’ll use it to navigate the course. Put it on a smartphone or sports watch – whatever you’re happy with. This is a forest ultra with lots of twists and turns, so following a GPX trail matters – but fear not, it’s easy to do.
Outdooractive is a great free mapping app that follows a GPX file and shows your live location. Here’s how to load a GPX file onto your phone.
First ultra? Read our guide to running your first ultra marathon.
Mandatory kit
- Base layer, plus a mid layer if it’s cold
- The race GPX on your phone or sports watch
- A small battery pack and cable for your phone or watch
- A way to navigate – Outdooractive maps or a GPS device with enough power
- Trail running shoes
- Race vest or rucksack
- Waterproof jacket with taped seams
- Hydration – bottles or bladder, at least 1 litre (1.5–2 litres recommended)
- Survival bag – foil or plastic
- Basic first aid kit – at least one wound dressing and blister plasters
- Whistle
- Head torch
- Nutrition – gels, bars and any food you need
- Mobile phone, fully charged, with the race director’s number saved: 07810 480743
We check your kit at registration. See our full trail running kit list for tips and a printable tick list. We provide plenty of water at the checkpoints – the longest leg is 14 km, from CP1 to CP2.
Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean
Race HQ, the start and the finish are at the fabulous Beechenhurst site – Forestry England, Speech House Road, Coleford GL16 7EJ. Registration is on the top floor, clearly marked with event flags and signs.
There’s plenty of parking, toilets and a café, open from 6 am on race day for hot drinks, bakery items and basic breakfasts (full kitchen from 8 am). Family and friends will find plenty to do.
Parking: £9 for the day, paid on arrival – 30 minutes free if you register on Friday. If you visit the forest often, Forestry England membership (currently £55 a year, covering two cars) gives free parking at all its forest sites.
We’re in partnership with Forestry England, sharing an interest in the forest and in promoting outdoor recreation, health and wellbeing. A percentage of every entry goes to Forestry England to support its work.
What Runners Say
“I’ve raced the Forest of Dean Ultra both this year and last, and I honestly couldn’t fault either event. Dave and his team deliver absolutely flawless organisation, superb aid stations and stunning routes through the forest. You can see how much care goes into these races, and it makes the whole experience a pleasure, even when the legs start disagreeing! As good as it gets when it comes to race events.”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2025 & 2026
“Just completed the first running of the Forest of Dean 55km ultramarathon. Faultless event! Brilliant communication leading up to the race including route GPX for the self navigation event. On the day everything was so well organised with fab marshals and volunteers, well stocked aid stations, amazing location and route. Oh nearly forgot to mention the finish medal (or is it a buckle) , Nice bling!!”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2025
“Forest of Dean Ultra Trail Marathon. Wow, what an epic event. A really varied and picturesque route. Dave and his team were faultless. Great pre-event comms, and very well organised on the day itself. Well stocked aid stations by smiley happy people. Having run Dave’s Malvern Hills Trail Half Marathon a few times I decided to give this a go, and I’m glad I did. My first ever ultra, and it really didn’t disappoint! Even had proper loos on course rather than portaloos – unheard of! I’ll definitely do this event again. Well done Dave and team, you smashed it!!”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2025
“Forest of Dean Ultra – Lovely scenic varied route, and easy enough to navigate, although there were always other runners in sight, and everyone helping each other. Well-stocked feed stations – and a treat to have actual toilets too !!! Great merch and bling and a credit to everyone involved that there were no DNFs. Absolutely recommend this event!!”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2025
“First Ultra. Tough but so well organised and beautiful route… a day later and I can confirm I loved it!!”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2026
“Fab event, beautiful route and the best support crews along the way. Everyone is really rooting for you, plenty of good snacks on trail – you really felt looked after! Thanks Dave and team!”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2026
Loved by First-Timers and Seasoned Ultra Runners
Results, Rankings and Free Race Photos
Every runner gets free race photos from event photographer Alun Richardson and the team. They go up on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and in an online album for anyone not on social media. You can search the full Forest of Dean Ultra results for every finisher’s time, pace and category, and results are also listed on the UTMB index.
2026 photos
Forest of Dean Ultra in Pictures
Forest of Dean Ultra Questions
Book Your Place on the Forest of Dean Ultra
55 km of the finest trails in the Forest of Dean, four well-stocked aid stations, free photos and a medal worth earning. Entry is £90 (£75 + VAT).
Questions?
Dave is happy to help with anything about the race.
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