Norfolk Coastal Trail Marathon and Half Marathon

Date: 19/09/2026

Location: Morston Quay

Runners-next-the-Sea organisers, of the popular annual 5-mile Beach Race at Holkham Beach, are pleased to be hosting the Norfolk Coastal Trail Half and Full Marathons. Again £5.00 from every entry will be going to support The East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Start time of 9.00am for the marathon and 10.30am for the half marathon. We ask that you complete the event by 5.00pm.

Location: Full Marathon start: Holme-next-the-Sea. Half Marathon start: Burnham Overy Staithe.

Website: https://www.rnts.co.uk/coastal/

Entries:  200 full marathon, 300 half marathon.

The Course: The full marathon starts at Holme-next-the-Sea car park, Beach Road, Holme-next-the-Sea, Hunstanton, PE36 6LQ. The half marathon starts in Burnham Overy Staithe, Burnham Overy Village Hall, New Road, Burnham Overy Staithe, Kings Lynn, PE31 8JD. Both routes follow the well-marked Norfolk Coast path. This long-distance path is marked by signs with acorns on. The route is mainly off road. The finish for both distances is at Morston. The route has not been measured by a UKA approved course measurer therefore all distances are approximate.

More information about the route can be found at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddars-way-and-norfolk-coast-path

Race Information: The full marathon will start at 9.00am from Holme-next-the-Sea, the half marathon will start at 10.30am from Burnham Overy Staithe. Transfers will be available up to 2 weeks before the race. Car parking at both Holme-next-the-Sea Beach car park and Morston car park is pay and display. The car park at Burnham Overy playing field is for drop offs only and vehicles must be removed by 11.00am. This gives friends and family adequate time to watch the start of the race. Any vehicles not removed in time will be locked in. The course is not suitable for wheelchairs or dogs to accompany runners. Runners must compete on foot

Transport: Coach transport will be available from the finish location to the start BEFORE the event begins (i.e. leave your car at the finish). Must be booked at the same time as entering. Cost £12

There are cut offs at Burnham Overy for full marathon entrants and Stiffkey for both distances.

Cut off times: Burnham Overy 1.00pm and Stiffkey 3.45pm.

Results details: We use Gun (electronic) timing. There will be timing mats at certain points of the race to track runner’s progress. We will be manually recording your race number at checkpoints/finish for safety reasons. Please ensure your race number is clearly visible to marshals.

Friends/family: Supporters are most welcome at our events; however, no person (except a visually impaired runner’s attendant) may accompany a competitor at any point on the course.

Kit: We ask that all entrants carry enough snacks and drink to get them to the first checkpoints on their routes. There is no mandatory kit, but we ask that you consider carrying an extra layer of clothing in case the weather does deteriorate. The Norfolk coast is very exposed in places. This is a cup less event so please bring your own re-usable cups/bottles for drinks.

There will be marshals at all main road crossings. They WILL NOT be stopping traffic. Safely crossing all roads is your own responsibility. There will be checkpoints stocked with squash, water, sweets, crisps etc along the route. Please have enough fluid with you to reach the first checkpoints. The checkpoints with refreshments will be at:

Full Marathon
Chalkpit Lane, Chosely - 6 miles.
The Windmill, Burnham Overy Staithe - 13 miles
The Lookout Lady Anne’s Holkham (water only, toilets available) - 17 miles
The Sailing Club, Wells-next-the-Sea - 20 miles
Stiffkey Marsh car park - 23 miles

Half Marathon
The Lookout Lady Anne’s Holkham (water only, toilets available) - 4 miles
The Sailing Club, Wells-next-the-Sea - 7 miles
Stiffkey Marsh car park - 10 miles

First aid: First aiders will be present at the Start/Finish and along the course. If you develop medical problems, please alert the nearest marshal and prompt assistance will be provided

Entries: The minimum age on race day will be 18 years old. All finishers will receive a bespoke medal. There will be prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in both Female and Male/Open categories. Medical services on the day will be provided by Challenge First Aid. The event will be licensed by the Trail Runners Association and held under UK Athletics Rules. Permit number Marathon TRA 8102. Permit number, Half Marathon TRA 8101

Entry Fees:
Full Marathon Affiliated entry - £36
Full Marathon Unaffiliated entry - £38
Half Marathon Affiliated entry - £28
Half Marathon Unaffiliated entry - £30

Race Numbers:  Numbers can be posted for an additional £2 or collected on the day at registration. We ask that only entrants enter Burnham Overy Village Hall due to limited space. All supporters are politely asked to wait outside. No dogs are permitted within the village hall.

Entries are non-refundable and unfortunately cannot be deferred but transfers to another runner are available until midnight on 03/09/2026. Login to transfer your entry.