Beacon to Beach
18th April 2027 – 10:00 Start
Entry Fee: From £21
The Legend Returns:
After a six-year hiatus, the wait is finally over. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the iconic Beacon to Beach trail running event is returning to the rugged heart of West Somerset!
Taking the baton from the previous organisers is a huge honour for us. We know how much this race means to the local community, and we are committed to bringing it back with the same spirit and energy that made it a favourite but bringing it into the modern era. This year, the stakes are even higher as the race becomes a cornerstone of the inaugural West Somerset Running Festival.
🏁 The Challenge: From Moor to Sea
Prepare for a breathtaking 10km multi-terrain route that showcases the very best of Exmoor’s coastline.
The Start: You’ll begin atop the majestic Selworthy Beacon, offering panoramic views across the Bristol Channel and Exmoor National Park.
The Descent: From the heights of the beacon, you’ll navigate technical trails, woodland paths, and sweeping descents.
The Finish: Feel the sand beneath your feet as you sprint to the finish line on Minehead Beach.
📅 Event Details
Date: Sunday, 18th April 2027
Adult 10km Trail Run: Starts at 10:00
Children’s Team Relay: Starts at 10:15
Location: Start at Selworthy Beacon / Finish at Minehead Beach
🏃 One Weekend, Two Epic Races
Why stop at one? Beacon to Beach is now part of the West Somerset Running Festival. Make it a weekend to remember by joining us for Steaming to the Coast or Minehead Parkrun on Saturday, 17th April, before tackling the Beacon on Sunday.
Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner looking for an adventure or a young team ready to take on the relay, we can’t wait to see you at the start line.
Dust off your trail shoes, the Beacon and the Beach are calling! ⛰️🏖️
Will you be on the start line?
Everything you need to know:
DATE
18th April 2027
LOCATION
Event HQ: The Adventure Centre, Warren Road, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG
TIMINGS
Registration – 07:45 – 08:15
10km Run Brief – 09:55
10km Run Starts – 10:00
Youth Relay Brief – 10:10
Youth Relay Starts – 10:15
DISTANCE
10.3km linear (A to B) route for seniors. 16+
10.3km Youth Relays for 8 – 16 year olds. Youth relay broken down into 5 legs.
Leg 1 is 3km, leg 2 is 2km, leg 3 is 2km, leg 4 is 2km and leg 5 is 1.3km. Each leg will have 5m feather flags clearly marking the start and finish of each leg. You’ll need to carefully select which leg each of your team members completes. A supervising adult must run with the children taking part. This could be one adult that completes the whole route or 5 adults who run a leg each also! Adult supervisors do not need to enter, they are simply there as pastoral care.
COURSE
Full course details are available via our downloads page.
ROUTE MAP
PRICE
Adult 10km – £21.00 per person + booking fee.
Adult 10km Finishers Medal (optional) – £7.00
Youth Relay Team – £25 (includes 5 youth medals)
Finishers medals for the adult 10km are an optional extra to help us minimise waste. If you’d like a medal for your efforts, book at least 8 days in advance.
Please note that all adult entries will help subsidise the youth relays and also allow free team entries for local schools.
Entries close on the 9th April 2027 at 23:59
REGISTRATION
Registration will be open between 07:45 – 08:15. All entrants will need to be signed in by 08:15 to allow time to be shuttled by bus to the start.
BRIEFING
This will be delivered as part of the final details email that will come out 1 week and 2 days before the event. There will be a short final reminder safety briefing on the start line just before the each race starts.
SAFETY
The event takes place during the spring and therefore all entrants must ensure that they have appropriate clothing, equipment and hydration for the weather conditions. The route will be way marked and we will be using black arrows on a bright yellow background and bright yellow flags as markers to make it easier for them to be seen.
We also strongly advise that trail running shoes are worn. Sections of the route are more technical than others but the additional grip of a trail shoe is required.
Runners aged 8 – 16 must run with a supervising adult who’s sight of them at all times.
16-17 year olds can run solo in the adult 10km race with parental consent. Unfortunately our insurance doesn’t allow under 8 to take part.
DOGS
I’m afraid that at this stage dogs are not allowed to compete. They are very welcome to join the spectators but MUST be kept under close control.
FIRST AID
There will be trained first aiders on site and around the route throughout the event. Apex Medical and Rescue along with Channel Events trained marshals make up the first aid team.
Please alert a marshal should you or a fellow runner require assistance or call the emergency mobile number printed on your race number.
EQUIPMENT
The event takes place during the Spring and therefore all entrants must ensure that they have appropriate clothing and hydration for the weather conditions.
The route will be way marked and we will be using black arrows on a bright yellow background and bright yellow flags as markers to make it easier for them to be seen.
We also strongly advise that trail running shoes are worn. Sections of the route are more technical than others but the additional grip of a trail shoe is required.
Don’t forget to bring your own drinking vessel. We are now cupless but drinking water will be available at each of the relay leg start/finish areas. You can purchase a collapsible running cup from registration which you can reuse time and time again.
PARKING
Please park in the public car parks within Minehead and on Minehead Seafront. If you are local, please consider walking or cycling to the event HQ to ease the pressure on the car parks and benefit the environment.
REFRESHMENTS
Really Wild Coffee will be in place at the start area for you to purchase beverages and food to fuel your run and the various food and beverage outlets in Minehead will be open by the time you finish to refuel.
WATER
There will be water available at the event hub, at each of the legs start areas and at the finish line. Please bring a drinking vessel as we are now cupless as part of our eco ethos.
You can purchase a collapsible running cup from registration which you can reuse time and time again.
TOILETS
Toilets will be available at the event HQ, at the main start area and public toilets are available on Minehead Seafront.
WEATHER
The event takes place during the spring but unfortunately we cannot control the weather. Please do make sure that you are wearing appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and the time of year. We are of course hoping to have a lovely warm spring morning.
PHOTOS
The awesome Rubery family from Image Works will be onsite taking pictures of you all enjoying yourselves. Photos will be available to purchase shortly after the event with all profits going to Exmoor Search and Rescue Team.
When searching for your images you’ll be able to search by bib number, selfie or a prominent word written on your race jersey!
Don’t forget your best smile!
FINISH
We want to see you celebrate in style as you cross the finish line on Minehead Beach.
There will be a camera linked to a laser to automatically take your finish photo! Don’t forget to smile and get those arms raised, stopping your watch can wait a few seconds!
Once you’ve finished, don’t forget to check back in with the team at event HQ to collect your medal if you’ve opted to have one.
Beacon to Beach Gallery
FAQs
Can I borrow equipment?
Unfortunately not, you will need to provide your own running clothing, trail running trainers and other associated equipment.
Can under 18’s take part?
Runners aged 8 – 16 must run with a supervising adult who’s sight of them at all times. 16-17 year olds can run solo with parental consent. Unfortunately our insurance doesn’t allow under 8’s to take part.
Will by bib number be posted to me?
No, you’ll collect your bib number on the morning of the event when you come and register at event HQ.
Can I run with my dog?
I’m afraid that at this stage dogs are not allowed to compete. Some of the paths are narrow and dogs on leads would be a a big safety concern.
They are very welcome to join the spectators but MUST be kept under close control.
How does the youth relay work?
Enter a team of 5 youth runners, each runner completes one leg. There are 5 legs that break up the whole 10.3km Beacon to Beach route. Leg 1 is 3km, leg 2 is 2km, leg 3 is 2km, leg 4 is 2km and leg 5 is 1.3km. Each leg will have 5m feather flags clearly marking the start and finish of each leg. You’ll need to carefully select which leg each of your team members completes. A supervising adult must run with the children taking part. This could be one adult that completes the whole route or 5 adults who run a leg each also! Adult supervisors do not need to enter, they are simply there as pastoral care.
How do I get to the start?
We will be laying on shuttle buses working with the local schools and bus companies to transport all runners (and supervising adult runners) to the main start and the relay leg starts. It’s a linear route that starts at Bossington Hill Car Park and finishes on Minehead beach.
Spectators will need to make their own way to the start but we ask that you car share to minimise traffic on the narrow country roads