Mendip Aurora
20th March 2027 – 19:25 Start
Entry Fee: From £20.00 + booking fee
Our newest event, the Mendip Aurora night trail run is the first event in the ‘Dark Skies Series’ of three night trail running events across Somerset.
Comprising of 5km and 10km route options, the Mendip Aurora utilises the fantastic grounds of the Mendip Activity Centre near Churchill to deliver a 5km, traffic free course. 2 laps are completed for the 10km.
This course is undulating with some sneaky climbs, but that is part of the fun. Meander your way around Sandford Quarry and the activity centre grounds as you make your way around the course, all under the light of the moon! (Weather dependant) You may even be treated to lovely night time views across to Weston-Super-Mare, the Bristol Channel and South Wales.
Registration will open at 18:15, 10km starts at 19:25 and the 5km starts at 19:30.
Enter the whole 4 event series or just the Mendip Aurora. The choice is yours.
Our bespoke wooden finisher’s medals are available as an optional extra, can you collect all three?
As part of our drive to make our events waste free we have chosen to make the medal an optional extra, those who love their race bling can purchase theirs when entering but this must be at 8 days prior to race day.
2026/27 series dates and locations:
Mendip Aurora – Mendip Activity Centre, Churchill, BS25 5PQ
Moonlit Meadow Run – Longrun Meadow, Taunton – 14th November 2026 (rescheduled from February 2026)
Storm the Fort – Brean Down, Brean – 16th January 2027
Moonlit Meadow Run – Longrun Meadow, Taunton – 6th February 2027
Mendip Aurora – Mendip Activity Centre, Churchill – 20th March 2027
Please note: Online entries to each event close 3 days prior to event day. Medals however, go off sale 8 days before to allow our local supplier time to beautifully hand craft them all.
We are committed to removing waste from the events industry and only order medals from our local supplier for those who have opted to purchase a medal when entering the event. Medal purchases will go off sale 8 days before the event date.
All of our medals are dated with the year, we firmly believe that a medal should be a memento of the event you’ve completed and you’ll never find us giving out the same medals year on year.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support for our social enterprise aims.
Everything you need to know
DATE
20th March 2027
LOCATION
Mendip Activity Centre, Lyncombe Drive, Churchill, North Somerset, BS25 5PQ
TIMINGS
Registration – 18.15 – 19.15
10km Run Brief – 19:20
10km Run Starts – 19.25
5km Run Brief: – 19:30
5km Run Starts – 19:35
DISTANCE
Choice of 5km or 10km routes. 5km Lap, completed twice for the 10km race.
ROUTE MAP/ELEVATION
PRICE
Individual Events – £21.00 per person
Whole Dark Skies Series – £80.00 per person
Medal £7.00
+ a small booking fee
Entries close on Wednesday 17th March 2027 at 23:59
COURSE
Full course details are available via our downloads page.
REGISTRATION
Registration will be open between 18.15 – 19.15. All entrants will need to be signed in by 19.15.
EQUIPMENT
These events are taking place in the winter months and therefore all entrants must ensure that they have appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. All runners are required to wear a head or chest torch with at least 250 lumens of power – those who do not have a head or chest torch on the night will not be allowed to enter. Check out Taunton Leisure to order yours.
We also strongly advise that trail running shoes are worn at all of the events. Some routes are more technical than others but all include sections of trail where the additional grip of a trail shoe is required.
BRIEFING
This will be delivered as part of the final details email that will come out 2 days before the event. There will be a short final reminder safety briefing on the start lines just before the first race starts.
SAFETY
The events take place during the winter month and therefore all entrants must ensure that they have appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. All runners are required to wear a head or chest torch with at least 250 lumens of power – those who do not have a head or chest torch on the night will not be allowed to take part. Check out our friends at Taunton Leisure to order yours. The route will be way marked and we will be using reflective markers to make it easier for them to be seen.
We also strongly advise that trail running shoes are worn at all of the events. Some routes are more technical than others but all include sections of trail where the additional grip of a trail shoe is required.
Runners under 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.
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 on the route throughout the event. Please alert a marshal should you or a fellow runner require assistance or call the emergency mobile number on your race number.
PARKING
Please park in the Mendip Activity Centre car parks. Please park courteously so we can get you all in. We also ask that you make every effort to car share to minimise the impact on the car parks and the environment.
REFRESHMENTS
The Alpine Lounge Cafe will be open during the event and for a period before and after for you to purchase beverages and food to fuel and refuel.
WATER
There will be water available at the event hub and on the finish line. Please bring a drinking vessel as we are now cupless as part of our eco ethos.
TOILETS
Toilets will be available at the event hub around the main reception and via the Alpine Lounge Cafe.
WEATHER
These events take place during the winter months and unfortunately we cannot control the weather. Please do make sure that you are wearing appropriate clothing for the weather and the time of year. We are of course hoping to have a lovely clear moonlit evening.
FINISH
We want to see you celebrate as you cross the finish line. 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.
Once you’ve finished, don’t forget to check back in with the team and receive your medal if you’ve opted to have one.
Dark Skies Series Gallery
FAQs
Can I borrow equipment?
Unfortunately not, you will need to provide your own head torch (250 lumens minimum), running clothing, trail running trainers and other associated equipment.
Do I have to decide on 5k or 10k now?
There are two ticket options available. Please do select the distance you wish to enter when purchasing your individual or series entry. If you do wish to change your distance on the day then simply inform us at registration. To be included in the series standings you need to compete in the same distance for all seven events.