THE BLACKDOWN BEAST 2024
Race Hq is Skydive Centre on Dunkeswell Airfield (EX14 4LG, W3W:verbs.marbles.incorrect)
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The Blackdown Beast is a very social, self-navigated run. Runners follow a picturesque cross country route of 7.6 miles on seldom used footpaths to Smeatharpe. Here they enjoy a pasty and mulled wine at Smeatharpe Village Hall as a reward for their hard work. The next leg of the run is 2.8 miles on lanes and country paths which drops down to the village of Upottery and the Sidmouth Arms which will provide more sustenance to the runners. The 10 mile option finishes here. Minibus transport will be provided to take the 10 milers back to Dunkeswell, BUT please select the 10 mile option on the entry from. The 16 milers then take the road to Rawridge. Here they will turn on to the country, cross the river Otter and climb to the top of the ridge to the viewpoint above Luppitt for a spectacular panorama of the surrounding countryside before running the remainder of the 3.3 miles to the Luppitt Village Hall for hopefully another refreshment stop (TBC) where you need cash. The last 2.7 mile leg of the day takes you across country over Luppitt Common back to Dunkeswell Airport for a well earned drink and food at the Aviation Cafe. Cash and card payments are accepted. Sorry but to keep the farmers happy no dogs are allowed on the route.
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Raising money
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Map of full route. 10 Mile option stops at Upottery.
Elevation profile of 16 mile route
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Photos of 2024 Beast
Sidmouth RC at the start
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Honiton RC at the start
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Enjoying the pasties
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Axe Valley out in force
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Comments from runners
Terry Oldham: A big thank you to you and all at Honiton RC for another well organised Beast. I am a regular attendee over many years and the Beast is one of my favourite events (along with the Beauty of course).
Care Lankester: Thanks for the planning. Pasties were delicious, I had Gluten Free. Coffee and homemade biscuits were also delicious at Luppitt!
Alice Driscoll: Just sinking into a hot bath to ease the aching limbs! Fabulous event, great fun. But tough with lots of hills (always up, it seemed) and some formidable mud! Thanks for organising. Really enjoyed it.
Kerry Board: Thank you for yet another wonderfully hilly and muddy Blackdown Beast. Really good atmosphere with fellow runners and organisers. Thank you for organising such a great fundraiser.
Vanessa Andrews: Thanks Roger and everyone else involved in making today possible. My first Beast, but hopefully it won’t be my last. Never had a pasty during a run before, but I could get used to that! Also thought the drawing pins were a genius idea. Great route, everyone very friendly, and the pit stops were right where we needed them. Will definitely investigate the Beauty.
Eleanor Wood: Thank you to the team for organising this fabulous event. It is fantastic to really enjoy the scenery and camaraderie in a run taking away the silly competitiveness of must runs.. Loved it thanks.
Alexa Baker: Thank you and HRC for another well organised event and you raised a terrific amount of money raised too. It was the first time for the majority of us from Sidmouth RC to run the whole distance.A very enjoyable event, made all the more so raising money for a great charity. It was demanding, a good run for time on your legs and a test of map reading/following pins skills.
Jeremy Slade: Apologies that my reply is somewhat belated, but I just wanted to echo the feedback that you have had from some of my fellow Axe Valley Runners. Saturday was another great day out in the Blackdown Hills, the course has a bit of everything - stunning views, varied terrain and a great atmosphere. So thank you once again to you and all of the team involved in putting on another great event.
Care Lankester: Thanks for the planning. Pasties were delicious, I had Gluten Free. Coffee and homemade biscuits were also delicious at Luppitt!
Alice Driscoll: Just sinking into a hot bath to ease the aching limbs! Fabulous event, great fun. But tough with lots of hills (always up, it seemed) and some formidable mud! Thanks for organising. Really enjoyed it.
Kerry Board: Thank you for yet another wonderfully hilly and muddy Blackdown Beast. Really good atmosphere with fellow runners and organisers. Thank you for organising such a great fundraiser.
Vanessa Andrews: Thanks Roger and everyone else involved in making today possible. My first Beast, but hopefully it won’t be my last. Never had a pasty during a run before, but I could get used to that! Also thought the drawing pins were a genius idea. Great route, everyone very friendly, and the pit stops were right where we needed them. Will definitely investigate the Beauty.
Eleanor Wood: Thank you to the team for organising this fabulous event. It is fantastic to really enjoy the scenery and camaraderie in a run taking away the silly competitiveness of must runs.. Loved it thanks.
Alexa Baker: Thank you and HRC for another well organised event and you raised a terrific amount of money raised too. It was the first time for the majority of us from Sidmouth RC to run the whole distance.A very enjoyable event, made all the more so raising money for a great charity. It was demanding, a good run for time on your legs and a test of map reading/following pins skills.
Jeremy Slade: Apologies that my reply is somewhat belated, but I just wanted to echo the feedback that you have had from some of my fellow Axe Valley Runners. Saturday was another great day out in the Blackdown Hills, the course has a bit of everything - stunning views, varied terrain and a great atmosphere. So thank you once again to you and all of the team involved in putting on another great event.
End of leg 2 in Upottery
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Some Flanci” ladies
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