Running the Endurancelife coastal trail series

On Saturday I ran my third Endurancelife coastal trail run, along the wonderful Dorset coast. Combining tough running with some of the UK’s most beautiful locations – these events are the trail runner’s mecca. Plus you get free jelly babies.

Keen to test your off-road mettle? Sign up for one of Endurancelife’s coastal trail series, most definitely my favourite organised running events. This is trail running at its best and most beautiful – up hills, down cliff paths and through landscapes so stunning you’ll (almost) forget how much your muscles are burning. Last week my running partner-in-crime Pete and I headed south for the Dorset coastal trail run. Rated as ‘extreme’, the route hugs the chalky cliffs and turquoise water of the Jurassic coast, snaking along next to Durdle Door, then inland through green fields and back to beautiful village of Lulworth, nestled in the bay. You also have to climb two of the steepest, most nausea-inducing hills I’ve ever had to face. When we got back I felt very pleased with myself indeed. Then I had some sugar and a little lie down. Pete, on the other hand, was still completely fine – he rocked up with zero training and still managed to come in 9th.

If ‘extreme’ sounds scary, the coastal series also includes equally fun-sounding ‘strenuous’ and ‘severe’ runs in different locations. I’ve run the Exmoor coastal trail run twice. This one is considered the toughest in the series – a stiff climb up to the cliff path takes you along the coast before you cut through the moors and woodland of Exmoor National Park, past wild ponies and yellow gorse, back to the cosy Hunter’s Inn.

As well as being a great way to get out into the outdoors (and/or see how much pain your glutes can take) Endurancelife events are happy, friendly places to be, and fellow runners are a supportive and chatty bunch. I also greatly enjoy getting another running tshirt to add to my ever-growing rainbow of event tees. Next time I swear I’ll brave the half marathon.