About the course

Route description | What to wear | Course map | Elevtion profile

 

Route description

This year's course is as close as possible to 10 miles (in the past it was about 9.5). Like last year, it now starts at the very entrance of the driveway up to the castle, not outside the castle as in previous years.

From the entrance of the driveway, the route continues uphill towards the castle. Just before it reaches the castle, it dog-legs back left and contours the hill for a few hundred yards before emerging at the start of the main downhill track to the river. This is a narrow, long, occaisionally steep section where overtaking can prove tricky. Just remember the sharp left at the bottom!

Ahead lies the new bridge, built after the old one was washed a way by floods several years ago. Watch out for the short climb over the wall just after.

From there on, a mainly flat course winds its way through woods, tracks and paths. At 3 miles you hit the first major hill. It twists and turns so you don't know where the top is; believe me it's a long way - half a mile to be precise. I ran the first section too fast and ended up walking.

Near the top, an unexpected but welcome sharp left takes you back downhill. The track then gets narrower and steeper as it plunges down towards the river before a sweeping bend to the right marks the start of the long haul up the far side of the gorge.

This is the time to dig in and keep going. The hill's not too bad, but your legs are still complaining about the last one. Anyway it's too late to turn round now - you're past the half-way point. Thankfully the sight of a dense conifer forest ahead brings the inevitable steep downhill, back to the river. The front runners will charge down it so you might see a few lying at the bottom. A two mile flat section then leads back along the Teign; beware of the large rocks on the track.

Eventually you reach Fingle Bridge and a water station. Make the most of your refreshment here, cross the river, take a deep breath, apologise in advance to your legs and prepare yourself for the famous Hunters' Path hill back to Drogo.

Don't worry if you walk some of it, most do. But however you choose to propel yourself up the half-mile of unrelenting ascent, you're in for a real treat. Just at the point where you want to give up running for good, the path suddenly flattens out and a stunning view of the Teign Valley provides just the inspiration you need for the final undulating half mile to the finish. A last few steep steps, a skip across the field and the finish line is in sight!

What if the river floods?

In 2005 the river Teign burst its banks and for the first time we had to re-route the course on the day. Essentially this avoided all the flat bits along the river, turned the race into a classic fell race out-and-back, and reduced the distance by about two miles. In the unlikely event that this happens again, the same alternative route will be used. This will delay the start of the race by about 30 minutes, to allow marshalls to re-position.

What to wear

The Drogo is usually quite wet and muddy by early November, so some good grippy multi-terrain trainers are recommended. Some of the faster runners prefer to wear fell shoes, but be aware that long sections along the river can be quite hard and stoney.

As for clothing, the Drogo route is relatively well-sheltered from the elements except for the first and last sections of the course. Even so you are advised to bring a lightweight running jacket with you if you don't like getting cold and wet. Remember to bring some dry clothes with you to change into afterwards. Please note that there are no changing or showering facilities at Drogo.

Spectators are advised to expect typical Dartmoor weather for the time of year. Our advice is to expect the worst. (A wetsuit and snorkel would have been appropriate last year!)

Those not running are encouraged to take one of the guided tours around Castle Drogo. You have about an hour to kill until the first runner returns.