Five Rivers Ultra
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Trail Running Along the East Anglian Coast
The Five Rivers Ultra is a point-to-point trail event that follows the coastline of Suffolk and Essex. The course traverses the Dedham Vale and the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The terrain consists of approximately 85% soft dirt trails and is relatively flat, circumnavigating five coastal estuaries: the Stour, Orwell, Deben, Butley, and Ore/Alde.
Participants can choose from three distinct distances:
- 100 miles: A continuous route starting at Blaxhall Village Hall and finishing in Harwich. It has a 32-hour time limit.
- 50 miles: Starting from Trimley Memorial Hall with a 24-hour time limit.
- 50 km: Starting from Shotley Village Hall with a 9-hour time limit.
The event is open to both runners and walkers. While the route follows established footpaths such as the Suffolk Coast Path and the Essex Way, participants are responsible for their own navigation using a map, compass, or GPS unit. For the 50 km distance and the latter stages of the longer races, the course is marked.
Specific entry requirements apply: participants must be at least 20 years old. Those entering the 100-mile race must have completed a 50-mile trail event within the previous twelve months, while 50-mile entrants must have completed at least 25 miles. All competitors are provided with a GPS tracker for safety and live tracking. Support includes multiple checkpoints with snacks and drinks, as well as indoor stations where participants can access drop bags and hot food. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
