Wild Night Running

The Southwest Coast Path is a trail runners' playground! The natural terrain, secluded combes, wooded valleys, dramatic coastline and open moorland, make for a fantastic landscape to immerse yourself in and enjoy a genuinely wild running experience. ›

Words by Channel Events

Whatever your trail running needs, there is something for you. The rugged and beautiful Southwest Coast Path from Combe Martin to Minehead is stunningly wild and remote and under cover of darkness creates the Northern border to Europe's first Dark Skies Reserve, where you be spellbound by the night sky. Exmoor National Park was designated Europe's first Dark Skies reserve, so what better place to experience the thrill of trail running than at night.

Whether it's a swift 5km to an ultra-marathon, you can plan the adventure that suits you! For many, running happens when the days are longest, the weather friendly, and in the daylight hours, but don't hibernate your running this winter, get out there and explore this fantastic landscape after dark and throw yourself into a new world of adventure. So why run after dark?

There are many reasons and benefits to hitting the trails after nightfall. Firstly, you'll find the trails much quieter, with the majority of other trail users sticking to daylight hours. You'll see and hear a variety of wildlife, some of which are nocturnal, so your only chance to see them would be post sundown. With the reduced number of other trail users and the quieter roads at this time of day, you'll find yourself immersed in a surreal environment where your senses are heightened. The sounds of the birds in the trees, the rivers raging through the valleys and the wind in the trees will mean you can leave your headphones behind and listen to nature's very own playlist. >

With the only visibility coming from the light of your head torch, you'll find your running improves as you gain more confidence. You'll relax in the environment and deal with the technicality of the trail as it unfolds in front of you. Do I need any specialist equipment? If you are already an experienced trail runner, you'll have most of the required equipment. If not, then you'll need a good pair of trail shoes with suitable tread to give you grip, a wind/waterproof top, appropriate running clothing for the weather and the lower temperatures at night. It's worth carrying fluids, snacks, a mobile phone, a map (paper or electronic) hat and gloves, a basic first aid kit and an emergency thermal blanket/survival bag. You may not carry all of this on your daytime runs, but you need to be mindful that you are entering a remote environment where meeting others will be unlikely should you get into trouble.

The most essential piece of equipment is a head torch with a minimum of 300 lumens of power. If you are serious about running at night, do your research and purchase a good quality headtorch with good battery life. If rechargeable, make sure it's fully charged every run; if it takes batteries make sure you carry spares. The last thing you want is to be mid-run, in the middle of nowhere and lose your only light source. A headtorch is highly recommended over a chest torch or handheld as the beam of light will shine in the direction you are looking, making route finding much more manageable and keeping your hands free. What safety considerations do I need to think about? Never run alone; make sure you have a buddy or buddies to run with. Even in the current Coronavirus situation, you can still keep socially distant and enjoy a run with others.

Make sure someone at home knows where you are running and what time to expect you home. If you have a phone signal, communicate to those at home when you start your run and finish. Your route should have public access or permission from the landowner.

Be equipped for the run you have planned, taking into account the length, the terrain, the remoteness and the weather.

Know how many are in your group and regularly check that all members are present and ok. What next?

You'll have seen the fantastic pictures in print and online, and you may have the confidence to explore yourself, and that's awesome. If you and your running buddies don't have the confidence to head out into the wilds of the coast path on your own, then there are many ways to gain the experience and confidence to enjoy trail running at night. Join a club and head out with the groups that night run, employ a coach/ guide to take you out and develop your skills, enter your local night running events or a combination of these. >

If you are interested in night running events, then check out Channel Events. They are a local CIf you are interested in night running events, then check out Channel Events. They are a local Community Interest Company based in Minehead, the 'gateway to Exmoor'. They have a passion for the Coast Path and exposing more people to its beauty through mass participation event experiences. They organise the Dark Skies Series of 5km and 10km night trail running events, three of which use the Southwest Coast Path along the Somerset and North Devon coast and another using the England Coast Path at Brean. Three of the Dark Skies Series events are based on the SWCP at stunning venues like Heddon's Mouth, Selworthy Beacon and Baggy Point, but you may also be interested in the others that head a little inland? Check out the other events at Fyne Court on the Quantock Hills, Watersmeet near Lynmouth, Longrun Meadow in Taunton and Brean Down in North Somerset.

Grab those trail shoes, strap on your head torch and run wild after dark! Channel Events are an Exmoor National Park Partner and at the forefront of what they do lies in minimising the environmental impact of their events. This is achieved through sustainable initiatives like re-useable signage, compostable products and reduced carbon footprint. It's not about racing but about great experiences in great locations through challenge and participation. Interested? Check them out at channelevents.co.uk and get your entry in today. So, what are you waiting for? Grab those trail shoes, strap on that head torch and turn your trail running into a year-round passion.

Dark Skies Series Dates:

Selworthy Stargazer, Minehead – 18th December 2021 Storm the Fort, Brean Down – 22nd January 2022 Assault of Baggy Point, Croyde – 12th February 2022 Waters Meet, Lynmouth – 12th March 2022 One Fyne Night, Broomfield – 19th April 2022 Moonlit Meadow Run, Taunton – 29th October 2022 Heddon Howler, Heddon Valley – 19th November 2022 Individual Event Ticket Price - £19.50 Somerset Mini Series (4 events) - £70.00 Devon Mini Series (3 events) - £52.50 Whole Series (7 events) - £122.50 Follow the Channel Events on Instagram @channeleventsuk

The SW Coast path is an excellent training ground for runners and hill walkers. The North Coast in particular has a huge amount of elevation and technical terrain to test even a seasoned Mountain athlete. I and many others have found that the trails of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset are tough enough to prepare us for racing at a National level in the Mountains of Snowdonia, the Lake District, Scotland and beyond.

- Dan Murdoch, lfracombe Running Club

EVERY DAY. EVERY TRAIL.