11 May 2024 starting at 2:00am
The route is a simple as possible, with only five intermediate controls. It follows mostly quiet rural roads. Note the 2am start time.
Starting from Honiton, it follows the old A30 through Exeter all the way to Okehampton where a controller will be waiting to stamp your card. Leaving the town via North St, it follows the B3217 through Exbourne, Iddesleigh and High Bickington before briefly joining the A377 towards Barnstaple and another cafe control. From Barnstaple the route heads East on old roads through Swimbridge to South Molton, then joins the B3227, the old North Devon road, to Wiveliscombe. It's a free control here. Leaving 'Wivvy' the route goes through Halse and Bishops Lydeard then over the Quantocks, through Bridgwater, and on to Cheddar. From there, heading due South on lanes across the Somerset Levels via Wedmore, Westhay and Langport, you cross the A303 to a final control near South Petherton. Finally, heading West again, you'll go through Ilminster to join the A30 through Yarcombe, and eventually the old coach road to Honiton and the finish..
(Read Rob Simmons' account of the event here)
The controls
Okehampton. The control is in the town centre. The controller will be by the traffic lights just past the church. Note there there is a garage & services before Okehampton, just before the flyover, after Sticklepath.
Barnstaple. Costas opens at 7am. Otherwise you can detour 1.5km to the 24hr McDonalds on Eastern Avenue (EX32 8PB).
Wiveliscombe. Free control. Co-op store and cafe in the town. Some will be open depending on your time of arrival.
Cheddar. Riverside Inn has food and drink, it opens at 10am. Otherwise use any shop or cafe in the town.
South Petherton. 24hr garage with food and drink. You can also find provisions at Ilminster, a few miles further on.
The finish. There will be food and drink at the finish as usual.
Routesheet download updated 06.04.2024
PARENTAL CONSENT is required for entrants under 18 years of age. See the entry form for details.