Runners-next-the-Sea 5-mile Beach Race

Date: 11/01/2026

Location: Holkham Beach

Website: link

This is the fourth Runners-next-the-Sea 5 mile (approx) Beach Race.

The race is entirely on the beach at Holkham. We would like to thank Holkham Estate for their continued support for this race.

Total Race Timing is providing chip timing and an immediate results service.

Updates for the race will be on the Runners-next-the-Sea website, https://www.rnts.co.uk/beachrace our Facebook page and by email through Total Race Timing.

The last event sold out within a few hours, we are holding the entry number at 250. A waiting list will open via the Total Race Timing website when the maximum limit is reached.

Start and Finish Holkham Beach

The race starts and finishes on the Holkham beach close to the boardwalk which links the Lady Anne’s Drive car park and the beach (see section on car parking for location of this car park).

Car parking

There is plenty of car parking at Lady Anne’s Drive car park at Holkham Beach. You can find the car park here

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• Google maps https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lady+Anne’s+Dr+Wells-next-the-Sea/@52.9637573,0.8123896,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x47d775e414f462d5:0x44de147de81e19f1!8m2!3d52.9637541!4d0.8145783

Ordnance Survey maps grid reference TF892445

There is a £3.60 parking charge, (these are 2025 prices and are subject to change). This will allow competitors to park until 12:00pm on the day of the race. Please pay at the meter in the car park and display the ticket in your vehicle alongside the free extension ticket that all runners will be given by a car park marshal at the meter. If you plan to stay beyond 12:00pm you will need to pay the appropriate fee.

There is another car park on the other side of the A149 in Holkham village.

To reduce our carbon footprint we would ask runners to share car journeys if possible.

There will be marshals in the car park directing runners to the start of the run.

Registration

Registration will be in the Lookout Café at the Beach End of Lady Anne’s Drive. Runners can pick up their race number here. Registration will close at 9:30. The race number will have a chip timing ‘tag’ attached to it. Please remember to bring safety pins with you.

Registration will open at 8:45 am and will close at 9:30 am.

Toilets

There are toilets near the start of the boardwalk at the top of Lady Anne’s Drive. They are situated in The Lookout café. There are also toilets in Holkham village opposite the Adnams Shop.

The number of toilets is limited, so we advise runners to get to the start early.

Refreshments

For post race refreshments, The Lookout at the top of Lady Anne’s Drive has a range of hot and cold drinks to purchase.

There are also plenty of places to eat in nearby Wells-next-the-Sea.

Start of the race

There will be a short race briefing in the starting area at 9:55am.This will update the runners with any late changes to the information provided. We will start the race promptly at 10:00am.

The race

The race is approximately 5 miles.

The route is across the amazing National Nature Reserve. The final route will be confirmed with the nature reserve team to ensure it does not disrupt any nesting sites or essential dune work they are carrying out.

In accordance with the Trail Running Association Rules, the minimum age for the race is 16.

The course starts and finishes on the beach at Holkham Gap (about three minutes walk from the Lady Anne’s Drive car park). It heads west behind the sand dunes towards Burnham Overy Staithe. Runners then cross the dune and east along the open beach for about two miles (crossing a shallow channel) before turning back to the finish.

The route will be clearly marked and runners will be supported by plenty of marshals.

The marshals may need to give runners urgent information and instruction, so we ask runners not to wear headphones so they can hear the marshals.

Anyone who is seen littering the course will be disqualified from the race.

Runners must not run with a dog or pushchair.

First Aid

There will be first aid provider at the event in case of any injury.

Please complete the medical and emergency contact information on the back of your race number.

Clothing

As the race is in January we recommend that runners (and spectators) keep updated with the weather forecast and dress appropriately. It’s not always sunny on the beach!

Awards

There will be awards for the following categories

1. First, second and third Male
2. First, second and third Female

Mementos

Every finisher with receive a special memento.

Race Cancellation

If the race is cancelled for any reason a full refund of the cost of the race will be offered to each runner. Any other arrangements made by the runner (e.g. travel or accommodation) are made at the runners risk.

Refunds/race number transfers / waiting list

If a runner cannot make the run we do not offer refunds for the cost of the race or allow runners to defer their entry to a future race. However, a runner can transfer their number to another runner at no cost (other than additional insurance cost for non-affiliated runners) up to seven days prior to the race through Total Race Timing by midnight on the 4th January 2026.

Total Race Timing also has a waiting list available for the race where they will try to allocate a place when told by a runner they are unable to attend. The runner will receive a refund of their entrance fee (minus £2 administration fee).

Race updates

We will  notify runners of any updates (including cancellation) via email, our Facebook page and the Runners-next-the-Sea website. It is the responsibility of each runner to make themselves aware of any updates.

Personal belongings/ bag drop

Weather permitting, we aim to have a dedicated area for runners to drop off a bag. Whilst we will endeavour to keep bags secure we will not be responsible for any loss, damage or theft of any items in this area. We recommend that valuable items are not left in this area.

Entries are non-refundable and unfortunately cannot be deferred but transfers to another runner are available until midnight on 04/01/2026. Login to transfer your entry.