Camuplodunum Trail Marathon

The Camuplodunum Trail Marathon is a self-navigation trail race circling Colchester, the Essex town known as Camulodunum in Roman times. It begins and ends at Bannatyne Gym & Spa Kingsford Park, covering a distance of 28.6 miles. Participants navigate using a GPX file or written directions, as the course is not fully marked. Checkpoints and stocked aid stations are situated approximately every 10 km. The race commences in the morning, with a 7.5-hour cutoff. Derek Keeble originally devised the route in 1974 as a 25-mile circuit of Colchester’s town boundary. The current iteration retains the concept of a town circuit but extends it beyond marathon distance. It crosses field paths, woodland, a sea wall, prehistoric earthworks, a conservation valley, riverside trails, and urban areas. The event is cupless, requiring runners to provide their own cup at aid stations. The entry option allows for a reduced fee for those forgoing the medal or T-shirt.