The Maverick Dark Castle 2026 - Friday

The Maverick Dark Castle is a Friday trail race starting from Corfe Castle in Dorset. Runners depart near one of the most dramatic ruin sites in the Purbeck Hills. This is the event's fourth edition, part of Maverick Race’s trail series held in countryside locations across Britain, offering multiple route lengths for participants to select their desired challenge. The route provides a close view of the Corfe Castle ruins, which overlook the village and occupy a pass between Swanage and Wareham. The castle, constructed by William the Conqueror to oversee passage through the Purbeck Hills, stands on a site with earlier defenses. Evidence suggests possible Roman military activity and a 9th-century wooden palisade predated the Normans. The event accommodates mixed abilities, from novice trail runners to experienced endurance athletes, united by the goal of running on countryside trails rather than roads.