Ham & Lyme 50k Autumn Edition Saturday 18th September 2027
9am start
Elevation - 2,638 ft.
ENTER RACE
In a nutshell
The summer edition is by far our most popular event and this was intended to be a one-off special Autumn edition in 2026 but it was enjoyed so much that we are bringing it back for at least one more! People enjoyed the cooler temperatures and the different feel of the landscape with the autumn colours etc. For most this is a highly social and laid back run to the seaside through a slideshow of sublime South-West scenery, following the Liberty Trail – a route based on the journey taken by six villagers in 1685 to join the Monmouth Rebellion. The sharp end of the field is highly competitive on both the male and female side, so if you want a race then be sure you’ll get one! The medals are different for the summer and autumn editions if you like to collect those. This makes a great first ultra due to the laid-back atmosphere, the excellent support and the glorious seaside finish.
COURSE RECORDS
50k
Male: MATT UNDERHILL - 4:05:59 (2026)
Female: CLAIR FRENCH - 4:56:10 (2026)
Ham & Lyme 50k is quite simply the most popular Albion Running event by far. 2026's summer edition will be the 11th one! The route is based on the Liberty Trail, which dates way back to 1685 and the Monmouth Rebellion. It’s likely parts of the route look little different now to how they would have then, which is incredible to think of.
Starting at Ham Hill Country Park, the first mile is pretty much a descent through the woods before a sublime saunter through rolling countryside all the way to the first aid station at Misterton. Some highlights on this first section include the scenic fields the other side of West Chinnock, a giant field leading towards Haselbury Plucknett where flocks of gulls often gather and the scenic countryside leading on to Misterton itself.
The next section has the enchanting Wayford Woods and a palette of colour from the autumn leaves as you approach Winsham, where the second aid station is located.
After this you will pass Forde Abbey, then around an enigmatic reservoir (a chance of some late season butterflies and dragonflies for nature lovers!) before heading through the charming village of Thorncombe and then uphill through a quaint landscape that gives hints of being around the Dorset border. Next is a winding lane that takes you to the foot of the climb up to Lambert’s Castle.
The climb up to Lambert’s is probably the steepest of the whole race, but the views from the top are sublime, and on a clear day this will be your first sighting of the sea during the race. You will descend through the trees and out to the third aid station, after which it’s into the pretty village of Wootton Fitzpaine and then off across some of the loveliest countryside of the whole route. This will eventually take you up another fairly steep climb to the A35 road crossing, where the final aid station will be. The volunteers will see you safely across this busy road and then you descend into a lush forest (path can be slippery after a lot of rain), finally emerging out of the other side after following a winding path and then a long downhill through a field and along to the river Lym, which you follow pretty much to the finish.
You will reach the edge of Lyme Regis (look out for Dippers in the river here) and head through the edge of the town before emerging pretty much at the sea. From the clock tower car park you turn left and head along a walkway until you reach the courtyard beneath the marine theatre where the finish line awaits. As the afternoon goes on quite a decent crowd of supporters gathers here, so if you are not among the very first finishers you should get a superb reception as you come in. After this you can enjoy all Lyme has to offer – fish & chips, ice-cream, a hot or cold drink, a dip in the sea? Whichever of these sounds good.
CUT-OFF TIME
The cut-off time we are setting at around 10 hours for this race in the interest of the volunteers and medical staff, but if you are wanting to catch the bus back to Ham Hill you will need to be confident of finishing before 9 hours.
NUMBER OF AID STATIONS
4. Please note that this is a cupless race so you will need a bottle or two for water and a cup for coke if you want it (All aid stations have water, coke, squash, sandwiches, crisps, fruit, nuts, sweets and a range of other sweet & savoury snacks.)
COURSE MARKINGS
There will be markings (red & white tape with some arrow signs – black arrow on a yellow background) for the entire route, with the exception of the bit over Lambert’s Castle as this has been agreed with the local rangers in previous years but this is not complicated and there will be some extra notes sent out with the race info for this small section. However, it is worth having the gpx file. If you would like to get a copy of this please email albionrunning@hotmail.com
MEDICAL SUPPORT
Professional medics will cover this race – details of who to contact if you require medical support during the race etc. will be provided in the race info, which is sent out a few weeks before the event. As always, if you have a medical emergency and are not in the immediate vicinity of the medics the best thing to do is to call 999.
COACH
Due to parking being at a premium in Lyme there is a coach AFTER the race (for all other events coach transport is before the race) back to the start. There is a £5 charge for this per runner for those who require it – you can confirm your need for the coach when the race info is sent out a few weeks before the race and an invoice will be emailed to you, which can be paid by card or Paypal.
START LOCATION
50k – Ham Hill Country Park, Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, Somerset, TA14 6RW.
FINISH LOCATION
Along from Cobb Gate Car Park, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QD.
PACERS
Pacers are not allowed for this race due to the number of people on the trail.
CREW
There is nothing to stop friends/family meeting you at certain points – it’s not against the rules, but please only meet them at locations with plenty of parking etc. (some good meeting locations will be suggested in the race info nearer the time.) You are allowed to sit in their vehicle but not while it is moving for obvious reasons. Crews must show respect to local residents in terms of parking and show consideration to anyone else who is out for the day. There will be suggested meeting points for crew sent out with the race info based on up-to-date local information at the time.
SUPPORTERS
You are allowed to have supporters come out to cheer you on – as with crews it is crucial that they show respect to local residents in terms of parking and show consideration to anyone else who is out for the day – if this does not happen it can have serious implications for the future of the event.
DROP BAGS
You will be allowed a VERY SMALL drop bag to be taken to the finish if you will need this for any reason but please only if it is absolutely necessary as we can’t have hundreds of these – no large rucksacks or suitcases etc. There will be tags for these at the start on which you should write your race number.
KIT
There is no mandatory kit for this race but these are suggested items that you should consider carrying: -
* Waterproof jacket that you have used in rainy conditions and know will do the job
* Hat and Gloves in case of unseasonably cold weather (possible in Somerset!)
* An additional base layer (this can be lightweight, and it's advisable if it is, as long as it's an additional layer)
* Headtorch with spare batteries in case of late finish
* High viz clothing for night
* Whistle
* Compass
* Mobile phone that is fully charged at start – battery pack if you can get one
* Some Emergency food that you like/water, plus at least one 500ml water bottle to carry with you
* Foil survival blanket in case of emergencies
* Personal first aid kit with plasters, savlon etc.
AWARDS
There will be a trophy for the first male and first female finishers, and all finishers will receive a medal.
By agreeing to take part in this Albion Running Race:
You declare that you will be 18 years or over on the day of the event
You are fully aware of the actual and potential risks in participation in this event
Although the race is organised with a full risk assessment having been carried out, will have medical support and will be carried out with the safety of the runners in mind at all times, you declare that you willl compete in the race entirely at your own risk
To the extent permitted by law, you accept that the organisers and sponsors of the race, or any of their agents, will not be liable for any loss, damage, action, claim, costs or expenses, which may arise in consequence of your participation of the event
AID STATION LOCATIONS
(These were the aid station locations for 2026 - if any change for 2027 it will be mentioned both here and in the race info, which is sent out a few weeks before the event)
CP1 - OLD STAGECOACH INN, MISTERTON (Station Road, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 8AL)
This aid station will be in front of the Old Stagecoach Inn, which is just as you emerge from a footpath close to Crewkerne Train Station
CP2 – POOLE’S LANE, ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, WINSHAM (Poole’s Lane, Winsham, Somerset, TA20 4JB)
This aid station will be at the front of the church as there are no weddings etc. taking place there this year
CP3 - below LAMBERT'S CASTLE, NR. MARSHWOOD (Nr. Marshwood, Dorset, DT6 region)
The aid station is not at the top of Lambert’s Castle but is over the other side when you have crossed over a grass triangle and head along Long Lane past Coney’s Castle car park and on the right-hand side of the road a few hundred yards past here
CP4 - A35 ROAD CROSSING nr. PENN FARM (Penn Farm, Axminster Road, DT6 6BZ)
There is a small parking area on either side of the road. The volunteers will make sure you cross the road safely and will provide some basic refreshments if you need them (water and some basic foodstuffs)
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE OF AID STATIONS FROM THE START
MISTERTON – 9 miles
WINSHAM – 16 miles
LAMBERTS CASTLE – 23 miles
ROAD CROSSING – 28 miles