Campsites near the Isle of Wight Marathon, Cowes

The route

It is a single lap on open town and country roads. The course leaves Cowes through Gurnard, Rew Street, Porchfield and Shalfleet to Yarmouth, then comes back through Thorley, Chessell, Ningwood and Northwood to finish in Cowes. The organisers say plainly that it is not flat: it rolls all the way round, and many runners find the second half harder than they expected.

Water only is handed out at about 3.5 mile intervals, at 3.6, 6.4, 9.7, 12.8, 16, 18.6, 21.6 and 24.5 miles. There are no race toilets on the course, but runners may use Chessell Pottery Cafe at 14.5 miles, Porchfield Cricket Club at 21.6 miles and the Travellers Joy pub at 25 miles. The time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes, about 15 minutes a mile.

Entry, registration and kit

For 2027, online entry is £27 for affiliated club runners and £30 unaffiliated, plus a booking fee. Entries close at 23:59 on 30 September 2027. You may be able to enter on the day for £30 or £33, by card or cash, but only if the race has not sold out.

Registration opens at 9am at race HQ, where you collect your number and timing chip. There are changing rooms, showers and bag storage, so you can check out of your campsite in the morning and leave your bag at HQ. There is limited free parking at the venue and free street parking nearby.

Getting to race HQ

Southern Vectis route 1 between Cowes and Newport stops right by the Community Club, at the stop called Cowes IW Community Club, and runs about every 10 minutes in the daytime. It also serves Northwood and stops at the Somerton park and ride on Newport Road. The Red Jet from Southampton lands in West Cowes, and route 1 runs from there to HQ. See campsites near the Red Jet and the East Cowes car ferry.

Wightlink gives entrants half-price travel on its ferries over the race weekend, with details sent when you enter. Red Funnel runs the Southampton crossings into Cowes and East Cowes.

Where runners stay

For a pitch in October, look at Waverley Park in East Cowes, which is open all year and about 2 km from HQ via the Floating Bridge. Glamping is easier: the Ark Park is open until the end of October and Tiny Homes Holidays all year, both a short drive south of Cowes. Thorness Bay stays open into November and sits close to the Porchfield stretch of the course. See all campsites in Cowes.