The Sydling/Giant’s Head Marathon is now well established as a first class “extreme” marathon. Each year places are filled within an hour of opening registration. The partnership between Sydling village and the organisers, White Star Running, has been one of friendship and co-operation and on Marathon Day the atmosphere is buzzing, starting with early breakfast for the hundreds of runners and campers, followed by the race start at 08.30 on the village green. After running for hours up hill and down dale, around the famous Cerne Abbas Giant, the participants arrive back to a BBQ lunch, beer tent and enormous ice creams, followed by an evening barn dance and supper.
On Sunday it’s the Bell Race (for all ages). A fun warm up then run up the hill onto the ridge, perform a forfeit, get a cow bell and ring it all the way back down!
Every year, top of the list of marathon visitors comments is Sydling’s friendly, enthusiastic welcome.
