The Drogo 10
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT FOR 2023!!
Consequently, there will be NO on the day entries available.
The Drogo 10 is an exciting and challenging 10 mile (16km) multi-terrain Fell Race (FRA BM) run under FRA regulations and principles (see www.fellrunner.org.uk for details of the core principle of self-sufficiency and self-navigation), Licence No. 2023-8515. The Race starts and finishes at Castle Drogo, taking in views of the stunning Teign Valley, with a total climb in the region of 1760 ft (535m).
This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday 12 November 2023. The 10:30 start will be on the main drive, just before reaching the Castle, with race numbers being collected from Race HQ, near the start/finish, from 09:00.
Parking for the event will be in the normal National Trust car parks for Castle Drogo, and subject to their standard changes (free for NT members), please follow the Marshalls directions. The NT have requested that runners car share where possible as the estate will be open to regular visitors too. Don’t forget to scan your NT membership card in the car park or at reception if you’re a NT member.
There is a maximum entry of 500 runners, bookable through SiEntries, and previous years have sold out several weeks before the event, so get your place booked early!
No dogs, headphones or navigational aids are permitted.
To contain potential transmission of tree related viruses, it is expected that runners will need to pass through foot baths to clean shoes.
Awards will be presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd female and male overall, and for 1st female and male in age categories.
Long Sleeved Technical t-shirts will be available to be purchased with your entry at and extra cost.
SWRR reserve the right to cancel the event should there be high winds forecast for the day of the event, and NT closing the estate. The event will also be subject to potential changes in Covid-19 restrictions.
Half of your entry fee will go to the National Trust in order to support the maintenance of the Castle Drogo Estate.
Thank you to our sponsors, ReBalance Injury Clinic who will also be available on Race Day providing post-race sports massage and injury consultation advice.
Enter Online Results and sponsors from 2022 2022 Results 
Results from 2021 View Results
Results and photos from 2019
Thanks to everyone who ran. Here are the final results; also at Webscorer.
Results and sponsors from 2022 2022 Results Results from 2021 View Results
Results and photos from 2019
Thanks to everyone who ran. Here are the final results; also at Webscorer.
Results and photos from 2018
Photo galleries:
Results from all previous years are here.
The Course
The location of the start/finish area may change slightly due to building works on the castle. The exact routing of the course between miles 4 and 5 may vary slightly due to forestry work. A drink station is available at miles 3 and 8.
From the castle, runners head down the driveway for 600m and across the grass and through the woods on Piddledown Common before descending steeply (take care!) to Sharp Tor and the main downhill track to the river. This is a long, occasionally narrow and steep section where overtaking can prove tricky. Just remember the sharp left at the bottom!
Ahead lies the new bridge, built after the old one was washed a way by floods several years ago. Watch out for the short climb over the wall just after which can be a bit of a bottle-neck.
From there on, a mainly flat course winds its way through woods, tracks and paths. At 3 miles you hit the first major hill. It twists and turns so you don’t know where the top is; believe me it’s a long way – half a mile to be precise. I ran the first section too fast and ended up walking.
Near the top, an unexpected but welcome sharp left takes you back downhill. The track then gets narrower and steeper as it plunges down towards the river before a sweeping bend to the right marks the start of the long haul up the far side of the gorge.
This is the time to dig in and keep going. The hill’s not too bad, but your legs are still complaining about the last one. Anyway it’s too late to turn round now – you’re past the half-way point. Thankfully the sight of a dense conifer forest ahead brings the inevitable steep downhill, back to the river. The front runners will charge down it so you might see a few lying at the bottom. A two mile flat section then leads back along the Teign; beware of the large rocks on the track.
Eventually you reach Fingle Bridge and a water station. Make the most of your refreshment here, cross the river, take a deep breath, apologise in advance to your legs and prepare yourself for the famous Hunters’ Path hill back to Drogo.
Don’t worry if you walk some of it, most do. But however you choose to propel yourself up the half-mile of unrelenting ascent, you’re in for a real treat. Just at the point where you want to give up running for good, the path suddenly flattens out and a stunning view of the Teign Valley provides just the inspiration you need for the final undulating half mile to the finish. A last few steep steps, and a skip across a field take you into a final section of flat woodland before emerging back at the castle and the finish.
What to Wear
The Drogo is usually quite wet and muddy by early November, so some good grippy multi-terrain trainers are recommended. Some of the faster runners prefer to wear fell shoes, but be aware that long sections along the river can be quite hard and stoney.
As for clothing, the Drogo route is relatively well-sheltered from the elements except for the first and last sections of the course. Even so you are advised to bring a lightweight running jacket with you if you don’t like getting cold and wet. Remember to bring some dry clothes with you to change into afterwards. Please note that there are no changing or showering facilities at Drogo.
Spectators are advised to expect typical Dartmoor weather for the time of year. Our advice is to expect the worst.
What if the river floods?
In 2005 the river Teign burst its banks and for the first time we had to re-route the course on the day. Essentially this avoided all the flat bits along the river, turned the race into a classic fell race out-and-back, and reduced the distance by about two miles. In the event that this happens again, the same alternative route will be used, safety considerations permitting. This will delay the start of the race by about 30 minutes, to allow marshalls to re-position.
