New to the UK ultra calendar from 2022, we take full advantage of the Dedham Vale and Suffolk Coast & Heaths Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route offers a relatively flat course through unspoilt countryside with sparkling estuary waters nearly always in view. More than 85% of the route is on soft dirt trail. Conditions underfoot are typically good, here in one of Britain's driest regions.

The race starts in historic Harwich, the original seaport home of the Mayflower ship and its Master, Christopher Jones. Our inaugural event followed on closely from the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower's departure from Plymouth to America in September 1620. We hope the pioneering spirit of that long journey into the unknown will inspire our own modern-day adventurers!

A continuous point-to-point race along the Essex & Suffolk coast, linking together sections of several well-established and waymarked long distance footpaths. The full 103 mile route ('5RU') circumnavigates 5 coastal estuaries. The 71 mile option ('4RU') bypasses the first estuary (the Stour) via a short ferry crossing from Harwich to Shotley, but thereafter shares the remainder of the full route. The 51 mile option ('3RU') bypasses the first two estuaries via a short ferry crossing from Harwich to Felixstowe and shares the last 48 miles of the full route.

For updates on the Five Rivers Ultra, please sign up here:

Starting on the Harwich Esplanade close to Low Lighthouse, the race route quickly leaves behind the urban coastal strip and escapes into the beautiful unspoilt countryside that surrounds the vast majority of the five Essex and Suffolk Coastal Estuaries that define the structure of the route. Over 85% of the race route follows waymarked dirt or grass trails. Of the remainder, the majority follows very minor tarmac lanes, with just a few short sections of more major road, and for completeness a few short stretches of energy-sapping shingle and sand to negotiate as well!

Stour Estuary: the route follows the Essex Way west for 15 miles to Lawford Church, before heading north on a connecting footpath across the riverside meadows to reach Flatford Mill in the heart of 'Constable Country'. Here the route crosses the river and turns back east, first via the Stour Valley Path and then via the Stour and Orwell Walk, to arrive at the  north side of the Stour Estuary mouth at Shotley Gate. (32.5 miles so far).

Orwell Estuary: the route continues along the Stour and Orwell Walk, heading north, then north-west up the estuary to reach and then cross the mighty Orwell Bridge via a dedicated footway  (protected by a barrier from the road traffic). The route continues south-east along the Stour and Orwell Walk as far as Loompit Lake, after which it heads inland to the major checkpoint at Trimley St Martin Memorial Hall. (52 miles so far).

Deben Estuary: from Trimley, the route follows a mix of quiet roads and farm tracks east for 3 miles before reaching the shores of the Deben and turning north along the river bank footpath. After following the riverside path through Woodbridge and Melton, the route crosses the river and passes the famous Sutton Hoo burial mounds before rejoining another riverside footpath heading back south along the Deben to reach the Ramsholt Arms riverside pub. (74 miles so far).

Ore Estuary to Butley: from Ramsholt the route heads east for 4 miles via country lanes and footpaths to reach the Suffolk Coast, where it turns north-east along the Suffolk Coast Path, passing through Shingle Street before following the course of the Ore and Butley estuaries, then deviating briefly to visit the major checkpoint at Butley Oyster Inn. (87 miles so far).

Alde Estuary to Blaxhall: from Butley the route briefly re-joins the Suffolk Coast Path on the approach to Chillesford. At Chillesford it splits off again, taking a footpath south-east through Sudbourne Park to reach Orford. From Orford, the route follows the raised bank of the Ore/Alde river for more than 6 miles before skirting round the Iken Marshes on the final approach to the finish line at the Blaxhall Ship Inn. (103 miles completed).

May 6, 2023

SCHEDULE

Fri 16:00 - 21:00 & Sat 06:00 - 07:00
Event registration at start (Harwich)

Sat 07:30
Race briefing

Sat 08:00
Race start

Sun 16:00
Finish closes

May 6, 2023

SCHEDULE

Fri 16:00 - 21:00 & Sat 06:00 - 07:00
Event registration at start (Harwich)

Sat 07:30
Race briefing

Sat 08:30
Ferry departs to Shotley

Sat 09:00
Race start

Sun 16:00
Finish closes

May 6, 2023

SCHEDULE

Fri 16:00 - 21:00 & Sat 06:00 - 07:00
Event registration at start (Harwich)

Sat 08:30
Race briefing

Sat 09:00
Ferry departs to Felixstowe

Sat 09:30
Short coach transfer to start line

Sat 10.00
Race start

Sun 16:00
Finish closes

For updates on the Five Rivers Ultra, please sign up here: