8ISH MILES | MOSTLY OFF ROAD | STARTS AT 10:30AM | AGES 17+ | RACE MEDAL + PASTY
A CORNISH COASTAL ADVENTURE
Embrace the hills
The Bude Pirate Run is an 8ish-mile multi-terrain race packed with outstanding trails, coastal scenery and plenty of hills.
Starting and finishing on Maer Down at Crooklets, the route brings together coast path, fields, woodland and a couple of short road sections. If the weather has been wet, expect slippery ground, muddy shoes and even bigger smiles at the finish.
THE CLIMB OUT OF DUCKPOOL
See the Pirate Run in action
Get a feel for the coast, the climbs, the mud, the fancy dress and the finish-line atmosphere before you join the crew.
Photo credits go to: Martin Bunning, Chris Pointer, Graham Heard, Ashley Starr, Claire Strong, Colleen Finn
More than just eight miles
Hills, mud and proper trail running
This is a multi-terrain race with character. When the weather has been wet, the route can be slippery, muddy and wonderfully memorable.
Wild Cornish coastline
Sea views, rugged paths and the unmistakable landscape around North Cornwall make every climb worth it.
Pirate spirit
Piratical fancy dress is encouraged, whether you choose a full costume or just add a bandana to your race kit.
Finish-line bounty
Complete the adventure and collect your medal and post-race pasty.
"Great event, tough old course. Well organised and marshaled, lovely atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back next year after a bit more training. Enjoyed the pasty too! " Adam Roy
CHART THE COURSE
Coast path, fields, woodland and hills
The route is mostly off road, with a couple of short road sections. It combines coast path, fields and woodland before returning to the start and finish at Crooklets.
The road section between Coombe and Duckpool and all road crossings remain open to traffic. Marshals will support runners, but competitors remain responsible for crossing safely.
If conditions have been wet, parts of the course may be slippery and muddy. Choose footwear suitable for mixed trail terrain.
Distance: 8ish miles
Surface: mostly off road
Water stations: approximately miles 3 and 6
Start and finish: Maer Down, Crooklets
Elevation profile (approx 1,221 ft)
Secure your place for 8ish miles of big hills, wild coast and pirate spirit.
UKA member
£18
Non-member
£20
Medal + post-race pasty included
AGE 17+
Minimum age on race day
ENTRIES CLOSE
Friday 18 September 2026
ONLINE ENTRY ONLY
No entries on the day
QUICK FACTS:
JOIN THE CREW
Enter the Bude Pirate Run
Only one individual prize is awarded per winner. Overall prize winners are not also eligible for an age-category prize.
View the full age categories
Under 35; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80+.
PIRATE GLORY
Prizes and presentations
Overall
Prizes for the first three male and first three female finishers.
Best-dressed pirate
We will award the best-dressed pirate a worthy prize.
Affiliated teams
First male affiliated team and first female affiliated team, with four runners to count.
New for 2026!
The running club bringing the largest crew to Bude will take home the Pirate Crew Trophy.
Age categories
Male and female age-category prizes from under 35 through to 80+.
Medal and pasty
Every finisher receives a Cornish-made medal and a delicious locally made Pengenna pasty.
Kevin Eldin
"1st timer and really enjoyed the course with great organisation. A real trail running test. Thank you 👍☠️🏴☠️🦜"
Race-day timetable
09.00
Registration opens
Race HQ: Bude Surf Life Saving Club, beside Crooklets Car Park.
Pick up your race number and ankle tag
Please attach the tag securely to your ankle
10.10
Registration closes
Race HQ: Bude Surf Life Saving Club, beside Crooklets Car Park.
Time for that last-minute toilet break
Toilets are located in Crooklets car park
10.20
Make your way to the start
Please aim to walk up to the start/finish line by 10:20am to ensure suitable time.
Walk from the Surf Club to Maer Down following the arrows.
There is no vehicular access to the start.
10.30
Bude Pirate Run starts
From Maer Down.
Time to get your pirate on!
Best of luck to all competitors 🍀
13.00
(ish)
Prize giving & age category awards
Awards inside Bude Surf Life Saving Club, as close to 13:00 as possible.
Race HQ: Bude Surf Life Saving Club, beside Crooklets Car Park.
RACING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Supporting Bude Surf Life Saving Club
A substantial proportion of the money raised by the Bude Pirate Run will be donated to Bude Surf Life Saving Club.
The race utilises the clubhouse at Crooklets as our HQ, making this partnership part of the event itself - not simply a logo at the bottom of the page.
Race HQ, parking and the start
Race HQ and registration
Bude Surf Life Saving Club, Crooklets. Registration is upstairs.
What3Words: ///clouds.carefully.sleeping
Parking
Crooklets Car Park and Rosie's Kitchen Car Park are both chargeable and use postcode EX23 8NF. Crooklets: ///fuse.targeted.discusses
Rosies: ///tilt.riverside.tougher
Start and finish - Maer Down
A short signed walk from registration, with no vehicle access. What3Words
Facilities
Public toilets are available in Crooklets Car Park. Rosie's Kitchen toilets are for customers only. There is no official bag drop because parking is close to registration.
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OUR MAIN SPONSOR
Proudly supported by Crooklets Beach Cafe
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We're delighted to have Crooklets Beach Cafe as the main sponsor of the Bude Pirate Run.
Sitting right beside Crooklets Beach, the family-run cafe is part of the fabric of race day and a perfect place to refuel before or after your coastal adventure.
From breakfasts and hot drinks to burgers, sandwiches, cakes and daily specials, there's plenty on offer for runners, supporters and hungry pirates alike.
A huge thank you to Nick and the team at Crooklets Beach Cafe for supporting the Bude Pirate Run and helping us bring the event to life.
Sports massage with SE Sports Therapy
RACE-DAY RECOVERY
Sophie from SE Sports Therapy will be at the Bude Pirate Run offering pre- and post-race sports massages to runners.
Sophie generously provides this service free of charge. Instead of taking payment, she invites runners to make a voluntary donation to Bude Surf Life Saving Club, helping support the club at the heart of race day.
Massage availability will depend on demand on the day. Sophie aims to be set up by 9:30am, although this is provisional.
Water, rules and course safety
Water and route marking
Water will be supplied at Stowe Barton at approximately mile 3, Sandymouth at approximately mile 6, and at the finish. Orange flags will mark the outward route and blue flags the return from Duckpool.
HEADPHONES
No headphones, including bone-conducting or similar devices. Breaching the series rule may result in disqualification.
DOGS
No dogs. Dogs are not permitted because the race forms part of the Multi Terrain Series.
Timing tags, first aid and withdrawal Wear the ankle tag securely and return it after finishing. If injured or withdrawing, tell a marshal, give your race number and return the tag. First-aid arrangements and emergency contact details will be included in the final 2026 race brief.
Roads and road crossings The route includes road crossings and a road section between Coombe and Duckpool. Marshals cannot stop traffic; runners remain responsible for crossing safely.
Coast-path safety and responsible running Stay on the flagged path, use every marked zigzag, keep inland of the cliff edge, watch for rabbit holes and carry all litter to the finish.
Results and race archive
Provisional results will be added to this page and shared through the Bude Pirate Run Facebook page as soon as possible after the race.
Race results for 2025:
Historic Race Results:
Kindly supported by
Thank you to the organisations, local businesses and volunteers helping to make the Bude Pirate Run possible.
The Bude Pirate Run couldn't go ahead without support from Crooklets Beach Cafe, the National Trust, SE Sports Therapy, Bude Surf Life Saving Club, the race committee and volunteer marshals.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before taking on the Bude Pirate Run.
How far is the Bude Pirate Run? The race is approximately eight miles - or 8ish miles, as we like to call it.
How old do I need to be? You must be 17 or older on race day.
Can I enter on the day? No. Online entries close on Friday 18 September 2026 and there are no entries on the day.
Where and when is registration? Registration will be at Bude Surf Life Saving Club from 9:00am to 10:10am. Any final race-day updates will be included in the 2026 race brief.
Where is the start? The start and finish are on Maer Down, a short signed walk from Race HQ. There is no vehicle access to the start.
Can I swap my entry? You may amend or swap your entry through SiEntries until entries close. No changes or swaps are permitted after closing.
Are refunds or deferrals available? No. The event does not offer refunds or deferrals.
Are headphones allowed? No. This includes bone-conducting and similar headphones. Use may lead to disqualification under the series rules.
Can I run with my dog? No. Dogs are not permitted because the race forms part of the Multi Terrain Series.
How is the route marked? The outward route uses orange flags and the return from Duckpool uses blue flags. Please follow all marked zigzags.
Are there water stations? Water is available at Stowe Barton at approximately mile 3, Sandymouth at approximately mile 6, and at the finish. Carry additional hydration if you expect to need more.
Will the race be chip timed? The race uses ankle timing tags. Wear the tag securely around your ankle and return it after finishing or withdrawing.
What should I do if I withdraw? Tell the nearest marshal, give them your race number and return your timing tag. First-aid and emergency arrangements will be confirmed in the final 2026 race brief.
Is there somewhere to leave a bag? No official bag drop is provided. The car parks are a short walk from registration.
Are toilets available? Public toilets are available at Crooklets Car Park. Rosie's Kitchen toilets are for customers only.
Do I have to wear pirate fancy dress? No, but piratical fancy dress is encouraged. Make sure anything you wear is secure and comfortable for the route.
What pasty choices are available? The current choices are steak, cheese and onion, or vegan. Gluten-free pasties are not available from the current supplier.
Where will results be published? Results will be added to the Bude RATs Pirate Run page and shared through the Bude Pirate Run Facebook page as soon as possible after the race.
