Jurassic Coast Challenge 2027

15th -16th MAY 2027

Support your local hospital

Take on this spectacular World Heritage coastline walk, jog, or run and raise funds for Dorset County Hospital Charity. Every step you take makes a difference for your local hospital.

We are supporting teams to sign up and raise money for our Emergency Department and Critical Care appeal. We have already raised £2.1m of our £2.5m target and need your help with the final push!

Alternatively, participants can support a ward or department that is especially close to their heart. Whatever your connection to Dorset County Hospital, your fundraising can make a lasting difference.

Join over 3000 challengers heading out from basecamp by Corfe Castle on eight different distance options from 100km to 10km. There’s a challenge for everyone and every ability.

 Walk, Jog, or Run
Corfe Castle – Bridport
 100km, 75km, 50km, Marathon, 25 km
10 Mile (Weymouth), 10K (Bridport)

Camping

Transfers

Parking

Food & Drink

Why raise for Dorset County Hospital?

  1. Make a measurable impact – Support important enhancements to our new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit and directly benefit your local community. Or, raise funds for a Ward or Department that is close to your heart.
  2. Engage your team – Sign up your workplace as a team. Boost morale and teamwork through fundraising, volunteering, and events.
  3. Challenge yourself – Set yourself a goal, whether it’s a distance, a training program, or a funding target.
  4. Join a community – Become part of the DCH Charity fundraising community and meet likeminded people.

Perks

  • Registration fee paid for if you hit your fundraising target
  • Complimentary DCH Charity pack including t-shirt
  • Social Media promotion of your JustGiving fundraiser
  • Access to our exclusive fundraisers Facebook group
  • 20% discount at Great Western Camping

Your Challenge, Your Way!

Whether you’re a walker and new to challenge events, an experienced trekker, a marathon enthusiast upping the distance, or a seasoned trail runner out for a sharp time – there’s an Ultra Challenge® for you!  Walk, Jog, or Run as an Individual or a Team, and fundraise for your favourite charity.

There’s an Ultra Trailblazerz® for ambitious runners, and an Ultra March® option for ‘hasty hikers’ – plus a friendly ‘Solo Challenger’ start time to join up with others. An Ultra Challenge® will be fun, friendly, safe, & rewarding – with full support all the way, enabling you to push yourself further in wonderful scenery.

Check out which challenge is for you…

From the new start in Corfe Castle – 100 km, at your pace, through the day & night if you’re walking.

Corfe Castle > Bridport

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start – Corfe Castle, Nr. Wareham
  • 100 km & ~2300m climb
  • Finish – Bridport, Dorset

There’s also the ULTRA MARCH®category for walkers aiming to do 100 km in less than 24 hours (or 50 km in under 12 hrs).

AND – ULTRA TRAILBLAZERZ® for ambitious runners.

100 km over 2 days, with optional camping packages at half way (Weymouth) – or book a hotel / B&B (there’re many in Weymouth) – and rest!

Day 1 – Corfe Castle > Weymouth 

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start – Corfe Castle
  • 58 km & ~1700m climb
  • Finish – Lodmoor, Weymouth
  • Optional camping package
 

Day 2 – Weymouth > Bridport

  • Sunday 16 May 2027
  • Start – Weymouth
  • 42 km & ~600m climb
  • Finish – Bridport, Dorset

Corfe Castle > Bridport

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start – Corfe Castle
  • 76km & ~1800m climb
  • Finish – Bridport

Note – this can also be done over 2 days (with camping option at Weymouth)

A scenic & tough ‘half’ Challenge – the best of the Jurassic Coast.

Corfe Castle > Weymouth

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start – Corfe Castle, nr. Wareham
  • 58 km & ~1700m climb
  • Finish – Weymouth
  • Optional Camping at Weymouth

There’s also the ULTRA MARCH®category for walkers aiming to do 100 km in less than 24 hours (or 50 km in under 12 hrs).

AND – ULTRA TRAILBLAZERZ® for ambitious runners.

A 42 km ‘marathon’ distance along varied Jurassic coast scenery.

Weymouth > Bridport

  • Saturday 15 May join a Full Challenger anytime or join Sunday 16 May 2027
  • Start – Weymouth
  • 42 km & ~600m elevation
  • Finish line – Bridport
  • Optional camping at Weymouth (pre challenge)

A NEW looped marathon route from / back to Weymouth – along the best of the Jurassic Coast route (same price as a ‘Half Challenge’)

Weymouth > Weymouth

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start – Weymouth, Dorset.
  • 42 km & ~1100 m elevation.
  • Finish line – Weymouth, Dorset
  • Optional camping at Weymouth

A great loop down to sea-side Swanage, along the coast, and back up to Corfe (different venue to start)

Corfe Castle > Corfe Castle

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start- Corfe castle, nr Wareham,
  • 25 km & ~570 m elevation
  • Finish line – Corfe Castle (Church Knowle – different venue)
  • Transfers back to main start venue & station

Classic Jurassic – with Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door – and a tough one at 34km with a few hills – but ever so rewarding!

Corfe Castle > Weymouth

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start – Corfe Castle, Nr Wareham, Dorset.
  • 34 km & ~1110 m elevation
  • Finish line – Weymouth.
  • Optional camping at Weymouth (after)
  • Optional camping at Corfe (prior)

A NEW looped 10 mile route staring & finishing at our basecamp in Lodmoor. 

Weymouth > Weymouth

  • Saturday 15 May 2027
  • Start – Weymouth, Dorset.
  • 10 miles & ~350m elevation.
  • Finish line – Weymouth, Dorset
  • Optional camping at Weymouth

Bridport > Bridport

  • Sunday morning 16 May 2027
  • Start line – Bridport, Dorset
  • 10 km loop & ~ 256m ofelevation
  • Finish line – Bridport

Choose how you want to join and sign up via the online Registration Form.

If you wish to fundraise for Dorset County Hospital Charity:

Select: Charity Fundraising (small reg fee with a minimum target)

* A ‘Platform Booking Fee’ of 4% is applied to all event registrations.

DISTANCE – confirm what you’ll take on (eg: 100km / Half 50km / Quarter 25km / 10km etc).

PERSONAL DETAILS – provide info as prompted.

YOUR PACE – confirm how you’ll take part (ie: as Walker / Ultra March /Jogger / Runner / or Trailblazerz).

‘ULTRA MARCH’ & ‘TRAILBLAZERZ’ categories available for 100km & most 50km ‘s (with specific start time for each). Check first if suitable for you!

START TIME – select a provisional slot  (actual start times confirmed 4 weeks prior to the event). Teams – it’s as per the Team Captain’s choice.

SOLO CHALLENGERS – if you sign up & would like to meet others, there’s a ‘Solo Challengers Start Time’ – (select via the Reg Form).

Everyone has to register via a form (ie all team members), as we require personal details, medical info, & declarations.

Within the form you can choose to ‘CREATE’ or ‘JOIN’ a TEAM.

Teams can be of any size; members can opt for the same or different funding options, charities, or distances.

  • Create a Team – you become the Team Captain. You need a Team Name, and a Password for others to join. Then invite friends & family to join you!
  • Others Join the Team as they register, by searching for the Team Name & using the Password
  • Team Start Time – as per selected by Team Captain

How to Join

Sign up by clicking the link below. Select the Blue sign up box, and scroll to the end of the page a click on ‘sign up for another charity’. Then, select your distance (please note we will reimburse your registration fee when you reach your fundraising target). Then enter your details and choose us Dorset County Hospital Charity from the list and submit.

You’ll get a Confirmation Email, which includes a link for you to set up your online JustGiving sponsorship page. You’ll also get access to the ‘Challenge App’ which holds all the details about the event.

If you’re up for a quicker challenge – check out the ULTRA MARCH® option for walkers, and the new TRAILBLAZERZ® category for ambitious runners.

Costs & Fundraising

~100 KM FULL CHALLENGE

~75 KM 3/4 CHALLENGE

25 KM CHALLENGE

50 KM CHALLENGE

10 MILE & 10 KM CHALLENGE

Get involved as a Business

Join our corporate partners and take part in the Jurassic Coast Challenge as a team. You can apply online or reach out to Casey for more information about making us your charity partner.

Team bonding

Corporate social responsibility activities

Employee engagement and retention

“The hospital is a key part of our community; it’s something that all of us living and working in Dorset rely on – and we wanted to do our bit by taking part in the Jurassic Coast Challenge to help raise some funds.”

  • Matt Uren, NFU Mutual Dorchester

Email:
dch.charity@nhs.net
or casey.gregory@nhs.net

Thank you to all our previous Jurassic Coast Challenge participants

Watch our Appeal video

Frequently Asked Questions

Jurassic Coast Challenge requests that you must be 18 or over (on the day of the challenge) if taking on a Full Challenge (~100km) or Three Quarter Challenge (~75km); 16+ and accompanied by an adult if taking on a Half Challenge (~50km ), 14+ and accompanied by an adult if taking on a Quarter Challenge (~25km) or Marathon); for a  Half Marathon aged 12+ and accompanied by an adult; and finally 8+ & accompanied by an adult for a 10km/mile Challenge.

Under 18s taking part must be signed up by someone over 18.

You’ll receive a ‘transaction receipt’ (via email) from Jurassic Coast Challenge, along with a Confirmation Email welcoming you, and detailing any next steps, timelines you need to be aware of, and how & where to find all the info / details you’ll need for your Challenge. (NOTE– If you don’t receive that e mail within 12 hours, please check your spam/junk mail folders)

You can expect to hear from us within 14 days. If for some reason you do not hear from us, please contact us directly at dch.charity@nhs.net.

Jurassic Coast Challenge ensure that registered teams are assigned the same start wave (where distance/challenge option allows), and your team name will be printed onto your bib.

There are no restrictions on regular teams. You can be any mixture of charities / distances / funding types (i.e. Self Funding, Charity Sponsorship or Mixed Funding), and can have any number of members. (even 2).

Even if you are not fundraising for the same charity, you can still create a challenge team.

Whilst you are signing up and registering for your challenge – in the TEAM INFO section of the Jurassic Coast Challenge form (towards the end of the registration questions), you will be asked if you would like to ‘Join a team’ or ‘Create a team’.

If selecting to create a team, you will be asked to create a Team Name and Password. Subsequent team members can then register and select to join your team, and will need to provide the team password in order to join it.

Yes – as long as you are fundraising for the same charity, you can create a team fundraising page on Just Giving (we recommend letting us know this is how you will be fundraising together). However, please be advised that the minimum fundraising targets remain per person (not per team), so you will need to reach the combined total fundraising amount on your page for your group.

If you are entering on a Charity Sponsorship or Mixed Funding place then NO – you must select one prime charity for your fundraising. This is because we will be paying for a portion of your place on the event (out of the fundraising that you generate). If you wish to also fundraise for another charity, you can do so on your own terms but only as long as you reach the minimum fundraising target for your first/prime charity.

If you join as ‘Own Place Charity Fundraising’ however, you have complete flexibility on who you fundraise for with no targets or deadlines.

All sponsorship goes direct to Dorset County Hospital Charity via your online JustGiving page – WHICH YOU MUST SET UP.

Jurassic Coast Challenge states that at least 50% of the ‘sponsorship target’ should be with us 3 weeks prior to the Challenge. At this time we agree to pay a Fee for your place to the Ultra Challenge Organiser (similar to the Self Funding cost – or half of it for Mixed Funding as you’ve already covered half).

Failure to meet the deadline may result in cancellation of your place by your charity.

The remaining 50%, and any extra, should be with us up to 4 weeks after the Challenge.

All charity sponsorship and mixed funding places close 4 weeks before each challenge, so that you have enough time to fundraise and reach your target. Self funding places close for online registration on the Tuesday before each challenge.

Dorset County Hospital is the main provider of acute hospital services to a population of around 300,000, living within Weymouth and Portland, West Dorset, North Dorset and Purbeck.

With housing developments, a growing population, increased tourism and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have never had a higher demand for our emergency and critical care services.

The Emergency Department was built to accommodate 22,000 attendances. In 2025/26 attendances were 60,579, more than twice the amount it was originally built for.

The Critical Care Unit is currently operating under significant constraints including lack of staff and relatives’ facilities, and no capacity for future need.

There is currently insufficient Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit capacity at Dorset County Hospital to meet both current and future demand.

Your donation to this major Appeal will fund important enhancements to the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, making it the very best it can be for patients, staff and loved ones. Specific funding areas are listed below.

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