Whether you’re looking to stretch your legs before breakfast, enjoy an easy-going run with the locals, or rack up some exhilarating miles along the beautiful coastal paths, Sark offers something for every runner.
Car-free roads and scenic trails
With Sark’s car-free status comes safety, relaxation, and fresh island air in your lungs.
Choose from leafy, unpaved lanes – which are mostly flat and great for a relaxing, easy jog – or tackle the varying terrains around the trails and cliff paths.
If you’re looking for a new race, Sark also offers a range of unique events, open to the competitively minded as well as those just wanting to try something new, or have fun with friends.
Here are the clubs and events to keep on your running radar.
Sark Running Club
Friendly and open to all, Sark Running Club epitomises Sark life. They meet regularly and enjoy casual runs with great views – and lots of chat for those who want it!
Their weekly programme is as follows, but since nowhere is too far from home, it’s easy to finish when and where it suits you. Sessions are free.
- Monday evening: a one-hour social run, which is typically 4-6 miles. Runners meet at the Island Hall and Community Centre at 6pm.
- Saturday or Sunday morning: a longer run, usually between 6 and 12 miles, depending on the group’s time constraints. The details – including the meeting place and time – is shared on their Facebook page during the week.
Sark Running Club’s annual events
The Sark Running Club also organises two annual events, both with a fun, post-run social.
The Sark 10
Held annually on the last Saturday of the summer half-term, the Sark 10 gives the whole family an opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful runs in the UK. A kids’ race (approximately 2km long) and three options for adults – a 5km or 10-mile run, or an untimed 10-mile walk – are all available on the day, with a barbecue afterwards.
Non-runners can also join in the post-run fun, with all profits from the day going to charity.
More information and the link to enter can be found on the Sark 10 event page.
Image credit (right): Joanne Godwin
The Stones Run
Mixing beautiful scenery with a ‘novel’ twist, the Stones Run is the perfect way to see the island during the winter.
The challenge – starting and finishing at Stocks Hotel – is to pick up four pages from four books, placed at four iconic stones on Sark. You can choose your route and collect them in any order. Individual entrants can expect to run between 9.5 and 10 miles – or you can enter in a team of two or four people.
A hot buffet lunch will be available at Stocks Hotel after the race, as will showers and changing facilities.
When confirmed, this year’s date will be shared on Sark Running Club’s Facebook page.
If you want to stay overnight, Stocks Hotel usually offer a special rate and should be contacted directly.
Sark Triathlon
Organised by the Guernsey Triathlon Club, this unique event is a great way to start the triathlon season. Expect great views, plenty of fun and a friendly welcome.
The race consists of a 250m swim in the harbour, a scenic 8km run along the Sark cliffs and a 14km bike ride.
As this event is usually held in April, wetsuits are mandatory. Other than that, the event has a lot more flexibility than normal triathlons, with participants able to enter as relay teams, or even tandem entries. For an extra challenge, all participants are invited to hire ‘Sark bikes’, and fancy dress is welcome.
Duathlon (run/bike) options are also available.
Sark Shipping and bike hire discounts are often available for this event, so keep a look out when entering.
Make a weekend of it
All Sark running events are timed to enable a day return from Guernsey – but of course if you want to make a weekend of it, there’s plenty to see and do on this beautiful island. Whether you’re getting in some miles, exploring the local eateries, enjoying the gardens or watching the wildlife, there aren’t many places where you can unwind like you can in Sark.
Find out more about Sark and book your trip today.
For further information on running in Sark and making the most of its beautiful scenery, contact the Sark Running Club.
