The Big Pilgrimage

15 Mile & Marathon

SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2026

DESCRIPTION

The Big Pilgrimage is a fabulous 15 Mile and Marathon point to point mixed terrain running event, which follows the start of a newly discovered Pilgrim Trail called 'The Old Way'. This ancient trail from Southampton to Canterbury was recently found on Britain's oldest road map, the Gough Map c.1360 and follows beautiful coastal and countryside trails, from Mayflower Park in Southampton ; with the 15 mile course finishing at the medieval ruins of Titchfield Abbey and the Marathon finish line in the beautiful grounds of Boundary Oak School, just outside the village of Wickham.

This event is famous for its unique river crossing! When runners reach Hamble foreshore, they are invited to grab a bag of our yummy BigFeat Pick 'N' Mix sweets, before boarding one of our fleet of vessels for the short boat ride across the Hamble River to Warsash, where they disembark and carry on their run around the coast to Titchfield Haven.

On your way you will pass fabulous pilgrimage landmarks such as Netley Castle, Netley Abbey, The Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park and Titchfield Abbey. Participants will collect a sticker at each one to make a collectable race bib with a difference!

COACH TRANSPORT TO THE START

On the morning of the event, pre booked coach transport will be available to take runners to the the start location at Mayflower Park in Southampton from the finish locations at Titchfield Abbey and Boundary Oak School

TRANSPORT PRICE

Coach to start - £10

* Add this to your booking at time of entry

* Deadline to add transport to booking is 16/08/26

CAR PARKS & COACH PICK UP LOCATIONS

15 MILE COURSE

The Great Barn, Mill Lane, Titchfield, PO15 5RB

* Gates to car park will open at 6:15am

THE GREAT BARN DIRECTIONS

MARATHON COURSE

Boundary Oak School, Roche Court, Wickham Rd, Fareham, PO175BL

* Gates to car park will open at 6:00am

BOUNDARY OAK SCHOOL DIRECTIONS

START TIMES

For runners safety and enjoyment, we will start the event in waves. The pavements are wide out of Mayflower Park, but could not cope with everyone starting together.

MARATHON START TIMES

WAVE 1 - 7:20AM

WAVE 2 - 7:30AM

15 MILE START TIMES

WAVE 1 - 7:50AM

WAVE 2 - 8:00AM

WAVE 2 - 8:10AM

COACH DEPARTURE TIME

MARATHON

ALL WAVES - 6:15AM

15 MILE

WAVE 1 - 6:45AM

WAVE 2 - 6:55AM

WAVE 3 - 7:05AM

START LOCATION

Mayflower Park, Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2AQ

MAYFLOWER PARK DIRECTIONS

FINISH LOCATION

15 MILE

Titchfield Abbey, PO15 5RA

TITCHFIELD ABBEY DIRECTIONS

* There is no car parking at Titchfield Abbey. Please use Great Barn car park.

MARATHON

Boundary Oak School, Roche Court, Wickham Rd, Fareham, PO175BL

BOUNDARY OAK SCHOOL DIRECTIONS

DISTANCE & PRICE

15 Mile - £42

MARATHON - £54

WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CANICROSS ENTRIES AT THIS EVENT

REGISTRATION

Registration will be open from 6:50am

Runners will collect race bibs from the BigFeat HQ Tents at Mayflower Park on day of the event.

MANDATORY KIT

* All runners will be required to carry at least 500ml of fluid with them. Most will have hydration vests but handheld soft flasks will be permitted.

* As weather is changeable, especially in winter, runners are advised to also wear (and carry) appropriate clothing for the conditions.

* We also strongly advise runners to download the GPX file of the route onto a wearable watch or mobile device. Although this is a marked course event, arrows can be tampered with, so a good understanding of the route is advisable.

BAG DROP

A bag drop tent will be available on the day at each start line. Bags will be transported to the finish lines ready to be collected when you finish.

CUT - OFF TIME

15 MILE - Titchfield Abbey by 12:30PM

MARATHON - Boundary Oak School 15:00PM

TREES NOT TEES

We work with the Trees Not Tees organization. Runners can opt to have a tree planted instead of receiving a finishers medal.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO

WHAT YOU GET

* Mixed terrain run

* Incredible views and scenery

* Fully marked course

* Well stocked aid stations

* On course safety & medical support

* Bespoke finishers medal

* Friendly enthusiastic volunteers

* Energetic and fun atmosphere

* On course photographers

* Excellent value for money

* Satisfaction guaranteed

Description supplied by the event organiser.