Embark on an epic point-to-point running adventure through Hampshire’s coastline and countryside as BigFeat Events presents The Big Pilgrimage on Sunday 23rd August 2026! Following the start of ‘The Old Way’—an ancient pilgrim trail discovered on Britain’s oldest map, the Gough Map (c. 1360)—this unique 15 Mile and Marathon trail event takes runners from Mayflower Park in Southampton through historic landmarks, complete with a memorable boat ride across the Hamble River!
Event Schedule & Timetable
The Big Pilgrimage takes place on Sunday morning, starting from Mayflower Park in Southampton with pre-booked coach transport available from the finish lines:
- Event Date: Sunday 23rd August 2026
- Registration & Pack Pickup: Opens at 6:50 AM at Mayflower Park HQ Tents
- Coach Transport to Start (Pre-booked – £10):
- Marathon Coach Departure: 6:15 AM (from Boundary Oak School)
- 15 Mile Coach Departures: Wave 1 at 6:45 AM | Wave 2 at 6:55 AM | Wave 3 at 7:05 AM (from The Great Barn, Titchfield)
- Race Start Times:
- Marathon Waves: Wave 1 at 7:20 AM | Wave 2 at 7:30 AM
- 15 Mile Waves: Wave 1 at 7:50 AM | Wave 2 at 8:00 AM | Wave 3 at 8:10 AM
- Cut-Off Times: 15 Mile cutoff at 12:30 PM | Marathon cutoff at 3:00 PM
- Start Location: Mayflower Park, Town Quay, Southampton (SO14 2AQ)
Attractions & Event Highlights
A historic trail running experience combining coastal paths, medieval landmarks, and unique event perks:
- Historic ‘Old Way’ Trail: Follows the ancient pilgrim trail discovered on Britain’s oldest road map (the Gough Map c.1360).
- Famous Hamble River Boat Crossing: Runners enjoy a short scenic boat ride across the Hamble River from Hamble foreshore to Warsash.
- BigFeat Pick ‘N’ Mix: Complimentary bag of Pick ‘N’ Mix sweets provided at the Hamble foreshore before boarding the boat.
- Collectible Race Bibs: Collect special stickers as you pass Netley Castle, Netley Abbey, Royal Victoria Country Park Chapel, and Titchfield Abbey.
- Bag Drop Service: Bags dropped at the start line are securely transported to your respective finish line.
- Trees Not Tees Option: Option to plant a tree instead of taking a physical finisher’s medal.
Mandatory Kit & Race Rules
Safety requirements for all participating runners:
- Hydration Capacity: All runners must carry at least 500ml of fluid (hydration vest or handheld soft flask permitted).
- GPX Navigation: Route GPX file download is strongly recommended onto a watch or phone device.
- Canicross: Please note that dogs/canicross entries are not permitted for this event.
Finish Locations & Parking Information
Parking and logistics differ depending on your chosen race distance:
15 Mile Course Parking & Finish
- Finish Location: Titchfield Abbey, Mill Lane, Titchfield (PO15 5RA). Note: No runner parking available at Titchfield Abbey itself.
- Runner Parking & Coach Pickup: The Great Barn, Mill Lane, Titchfield (PO15 5RB). Car park gates open at 6:15 AM.
Marathon Course Parking & Finish
- Finish Location & Parking: Boundary Oak School, Roche Court, Wickham Rd, Fareham (PO17 5BL). Car park gates open at 6:00 AM.
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things to do across the region? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover the latest running events, trail races, outdoor sports, and community challenges near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is The Big Pilgrimage taking place?
- The Big Pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 23rd August 2026. Wave start times begin from 7:20 AM for the Marathon and 7:50 AM for the 15 Mile course.
- Where is the start line located?
- Both the 15 Mile and Marathon races start from Mayflower Park, Town Quay, Southampton (SO14 2AQ).
- Where are the finish lines located?
- The 15 Mile finish line is at Titchfield Abbey (PO15 5RA), and the Marathon finish line is at Boundary Oak School, Wickham Road, Fareham (PO17 5BL).
- How much are race entries?
- Entry for the 15 Mile course is £42.00 and entry for the Marathon is £54.00.
- Is coach transport available back to the start line?
- Yes, pre-booked coach transport from the finish locations to Mayflower Park is available for £10.00 on the morning of the event. The deadline to add coach transport is 16th August 2026.
- What is the Hamble River boat crossing?
- When runners reach the Hamble foreshore, they receive a complimentary bag of BigFeat Pick ‘N’ Mix sweets and board a vessel for a short ferry ride across the Hamble River to Warsash to continue the course.
- Is there mandatory kit required?
- Yes, all runners must carry at least 500ml of fluid. Downloading the route GPX file onto a watch or mobile device is also strongly advised.
- Are dogs or Canicross allowed?
- No, Canicross entries and dogs are strictly not permitted at this event.
- Is baggage transport provided?
- Yes, bag drop tents are available at the start line, and bags will be transported to your respective finish line for collection.
- What are the race cut-off times?
- The 15 Mile cut-off time at Titchfield Abbey is 12:30 PM, and the Marathon cut-off time at Boundary Oak School is 3:00 PM.