Exe to Axe

This will be the 22nd year of the Exe to Axe. The Exe to Axe is a challenging trail run from Exmouth to Seaton along the Southwest Coast Path. The race was the brain child of John Perratt, a talented local runner who you would still see near the front of a race in his 70s. John loved a challenge, which is why he created this race. Thankfully, it’s not only difficult… it’s beautiful!

This year we’re running three events in one:

• Exe to Axe – the full 22 miles from Exmouth to Seaton
• Exe to Axe Relay – 22 miles in 2, 3 or 4 sections 
• Sid to Axe – the second (and perhaps the prettiest) half from Sidmouth to Seaton

The Exe to Axe can be entered as a solo entry or a relay of 2, 3 or 4 runners. Relay teams must hand-over to the next runner at one of the checkpoints.

Start Locations: The Exe to Axe starts @ 10am opposite Heyday's Restaurant, Exmouth. The Sid to Axe starts @ 11:00am by the Flag Pole in Sidmouth opposite the Lifeboat Station on the Esplanade.

Finish Locations: The Exe to Axe and Sid to Axe finish on the beach in Seaton, opposite the Mariner's Hotel (new from last year).

Registration for 2026 will take place at Sideshore, at the same location as the start. Heydays restaurant will provide shelter from the elements as well as pre-race coffee/snacks, etc.

The Mariner's Hotel is hosting the finish for the second time. This provides a nice finish line environment with a warm place to shelter from inclement weather. It also provides toilets, coffee, cake, sandwiches and the best chips you’ll find anywhere.

The Exe to Axe and Sid to Axe are chip timed; all maps and other information are available on the website, http://www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk.

Check Points: water and snacks available near Budleigh Salterton (///nicer.modes.distract), Sidmouth (///weds.guises.crowned) and Branscombe (///disprove.roofs.widely).

Pre-race Transport: Transport can be purchased for each of the race options as follows:

• Exe to Axe
  Buses leave from the Seaton Coach Park, EX12 2PB (///cabin.strutting.radically) opposite the Tram Station. There is plenty of parking in the Seaton Long Stay Car Park, EX12 2WD (///warp.coasters.riverbank) just up the road. The coaches will leave sharply at 8:30am to ensure you arrive at the registration with sufficient time to collect your numbers and  prepare for the start.
• Sid to Axe
  Buses leave from the Seaton Coach Park, EX12 2PB (///cabin.strutting.radically) opposite the Tram Station. There is plenty of parking in the Seaton Long Stay Car Park, EX12 2WD (///warp.coasters.riverbank) just up the road. The coaches will leave sharply at 9:40am to ensure you arrive at the registration with sufficient time to collect your numbers and  prepare for the start. 

Hand Baggage: Runners baggage can be transported from the start to the finish, if required. 

Restrictions: 

• Must be 18 years or older for the full Exe to Axe, 17 years or older for the Sid to Axe. 
• Runners of 15 years or older can enter a relay team, where 15 year olds are limited to stages of 6 miles or less (Exmouth to Budleigh, Budleigh to Sidmouth and Branscombe to Seaton);  16 year olds can also run the Sidmouth to Branscombe section; 17 year olds can run one or two sections.
• Sorry, no dogs.

Time Limit:  7 hours (6 hours for Sid to Axe)

Cut-off times: Budleigh Salterton 11:45am, Sidmouth 1:20pm, Branscombe 3:50pm, Finish at Seaton 5:00pm.

Running/Trekking Poles: You are welcome to use poles during the event. Should you choose to do so, please be considerate of other runners and users of the foot path as the route includes some narrow sections.

Headphones: Bone conducting headphones are allowed; in ear or over ear headphone are not. If you do choose to wear headphones, don’t let them distract you from the beautiful scenery and the other loverly runners.