New Forest Marathon 14 September 2025
Having had summer weather to train for this, run a PB at Goodwood GP Marathon in February and the ABP Southampton Marathon in an under 5 hours despite the hills, I had high hopes that I would finally break my bucket list 4hours 30 minutes running the New Forest marathon; especially as I was also on target to complete the 2025 miles in 2025 Race the Distance. Having had a fall and suffered a seriously sprained and swollen ankle during the Maverick South Downs marathon in June for most of July and August I had still managed to get my runs in.
As race day approached the weather forecast got worse by the day. Parking was in a grass field! I worried I may not get out of it as the half-marathoners would be finished and gone before me and churn it all up.
There is an extensive race village set up in a field with entertainment for the finishers and supporters. Not much fun for either in the rain.
We gathered for the ubiquitous race briefing which seemed to go on for ages, well past the start time as we all stood in the freezing drizzle. For the first time, I ran the second half of the marathon in heavy rain, requiring wearing a waterproof coat. The course is gravel path mostly which by and large got flooded and muddy in parts. This is not a flat marathon but the hilly bits are manageable.
It is an amazing route and would be a lovely marathon in autumn sunshine on dry tracks. Lovely views. Along the way New Forest ponies would cut across the path in a stampede. You do not appreciate just how big these are until they are less than 2 metres away. It is the same with the cattle, also free to roam where they choose. It was quite scary at times passing them. Further along you come to junctions used by livestock, is it mud or something worse? all mushed up by runners and the rain.
The route passes some amazing sequoia trees and in the heart of this was a very lovely hotel.
The marshals were very supportive despite standing in the rain for hours and giving up their Sunday, supporting us running nutters. At the finish you get a few goodies, a rather plain medal and a free good quality T-shirt which was a Barbie shocking pink in 2025, so I gave mine to my step daughter!
My time was a disappointing 5 hours 31 minutes. Given the appalling weather I’ll take that.
Be aware to expect really bad traffic jams as you leave and through Lyndhurst.
