From the town
to the trail.
Eight miles. A perfect introduction to trail running through the most unique urban-to-nature setting in the UK. Bournemouth's only trail running event straight from Bournemouth Square into the pines of Meyrick Park and beyond.
The concept
Town. To trail.
You start in the heart of it all — Bournemouth Square — and within minutes you're running through tree-lined paths, open parkland and quiet trails that feel miles away from everything.
Bournemouth Square. The pergola start line. A proper send-off.
Pines, parkland and quiet trails through Meyrick Park.
The route
8 miles, fully signed.
The course is fully marked with GPX files available for extra certainty. Out on course there's a single aid station at Mile 5 inside Meyrick Park — water, snacks, and a friendly face.
- Mixed terrain — wide paths, narrow trails, possibly slippy if it's wet.
- Marshalled road crossings (we stop runners, not traffic).
- Toilets at start, finish and ~6km at Meyrick Park Club.
- Just 81 metres of total elevation gain — gentle and beginner-friendly.
- GPX file available ahead of race day.
Course map
Full route. A looped course starting and ending by Bournemouth Square
What to expect
A perfect introduction to trail running.
Town to Trail is a beginner-friendly run designed for first-timers and experienced road runners looking for their first taste of dirt. Expect a bit of mixed terrain, a bit of adventure, and a proper welcome home with a big medal, drinks and cake.
There'll be partners on site too — so hang around, cheer the rest of the field in, sunbathe, chat, relax. Celebrate properly.
Sand, hills, uneven trail. Trail shoes recommended. If you can cover 5km in an hour, you'll finish fine.
Information
Everything you need.
Race Day Schedule
Run Easy · Sole Clinic × Eightmile training
Build to the race — 5K to 10K in 10 weeks.
Run Easy is a 10-week social training programme built around Town to Trail, run by our co-host partners at Sole Clinic with support from Eightmile Events. It's our highly recommended on-ramp for anyone new to 10–15K events — and a brilliantly social way into trail running. Focus across the 10 weeks is a steady, supported 5K to 10K progression so you arrive on race day ready.
Wednesday 10th June — 10-week programme, 6:30pm.
Alternates Poole (Running Free shop) & Southbourne (location TBC).
Gil (Sole Clinic) & Felicity (Eightmile), with Sole Clinic run leaders.
£10 for Sole Clinic members · £15 for non-members — covering the full 10-week programme. You sign up directly when you book Town to Trail: just hit Sign Up and add the Run Easy 10-week social training ticket alongside your event entry.
Get a discount off your Town to Trail entry — claim it at checkout.
Gallery
From town to trail.
A look at the route, the landmarks and the landscape — straight from Bournemouth Square into the pines of Meyrick Park.
Working with
Local businesses and organisations who add genuine value to our runners and the open spaces we run in.
Our main partner — we're delivering Town to Trail together with Sole Clinic, Bournemouth's running social.
The events crew behind Town to Trail and our wider series of beginner-friendly runs.
The UK's No.1 athlete-owned endurance sports nutrition shop — Maurten, Tailwind, Precision Fuel & Hydration and 110+ top brands.
Independent running shop in Poole. Trail, road and race kit, plus expert gait analysis and fitting.
Hosting our mid-course aid station deep inside the park.
Earn something memorable.
You finish to more than a clock time. A proper welcome home, well-earned goodie bags, age-graded recognition, spot prizes — and a medal that marks the effort you've put in.
